Outgoing CPS Energy President and CEO Doyle Beneby has agreed to stay at the utility for another month, through October, at which time Chief Financial Officer Paula Gold-Williams will take over as interim CEO. Gold-Williams has been with CPS Energy for 11 years and will take over on Nov. 1.
“As evident with my willingness to remain on for another month, ensuring a successful transition here at CPS Energy is a priority for me,” Beneby stated via email. “I’ve notified my new company and they understand the importance of our process.”
Beneby has previously said that he’ll be working from San Antonio for at least one year. He announced his pending resignation from CPS Energy in August after months of board consideration of his compensation package. After five years at CPS Energy, he has been tapped to lead New Generation Power International (NGPI), an international independent renewable energy company based in Chicago. Before Monday’s announcement, his “last day” was to be Sept. 30.
A farewell speech and ceremony in Beneby’s honor will take place Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.
Chair Nora Chavez said it was too soon to tell if the next CEO will be selected from existing leadership or brought in from outside the municipally-owned utility, which is one of the largest in the nation. Korn Ferry, a Los Angeles-based recruitment consultant, has been hired to guide the personnel committee, led by Chavez and board member Edward Kelley, in a national search for a replacement.
“CPS Energy has 3,000 wonderful employees. I just get the opportunity to represent them and support them,” Gold-Williams said. “It’s an honor and I’m just going to do my best for everyone and the community.”
According to CPS Energy’s website, Gold-Williams joined CPS energy in 2004 and was named executive vice president and chief administrative officer and controller in 2008. She held “various positions in several San Antonio businesses, including regional controller for Time-Warner Cable and vice president of finance for Luby’s Inc.”
*Top image: Chief Financial Officer Paula Gold-Williams (left) will serve as interim CEO of CPS Energy. Photo by Scott Ball.
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