GDS Associates has appointed Gary Cooley as Chief Financial Officer, adding an executive with more than three decades of financial leadership experience across engineering, consulting, and advisory businesses. Cooley will lead the company’s financial, accounting, and operations management functions.
GDS provides power consulting and advisory services to the U.S. utility industry. The company said Cooley’s experience scaling professional services organizations and executing acquisitions will support its broader growth strategy.
Cooley most recently served as Chief Corporate Development Officer and CFO of Anser Advisory. In that role, he oversaw financial management and led mergers, acquisitions, and integrations, including Anser Advisory’s acquisition by Accenture.
Earlier in his career, Cooley spent about a decade with Arcadis North America. He initially served as division CFO before becoming Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, where he led strategic partnerships, acquisitions, and divestitures.
Cooley was also CFO and a board member of PinnacleOne and helped lead the company through its sale to Arcadis. He holds an MBA from San Diego State University and a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of San Diego.
The appointment comes as GDS continues to build out its leadership team and invest in expansion. The company named Miki Deric as CEO in September 2026, while Daniel Powers joined as Chief Development Officer in April to lead its acquisition strategy.
GDS also partnered with Littlejohn & Co. earlier in 2026 to support its long-term growth plans.
Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Marietta, Georgia, GDS provides services spanning planning and analysis, rates and regulatory strategy, energy efficiency, and transmission and distribution engineering.
KEY QUOTES:
“Gary has spent his career successfully scaling professional services firms with discipline and steady leadership, and we are pleased to welcome him to the team. His track record of executing and integrating acquisitions, along with his broader financial acumen, will be instrumental to GDS’ ability to invest in our people, broaden the services we provide to our clients nationwide, and create new growth opportunities.”
Miki Deric, CEO of GDS Associates
“GDS has built a business with a tremendous reputation for technical excellence, reflecting the strength and dedication of its team. I look forward to working alongside Miki and the entire team to build on that legacy and execute on the opportunities for growth at GDS.”
Gary Cooley, Chief Financial Officer of GDS Associates
