Central Hudson Gas and Electric has a new president and CEO.

The utility's board of directors announced today that Christopher M. Capone will take over the leadership of the company.

Capone has worked for the company for 20 years.

It comes two weeks after Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan made a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, calling for the resignation of former president and CEO Charles Freni.

Ryan, area politicians and customers have criticized the utility for the rollout of a new customer billing system.

A recent report by the State Public Service Commission outlined thousands of billing errors.

Capone says addressing that issue will be a top priority.

He says a significant number of additional personnel have been hired to work around the clock on the issues.

In a statement, Ryan said he was encouraged by the actions but that now “they must take urgent action to fix their broken systems and repay customers who were wronged.”