Former State Sen. Andreas Borgeas (R–Fresno) is leaning into his Greek heritage in his first job since wrapping up his service in the California State Senate.
The Fresno Republican announced Thursday that he is joining the EUNICE group as CEO of Greece-Africa Power Interconnector (GAP), a transnational electricity interconnection project between Greece and Egypt.
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The backstory: Borgeas found himself in the hunt for a new job thanks – in part – to the independent California Redistricting Commission, which combined parts of his former district with Sen. Shannon Grove’s (R–Bakersfield) Kern County and Tulare County based district.
- With Grove signaling her campaign for the 12th district – which she ultimately won – Borgeas’s only other option if he wanted to avoid an intra-party battle would be to move north to the sprawling 4th district, which was eventually claimed by Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil (D–Jackson) after too many Republicans fought over the heavily GOP district and knocked each other out.
- Borgeas’s decision to forego reelection capped a 13-year political career that saw him serve on the Fresno City Council and the Fresno County Board of Supervisors in addition to the Senate.
State of play: As the CEO of GAP, Borgeas will work with leaders from Greece, Egypt and the European Union to accelerate the completion of the ongoing electrical interconnection project.
- Borgeas will help bring renewable energy generated in Egypt through underwater cabling into Greece and other parts of Europe.
- The project also serves to help make Europe more energy independent and divest from Russian energy.
What they’re saying: “It is a great honor for me to join a project of vital importance for European interests, highlighting Greece’s role as an energy leader and hub in the SE MEditerranean and Europe, aside a team of industry leaders with extensive experience and technical expertise,” Borgeas said in a statement.
