HOUSTON, Dec. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In conjunction
with the CenterPoint Energy Board of Directors' continued focus on
a comprehensive succession planning process to support the
company's long-term growth, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP)
today announced leadership promotions and appointments that will
further strengthen its existing management capabilities.
"I am proud that CenterPoint Energy continues to have a strong
team of committed and experienced utility professionals at its
helm. These leadership promotions and appointments highlight our
focus on succession planning as we execute on our long-term growth
strategy," said Martin Nesbitt,
Board Chair. "As we embark on this next phase of our journey, we
are excited about the future of our company and the strength and
depth of our leadership."
President and CEO Dave Lesar
said, "As we continue to transform CenterPoint Energy into an
industry-leading, premium utility company, consistent performance
will require a strong, diverse and talented team that is committed
to delivering quality results to our customers, shareholders and
communities. These leaders, as well as our entire workforce, are
well prepared to take on the opportunities for CenterPoint Energy
as we execute our strategy, which includes increasing our five-year
capital plan to more than $18 billion
and our first-ever 10-year capital plan of more than $40 billion. These capital investments will be
dedicated to safety, reliability, growth and enabling clean energy
investments to benefit our customers and our investors. I am
confident that today's announcement will better position us to
achieve our strategic priorities."
The following promotions and appointments to CenterPoint
Energy's Executive Committee, which is responsible for the
company's strategic direction, planning and execution, are
effective on January 1, 2022. These
individuals will continue to report to Lesar.
Scott E. Doyle, who
currently serves as Executive Vice President, Natural Gas, has been
named Executive Vice President, Utility Operations. In addition to
leading the company's natural gas operations utility footprint,
natural gas supply, natural gas engineering, and operations
support, Doyle will now also lead CenterPoint Energy's electric
business that serves more than 2.7 million metered customers in the
greater Houston area and
southwestern Indiana, as well as
1,300 megawatts of electric generation capacity in Indiana.
Lynne Harkel-Rumford, who
currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources
Officer, has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief
Human Resources Officer. In addition to her current
responsibilities, which include talent, compensation and benefits,
labor relations, learning and organizational development,
communications and community relations, and corporate security,
Harkel-Rumford will now also lead the company's safety and
technical training organization.
Monica Karuturi, who
currently serves as Senior Vice President and General Counsel, has
been promoted to Executive Vice President and General Counsel. In
addition to her current responsibilities, which include legal,
claims, environmental, insurance, enterprise risk management and
ethics, compliance and privacy, Karuturi will now also lead
CenterPoint Energy's procurement, materials and logistics
organization, which will be instrumental in the company's
$40 billion-plus capital program over
the next 10 years.
Jason M. Ryan, who
currently serves as Senior Vice President, Regulatory Services and
Government Affairs, has been promoted to Executive Vice President,
Regulatory Services and Government Affairs. Ryan will be
responsible for leading state and federal legislative initiatives
to support enterprise-wide goals, as well as managing the company's
rate cases and relationships with its regulators.
Gregory E. Knight,
Executive Vice President, Customer Transformation and Business
Services, will continue in his current role and lead customer
operations, information technology, marketing, economic
development, and CenterPoint Energy's two competitive businesses –
Energy Systems Group (ESG) and Home Service Plus (HSP) North and
South. In addition, he will also add to his responsibilities the
leadership of the company's facilities management organization
where he will be developing a new enterprise-wide multi-year
facilities strategy and plan.
Jason P. Wells, Executive
Vice President and CFO, will continue in his current role, while
adding responsibility for the execution of the company's
industry-leading goals for reducing carbon emissions attributable
to its operations and customer usage. In this capacity, Wells will
now also lead the execution of the company's long-term generation
transition plan to significantly change the way the company
generates power and delivers on its commitment to provide a
cost-effective, well-balanced energy mix for its customers in
southwest Indiana.
Kenneth M. Mercado,
Executive Vice President, Electric Utility, will retire from
CenterPoint Energy after more than 36 years of service. Mercado
began his career with the company and has held numerous positions
of increasing responsibility until becoming a member of CenterPoint
Energy's Executive Committee in 2020. Mercado will remain in his
current position through January 1,
2022 and then remain with the company through the second
quarter 2022 to support the transition of his responsibilities.
Lesar said, "I want to thank Kenny for his many contributions
over the course of his career with CenterPoint Energy and his
outstanding leadership within our company, across our industry and
in our communities. He has been a valued member of our leadership
team and played an instrumental role in guiding the successful
performance and growth of our electric business. I wish Kenny the
very best in his retirement."
About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
As the only investor-owned electric and gas utility based in
Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
(NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric
transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas
distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered
customers in Arkansas,
Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas. As of September
30, 2021, the company owned approximately $37 billion in assets. With approximately 9,500
employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have
been in business for more than 150 years. For more information,
visit CenterPointEnergy.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
When used in this news release, the words "anticipate," "believe,"
"continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal,"
"intend," "may," "objective," "plan," "potential," "predict,"
"projection," "should," "target," "will" or other similar words are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of management
which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are
subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual events and
results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by
these forward-looking statements. Any statements in this news
release regarding future events, such as the Company's
succession planning, rate base growth and the Company's ability to
achieve it, the Company's ability to execute on its 10-year plan
within a certain timeframe or at all, and any other statements that
are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Each
forward-looking statement contained in this news release speaks
only as of the date of this release. Important factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by
the provided forward-looking information include risks and
uncertainties relating to: (1) the impact of COVID-19; (2)
financial market conditions; (3) general economic conditions; (4)
the timing and impact of future regulatory and legislative
decisions; (5) effects of competition; (6) weather variations; (7)
changes in business plans; and (8) other factors, risks and
uncertainties discussed in CenterPoint Energy's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2020, CenterPoint Energy's Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q for the quarters ended March 31,
2021, June 30, 2021 and
September 30, 2021 and other reports
CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For more information
Media:
Communications
Media.Relations@CenterPointEnergy.com
Investors:
Philip Holder / Jackie
Richert
713.207.6500
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SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc.