DENVER — David W. Crane, the president and CEO of the publicly traded NRG Energy Inc., wore a curious tie to his breakfast meeting with New Mexico Democrats in Denver on Tuesday morning.

Specifically, little elephants dotted Crane’s red tie, details that didn’t go unnoticed by Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Brian Colón.

 

“Look at those!” said a good-natured, smiling Colón. “He’s wearing a red tie with elephants all over it!”

 

Crane looked down sheepishly at his tie, apparently unaware of his odd choice of neckwear at the breakfast meeting of the New Mexico delegation to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

 

The Crowne Plaza Hotel breakfast was sponsored, in part, by NRG.

 

In his brief remarks, Crane touted his company’s commitment to a diverse energy portfolio, including renewable energy. He also seemed to signal an affinity with the assembled Democrats.

 

“Hopefully, they will go back with a larger Democratic majority,” he said, referring to the state’s presently split congressional delegation. The assembled Democratic delegation applauded the sentiment.

 

Crane was one of three breakfast speakers; the others included U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman – chairman of the Senate Energy Committee – as well as a representative of the Service Employees International Union.

 

According to NRG’s Web site, the company has an ownership interest in 44 power generating facilities worldwide. Nearly half of the company’s net energy production comes from Texas.

 

According to a Forbes.com post from 2007, Crane’s total compensation was calculated at $12.29 million since he was tapped to lead the energy firm at the end of 2003.