CPS Energy has officially launched its search for a new trustee to replace Ed Kelley as the former business executive’s second five-year term comes to a close.
The city-owned utility announced last week that its five-member board is seeking applications from people who live in Quadrant 1, which covers the northwest quarter of the county, currently represented by Kelley. Four trustees each represent a quadrant; the fifth trustee is Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who serves in his capacity as mayor.
Kelley’s final term will end on Jan. 31, 2022.
Kelley will help select his replacement, he told the San Antonio Report Wednesday. The entire board votes to appoint a replacement, then the City Council votes to approve the new trustee. Kelley said he is hoping to see another businessperson take his place to help balance the board; each existing board member represents a strong tie to a different area of specialty, Kelley said.
Chairman Dr. Willis Mackey is a former educator, Vice Chair Janie Gonzalez understands small businesses and cybersecurity, John Steen is a lawyer, and the mayor serves as a political bridge, Kelley said.
“I would like to make sure that we have somebody that has at least as much or more business experience than what I brought to the table,” Kelley said.
Kelley served as president of USAA Real Estate Co., for almost 17 years. In the 1990s, he chaired the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. He served on the board of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation, recently rebranded as Greater: SATX, from 2004 to 2005. He was appointed to the CPS Energy board in 2011.
Whoever is chosen will need to be able to balance residents’ financial expectations with moving the utility toward clean energy, Kelley said. While CPS Energy has “made strides to offset our carbon footprint,” it’s important to also help keep the utility financially viable, he said.
In the past, Kelley has voiced opposition to some of the utility’s environmental efforts, including its resolution to support the city’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, and the utility’s Rate Advisory Committee, which he said will increase the “bureaucratization and politicization of this company, which leads to mediocrity.”
Since February, the board has been tasked with addressing challenges made apparent during the coronavirus pandemic and the winter storm, Kelley said. Kelley said his successor will need to be someone who is ready to help tackle such issues.
“The biggest challenge that my replacement, along with the rest of the board, is going to face for the next several years is the resolution of the issues coming out of the winter storm,” Kelley said. “It’s no secret that we’re facing a billion dollars in excess charges that were unanticipated.”
Kelley said he is looking forward to seeing who applies and to take a step back from the board at the end of his tenure. During his 10 years serving on the board, Kelley said he’s enjoyed serving the people of San Antonio and helping usher CPS Energy into a new era at its new headquarters.
The trustee application can be accessed at www.cpsenergy.com/trustees or obtained at the CPS Energy Headquarters. The application deadline is Wednesday, Aug. 31 by 5 p.m. The new term begins in February 2022. For more information about how to apply, call (210) 353-3212 or email trustees@cpsenergy.com.
Disclosure: CPS Energy is a San Antonio Report business member.
