Susan M. Crossett Joins Harris Beach as Energy Industry Advisor

Former National Grid Vice President Provides Public Affairs, Communications and Corporate Strategy Consulting          

Susan M. Crossett of Fayetteville has joined Harris Beach as a public affairs, communications and corporate strategy advisor to the clients of the Harris Beach Energy Industry Team.  She also delivers consulting services through the Harris Beach consulting subsidiary, HB Solutions LLC. 

“Susan brings an in-depth background in government, regulatory, public affairs, and corporate management.  Her unique skills and management experience will be a significant benefit to our energy clients statewide,” said William M. Flynn, leader of the Harris Beach Energy Industry Team.

As a former corporate executive in large corporations, Ms. Crossett provides an overall public affairs and communications strategy for clients, tied to their global and regional business objectives.  Additionally, Ms. Crossett assists client management in formulating and executing strategic goals to engage stakeholders which could positively impact the client’s ability to operate successfully.  She also works with management teams to review organizational structure as a means to streamline processes. 

Ms. Crossett was previously vice president of U. S. Economic Development and Community Investment at National Grid, where she was responsible for economic development, community investment and stakeholder groups for U. S. business, managing approximately $40 million in special contracts for gas and electric customers.  She served as senior executive handling media, customer, community, and industry relations.  Ms. Crossett began her career at National Grid in 2002 as vice president of Public Affairs, where she was responsible for establishing strategic direction and management of public affairs with overall responsibility for New York state legislative and regulatory arenas with local and federal governmental integration. 

In 2007, she was named vice present of Energy Solutions Services, where she managed relationships for large industrial and commercial accounts, and forged strategic partnerships between National Grid, customers, and New York state agencies.  In this role, Ms. Crossett represented National Grid’s interests on numerous economic development groups and led a group of business leaders in the successful merger of two such groups; led a team to collaborate with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to develop the state’s first combined public/private virtual energy efficiency program for hospitals; and oversaw National Grid’s relationship with Global Foundries and Luther Forest, the state’s largest economic development project.

Prior to her National Grid experience, Ms. Crossett served as executive director of Government Affairs and Regulatory Relations at Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation.  From 1996-1999, Ms. Crossett served as Carrier Corporation’s manager of Government Affairs.  Prior to Carrier Corporation, Ms Crossett was vice president of Government Relations at the Manufacturer’s Association of Central New York.  From 1985-1991, Ms. Crossett was director of Government Relations and assistant executive director of the Associated Builders and Contractors Association.

Community Involvement
Ms. Crossett is the 2012 chair of the Go Red for Women (American Heart Association Campaign).  She serves on the boards of Mercy Health and Rehabilitation Center, Women in Communications and Energy, Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems, and is immediate past chair of CenterState CEO.  She was a regional member of the Commission on Healthcare Facilities in the 21st Century.   She chaired the 2010-2011United Way of Central New York Campaign and serves on the Golisano Children’s Hospital Advisory Board.  Ms. Crossett is a committee member of the Francis House Endowment Campaign and is a charter board member of the Partners in Franciscan Ministries. 

Ms. Crossett served on the boards of the National Grid Foundation, the Manufacturer’s Association of Central New York, Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, Museum of Science and Technology, and Syracuse Stage.  She served on the boards and executive committees of the Center for Economic Growth (Eastern New York), and the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise (Western New York).  Ms. Crossett served as chair of the steering committee and was a member of the energy committee of the Business Council of New York State.  She also served as chair of the board of directors of the Metropolitan Development Association of Central New York and chair of the board of directors of Literacy Volunteers of Central New York. 

She is a former charter board member of the Central New York Math and Science Charter School.  Ms. Crossett was an Achievement Award Honoree of ARC of Onondaga in June 2011, winner of the American Red Cross “Women in Business” Award in 2010, among the first Central New York Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” class in 1998.

Educational Background
Ms. Crossett holds a MA in public administration and a BA in political science from Syracuse University.  She participated in the following professional development programs: National Grid Senior Leadership Workshop, 2010; National Grid Officer Training for Finance, 2010; National Grid Developing Business Leaders, 2006-2007; MIT-Harvard Public Disputes Program, “Dealing with an Angry Public,” 2006; National Grid Executive Education at The Wharton School, 2006; and the Centre for High Performance Development in London, 2006.       

About Harris Beach      
Founded in 1856, Harris Beach and its affiliates provide a full range of legal and professional services for clients across New York state as well as nationally.  Clients include Fortune 500 corporations, health care providers, privately-held companies, emerging technology businesses, financial institutions, not-for-profit organizations, foundations, state and local governments and authorities, and individuals.  Harris Beach has more than 200 lawyers and is one of the country’s Top 250 law firms as ranked by The National Law Journal.  The firm has offices throughout New York state in Albany, Buffalo, Ithaca, Lockport, New York City, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, Uniondale, White Plains, and Yonkers, as well as Newark, New Jersey and New Haven, Connecticut.

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