Xcel Energy announces leadership changes
Xcel Energy announced today several changes to its executive leadership team. Brett Carter, executive vice president, group president of Utilities and chief customer officer, is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities. Current executive vice president, chief legal and compliance officer Amanda Rome has been named to this role, effective immediately. The company’s four operating company presidents and customer organization leaders will report to Rome.
Ryan Long, vice president and deputy general counsel, will step in as general counsel and oversee the legal and corporate compliance group on an interim basis.
“Xcel Energy has extraordinary opportunities in the next decade to lead the clean energy transition, and I’m excited by the team we have assembled to deliver on our business and customer strategy,” said Bob Frenzel, Xcel Energy’s chairman, president and CEO. “Our workers are committed to providing reliable, safe energy service while keeping bills low for customers as we achieve our ambitious clean energy goals.”
Carter will remain available for Xcel Energy’s leadership transition through the end of the year.
Rome joined Xcel Energy in 2015 and was promoted to general counsel in 2020 and chief legal and compliance officer in 2021. She previously worked as a litigator at Faegre Baker Daniels in Minneapolis and Winston & Strawn in Chicago. Rome serves on several boards, including Energy Insurance Mutual and the University of Idaho Energy Executive Course.
In his role as deputy general counsel, Long managed Xcel Energy’s legal teams responsible for federal and state regulatory, environmental and real estate matters. Before joining the company in 2015, he worked as a litigator for Faegre Baker Daniels in Minneapolis and Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York City. Long currently serves on the board of directors for Project for Pride in Living, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit.
Xcel Energy announces leadership changes
Xcel Energy announced several key leadership changes designed to advance the company’s groundbreaking commitment to lead the company’s clean energy transition. Transforming the grid to meet evolving energy needs is a key priority for the company.
Alice Jackson, current president of Xcel Energy – Colorado, is appointed to senior vice president, System Strategy and chief planning officer, leading a new enterprise-wide System Planning organization. It will focus on developing integrated plans for generation, transmission and distribution on the electric and natural gas systems to meet our vision to deliver net-zero energy by 2050 while preserving reliability and affordability for customers.
“This innovative approach to strategic planning is transformative for our industry and Alice is the perfect person to lead the charge as a proven business leader who has engaged employees, communities and stakeholders to deliver on our nation leading clean energy vision,” said Bob Frenzel, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy.
The company is also announcing new presidents for both our Colorado and Texas – New Mexico operating companies.
Robert Kenney will succeed Alice Jackson as the new president of Xcel Energy – Colorado. Kenney currently serves as senior vice president of Regulatory and External Affairs for PG&E, leading the company’s regulatory strategy and execution with California’s Public Utilities Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. He’s also responsible for the company’s governmental affairs and community relations efforts, including oversight of PG&E’s charitable giving and corporate foundation. Prior to PG&E, Kenney was the chair of the Missouri Public Service Commission.
Adrian Rodriguez has been elected to the role of president for Xcel Energy – Texas and New Mexico as David Hudson retires. He currently serves as the senior vice president of Regulatory and Strategy at Puget Sound Energy (PSE), leading the company’s clean energy strategy including regulatory and governmental affairs. Prior to PSE, Rodriguez was General Counsel and interim-CEO of El Paso Electric.
“We’re so fortunate to have such outstanding talent joining our already robust leadership team, said Brett Carter, executive vice president, group president - Utilities and chief customer officer. These changes position us for great success in the regulatory and stakeholder arenas as we grow our business to meet customers’ evolving energy needs.”
Rodriguez will join Xcel Energy June 1, with current Xcel Energy – Texas and New Mexico President David Hudson officially retiring July 1. Kenney will join Xcel Energy and assume his new role on June 6.