Richard J. Mark, chairman and president, Ameren Illinois, announced his intention to retire effective Aug. 1, 2022. Mark was promoted to president of Ameren Illinois in 2012 after 10 years in executive leadership for Ameren Missouri. Leonard “Lenny” Singh, an executive with more than 30 years of utility experience, is the next chairman and president of Ameren Illinois. With extensive experience in both electric and natural gas operations, Singh most recently served as senior vice president for Consolidated Edison Company of New York.
Phil Lembo stepped down as chief financial officer of Eversource Energy. John Moreira, senior vice president and treasurer, was elected to replace Lembo as part of Eversource Energy’s leadership succession plan. Moreira also continues as Eversource Energy’s treasurer.
Fortis Inc. announced the retirement of Nora Duke, executive vice president, sustainability, and chief human resources officer, after a 36-year career with the corporation. Jim Reid, executive vice president, chief legal officer and corporate secretary, was appointed executive vice president, sustainability, and chief legal officer, assuming oversight of sustainability, human resources, communications and government relations, in addition to his legal and governance portfolio.
NiSource Inc. announced Melody Birmingham joined the company as executive vice president and chief innovation officer, responsible for the company’s transformation office, information technology, communications, customer, aviation, real estate, corporate security and supply chain management. William “Bill” Jefferson also joined NiSource’s leadership team as executive vice president, operations, and chief safety officer. Jefferson oversees emergency response, engineering and asset management, environmental health and safety, field operations support, major projects, operational excellence, work management and contractor support. Chuck Shafer leads health, safety and environmental execution, reporting to Jefferson. In addition, Melanie Berman, the company’s senior vice president and chief human resources officer, was elevated to the executive leadership team.
Southwest Gas Holdings Inc. announced that the Southwest Gas board of directors appointed Karen S. Haller, executive vice president, as president and CEO. Haller succeeds John P. Hester, who retired; he also resigned his position on the board. Justin Brown was appointed as president, Southwest Gas Corporation, where he will work closely with Haller, who remains CEO of the utility. In addition, Laura S. Nelson, Ph.D., joined the company as its new vice president of sustainability and public policy.
Xcel Energy announced Alice Jackson, president of Xcel Energy–Colorado, was appointed to senior vice president, system strategy, and chief planning officer, leading a new enterprise-wide system planning organization. Robert Kenney succeeds Jackson as the new president of Xcel Energy–Colorado. Kenney previously served as senior vice president of regulatory and external affairs for PG&E. In addition, Adrian Rodriguez was elected to the role of president for Xcel Energy–Texas and New Mexico as David Hudson retires. Rodriguez previously served as the senior vice president of regulatory and strategy at Puget Sound Energy.