NRG People Power: Get to Know Al Lussier

Welcome back to another look behind the curtain with NRG’s People Power series. We’re proud to spotlight the dynamic individuals who fuel our mission to empower your energy strategy and help you get to know the people behind our products. In this edition, we’re excited to introduce Albert “Al” Lussier, Managing Director of Structured Sales for the East Region.

Meet Albert E. Lussier, III (pronounced LOO-see-ay), or as he prefers, just Al. As relaxed and personable as his nickname, Al has a knack for putting people at ease, building deep relationships, and investing in his team. His philosophy, that “businesses don’t exist without their people,” guides him daily in his role leading Structured Sales for the eastern U.S.

His team is responsible for packaging natural gas, power, and sustainability solutions for large commercial and industrial customers. They foster a layered, well-timed approach to energy purchasing, helping customers play the long game in an ever-changing market.

Al likes to be out in the field with his team, networking with prospective customers and engaging with existing ones. Sales, he says, is an “art,” and in his experience, the best way to hone that skill is face-to-face with the customer.

When he’s not out pursuing business development, Al hosts meetings and strategy sessions for his team and their customers, stays on top of current trends, policies, and procedures, and contributes to the development of new tools our customers can use to manage their energy portfolios.

Al came to the energy industry indirectly, but sales is part of his DNA. As a teenager, he worked in the family business at Nutmeg Pantry, a chain of minimarts with attached gas stations. There, he worked his way up from stocking shelves and learned the deep value of getting to know customers on a personal level, which he still does today.

After college and a first experience in the world of sales, Al eventually returned to the family business, which he ran until it was sold in 1995. After taking some time to spend with his growing family, he started reading about energy deregulation. Hoping to get in on the ground floor of an exciting new field, he reached out to a local utility to see if they were setting up an affiliate; his audacity won him a sales job at what would become Select Energy.

From there, he served in sales and management roles across Select Energy, Hess Energy Marketing, and then Direct Energy Business, which he joined in 2007. There, he stepped into his role building the New England sales team. When Direct Energy became a part of NRG, he took on the task of overseeing the greater Northeast region. In this role, Al uses the lessons learned as a stock boy, retail manager, and sales whiz to bring success to his team every day.

Originally from Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, Al moved to Boston as a child. There, he became an avid hockey player and a big fan of the Bruins. Eventually, this dedicated family man settled in Litchfield, Connecticut with his wife Susan, daughter Victoria, and son Albert “A.J.,” IV.  Ardent Disney fans, the family has visited the “Most Magical Place on Earth” more than 30 times. Al, a proud Ravenclaw, also enjoys the butterbeer at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter while in Orlando.

When not indulging in some homemade chicken cacciatore, reading Tom Clancy books, or planning the next family vacation, Al can be found on the golf course. An enthusiastic player with a single-digit handicap, he proudly wears the traditional “plus fours” golf attire and enjoys a day on the course with friends. “It’s a wonderful way to relax, get to know each other, and build trust,” he professes.

Al believes life and businesses succeed based on relationships. To build trust and lasting ties, it’s important to find what moves people, what inspires them, what is their “why?” and help them achieve that.

In his own life, Al’s “why” is his family and community. He has rung bells for the Salvation Army, served as Rotary President, built homes in Haiti, and was the Cubmaster for the Morris, CT Cub Scout troop. He’s even served as a Justice of the Peace, performing weddings in the community.

In business, Al applies that same philosophy. He wants to know what is important to his customers – beyond just saving money on their energy costs. What are their long-term goals for their business? How can he help them thrive in their communities? How can he empower them to take bold steps to grow into the future of energy? From those conversations, he and his team tailor products, solutions, and a unique service experience to support that “why.” Ultimately, Al believes, this is how NRG continues to build trust and lasting relationships year after year.

Structured Sales – East Region focuses on natural gas, power, and demand response sales to C&I customers, providing customized energy solutions and tailored account support. The team handles pricing strategy, market intel, and expertise across all NRG’s product offerings.