NJNG Appoints Helen Ayotte to Lead Engineering and Asset Management Operations
New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG), the principal regulated subsidiary of New Jersey Resources, has announced the appointment of Helen Ayotte as Vice President of Engineering, Construction and Asset Management, effective immediately. Ayotte will assume the position as longtime company executive John Wyckoff prepares to retire on July 1, 2026, after more than three decades of service with the organization.
The leadership transition marks an important step for NJNG as the utility continues expanding and modernizing its natural gas infrastructure across New Jersey. In her new role, Ayotte will oversee several core operational areas, including engineering, construction management, environmental compliance and strategic asset management initiatives. Her responsibilities will center on maintaining the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the company’s extensive natural gas distribution network while supporting long-term infrastructure growth.
NJNG serves nearly 600,000 customers throughout the state and has built a reputation as one of New Jersey’s leading utility providers. The company has consistently focused on system modernization, environmental responsibility and customer reliability, making the leadership role particularly significant as utilities nationwide face evolving regulatory requirements, infrastructure demands and clean energy expectations.
Steve Westhoven, President and Chief Executive Officer of New Jersey Resources, said Ayotte’s combination of technical expertise and industry leadership experience made her an ideal choice for the position.
According to Westhoven, the utility industry is operating within an increasingly complex environment shaped by infrastructure modernization needs, evolving energy policies and heightened expectations around safety and operational performance. He emphasized that disciplined asset management and strong project execution remain essential to NJNG’s long-term success and customer commitment.
Ayotte’s responsibilities will include directing long-range system reinforcement and expansion planning to accommodate future customer growth and infrastructure needs. She will also manage critical utility facilities and oversee projects designed to strengthen the integrity and resilience of NJNG’s distribution system. In addition, she will play a central role in ensuring environmental and regulatory compliance while advancing investment strategies that support operational safety, customer reliability and long-term system performance.
The appointment comes at a time when many utilities across the United States are increasing investments in infrastructure modernization to improve efficiency, reduce emissions and enhance system resiliency. NJNG has been particularly active in upgrading its network and implementing advanced asset management practices aimed at improving safety and reducing methane emissions from aging infrastructure.
Ayotte brings more than 20 years of energy industry experience to the role, with a background spanning engineering, operations and infrastructure oversight. Prior to joining NJNG, she held leadership positions at several energy and utility organizations, including Cornerstone Energy Services LLC, Summit Utilities Inc. and Unitil Corporation/Northern Utilities.
Throughout her career, she has managed complex infrastructure initiatives and multidisciplinary operational teams while focusing on safety, reliability and long-term asset performance. Her experience includes oversight of utility engineering programs, operational planning, regulatory coordination and large-scale infrastructure improvements.
Industry observers note that utility companies increasingly value leaders who possess both technical expertise and operational management capabilities as energy systems become more interconnected and technologically advanced. Ayotte’s experience across consulting and regulated utility operations positions her well to address these evolving challenges.
The transition also highlights the retirement of John Wyckoff, who has spent more than 30 years with New Jersey Resources and NJNG. During his tenure, Wyckoff played a key role in guiding energy delivery and operational functions for the utility. Company leadership credited him with helping strengthen NJNG’s operational excellence and maintaining high standards for safety and reliability.
Westhoven described Wyckoff as a highly respected leader whose contributions helped build trust among customers, regulators and employees alike. Under his leadership, NJNG continued expanding and modernizing its infrastructure while maintaining strong service reliability and operational performance metrics.
Wyckoff’s retirement closes a significant chapter in the company’s history, particularly as utilities nationwide continue navigating energy transition challenges, regulatory changes and customer expectations for enhanced reliability and environmental stewardship.
NJNG remains one of the largest stand-alone natural gas utilities operating in New Jersey. The company has distinguished itself through significant investments in infrastructure modernization and environmental performance. According to the utility, it operates one of the state’s most environmentally sound natural gas distribution systems and maintains one of the lowest leak rates per mile among New Jersey gas utilities.
The company has also expanded its focus on energy efficiency and customer support initiatives. NJNG offers a range of innovative programs designed to help residential and commercial customers reduce energy consumption and manage costs more effectively. These include financing options, on-bill repayment programs and whole-house energy efficiency solutions intended to improve energy performance while lowering utility expenses.
As energy affordability and sustainability continue becoming major priorities for consumers and policymakers, utilities such as NJNG are increasingly balancing infrastructure investments with customer-focused efficiency programs. Company leaders have stated that maintaining system reliability while advancing environmental goals remains central to their long-term strategy.
NJNG has also received national recognition for customer trust and engagement. In the 2025 Cogent Syndicated Utility Trusted Brand & Customer Engagement Residential Study conducted by Escalent, the company was named one of the most trusted utilities among residential customers. The recognition marked the 11th time in the past 12 years that NJNG earned the distinction for brand trust.
The study evaluates customer perceptions of utility companies across factors such as reliability, communication, environmental commitment and overall customer satisfaction. Industry analysts often view consistent recognition in these areas as a sign of strong operational performance and customer relationship management.
As vice president, Ayotte will likely play an important role in maintaining that customer trust through continued focus on infrastructure reliability, safety standards and operational excellence. Her leadership will also be important as NJNG continues evaluating future energy trends and infrastructure needs across its service territory.
Utilities throughout the Northeast are currently managing a range of pressures, including aging infrastructure replacement, stricter environmental regulations, changing customer energy usage patterns and increasing expectations around sustainability. Companies are also exploring ways to integrate new technologies, improve operational efficiency and enhance resilience against extreme weather events.
For NJNG, long-term infrastructure planning remains essential to ensuring continued reliability for customers while supporting the broader energy goals of the region. Ayotte’s background in engineering and asset oversight is expected to support these ongoing priorities as the company continues investing in modernization and system improvements.
The leadership appointment reinforces NJNG’s broader strategy of combining operational expertise with long-term infrastructure planning to maintain reliable energy delivery while adapting to an evolving energy landscape. With decades of industry experience and a track record of managing complex utility operations, Ayotte is expected to help guide the company through its next phase of growth and modernization.
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