Rob Clark named new chief communications officer of Xcel Energy
Clark will oversee communications to customers, employees and other key stakeholders
Today, Xcel Energy named Rob Clark as our senior vice president, chief communications officer. In the newly created role, Clark will serve on the company’s executive committee.
“Rob’s expertise leading global organizations will bring a holistic, integrated approach to communications across all of the ways we connect with our co-workers, customers, regulators, legislators and other key stakeholders,” said Bob Frenzel, Xcel Energy’s chairman, president and CEO. “As we lead the transition to a cleaner energy economy, it’s critical that we elevate our communications with stakeholders to ensure alignment on our common goals of safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy.”
Clark will lead our strategic communications and brand marketing functions. This integrated team will encompass advertising, digital content and customer insights; media relations and social media; executive and internal communications; jurisdictional communications; content and channel strategy; and creative services.
“Xcel Energy has established itself as a national leader in the clean energy transition, and I’m excited to partner with my Xcel Energy colleagues to help shape and tell our unique story,” Clark said. “And what a compelling story it is: Xcel Energy is rapidly evolving to meet society’s carbon-free aspirations, all while continuing to deliver an essential service that powers homes and businesses, helping people live full lives and driving economic growth in the communities we serve.”
In 2018, Xcel Energy was the first electric provider in the U.S. to set a vision to deliver 100% carbon-free electricity to customers across the eight states we serve. Since then, the company has put that vision into action by continuing to retire coal plants and adding nation-leading amounts of renewable generation to our system. Xcel Energy is on track to fully exit coal by 2030, with more than half of our energy generated by carbon-free resources including wind, solar and nuclear. The company has a successful track record of making progress while maintaining reliability, keeping customers’ bills affordable, and working with communities and employees to manage the transition.
Based in Minneapolis, Clark’s extensive background in marketing and communications spans energy, healthcare and other regulated industries. He most recently was a managing director for FGS Global, advising clients on corporate reputation and positioning, major business transactions and shareholder actions.
He previously served as head of global communications for ExxonMobil, overseeing media relations, executive and employee communications, advertising, and digital and social media. With two decades of experience in the healthcare sector, Rob was chief communications officer at Medtronic for seven years and has held senior leadership roles in marketing, communications and public affairs at Caris Life Sciences and Optum, a unit of UnitedHealth Group.
A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Clark is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Institute for Public Relations and the Dean’s Advisory Council for the University of Florida College of Communications and Journalism.