CPS Energy Group Executive Vice President and Chief Delivery Officer Jelynne LeBlanc-Burley, who helped navigate the public utility through some of its more turbulent waters, is leaving her position at the end of February, a spokesperson confirmed Thursday.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Jelynne for eight years, and I can assure you she will be missed for both her knowledge and determination,” stated interim CEO Paula Gold-Williams in an announcement email sent to employees Wednesday morning.
She’s leaving to pursue “other opportunities,” according to the email.
LeBlanc-Burley, a Lousiana native, started at CPS Energy as a chief administrative officer in 2008. Just four months after her promotion to acting general manager in 2009, she was tasked with steering a $1 billion, tumultuous settlement agreement with NRG Energy to exit a controversial South Texas Project nuclear expansion deal. Her management of the deal, widely viewed as a success, put her on the short list of candidates for CEO in 2010.
Doyle Beneby, who had several years of experience leading the Chicago-based energy giant Exelon Power, was selected for the position. Beneby left CPS Energy in October 2015 to lead New Generation Power International (NGPI), an international independent renewable energy company based in Chicago. Contract negotiations between CPS Energy’s board and a single candidate are ongoing.
Previous to CPS Energy, LeBlanc-Burley spent 24 years at City Hall, leaving in 2008 as the City’s deputy city manager for Planning and Development.
LeBlanc-Burley is active in the Eastside community and chairs the San Antonio for Growth on the Eastside board and holds leadership positions at various nonprofits and organizations including Christus Santa Rosa Health System, Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas, San Antonio Hispanic Chamber, Alamo Colleges Advisory Council, and United Way.
“What I’ve liked best about my work are the people, the people I’ve worked with and served,” LeBlanc-Burley stated. “After years of dedicated service previously with the City of San Antonio, and now feeling accomplished and satisfied with a solid body of work here at CPS Energy, I am ready for a new chapter in my life.”
Its unknown if CPS Energy leadership will hire her replacement from within or consider applicants from outside the utility, according to CPS Energy spokesman Paul Flaningan.
*Top image: CPS Energy Group Executive Vice President and Chief Delivery Officer Jelynne LeBlanc-Burley presents Google Fiber infrastructure details to the board during a December 2015 meeting. Photo by Scott Ball.
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