S&P Global Market Intelligence presents a weekly rundown of recent executive management, board and regulatory changes in the energy industry. The moves are listed by sector in reverse chronological order.
Power
* Southern Co. subsidiary Alabama Power Co. named Leigh Davis vice president for customer services, according to a Dec. 22 company release. Davis succeeds Bob Weaver, who was named vice president of special projects in the marketing and business development organization. Both appointments take effect Jan. 1, 2017.
* Gary Pechota, a member of Black Hills Corp.'s board of directors, died Dec. 15. Pechota had served as a director of Black Hills since 2007. He was a member of the board's audit and governance committees. His term on the board was through 2019.
* U.S. Senate Minority Leader-elect Chuck Schumer announced the names of Democratic committee members for the 115th Congress, including lawmakers who will serve on that chamber's energy and environment committees. GOP staff have yet to release a full list of Republican committee members for the new Congress, which convenes Jan. 3, 2017.
* Vivint Solar Inc. on Dec. 19 announced that industry veteran David Bywater was appointed president and CEO on a permanent basis, after having served as the company's interim CEO since May 2. Bywater replaced Greg Butterfield, who resigned following the collapse of Vivint Solar's planned merger with SunEdison Inc.
* Darren Olagues is taking a temporary leave of absence from his position as CEO of Cleco Corporate Holdings LLC and Cleco Power LLC to attend to some personal matters. Senior vice presidents of Cleco and Cleco Power will assume his duties during the leave of absence.
* Black Hills Corp. appointed U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Otto as a board member, effective Jan. 1, 2017. His appointment will temporarily increase the board's size to 11 in order to allow for a smooth transition for anticipated retirements in the next few years.
* Old Dominion Electric Cooperative on Dec. 13 appointed Chad Fowler as a member on the company's board to replace Paul Owen. He will serve on the bylaws and policy, power supply and resources, rate design, and strategic planning committees.
Midstream/gas utility
* Southcross Energy Partners LP appointed Andrew Cameron to its general partner's board of directors as an independent member, effective Jan. 1, 2017. Cameron's appointment increases Southcross Energy Partners GP LLC's board to seven directors. He will be a member of the board's audit and conflicts committees.
* The Spectra Energy Corp and DTE Energy Co. joint venture NEXUS Gas Transmission LLC appointed James Grech as president of the proposed 1.5-MMDth/d NEXUS pipeline project. In his new position, Grech will be in charge of commercial and business development as the 255-mile interstate natural gas pipeline project awaits FERC approval, which is expected in early 2017.
* SemGroup Corp. Chairman John Chlebowski will retire from the company's board, effective Dec. 31, according to a Dec. 14 news release. Thomas McDaniel has been elected to replace him, effective Jan. 1, 2017. Both Chlebowski and McDaniel were founding directors and have served on the SemGroup board since 2009. McDaniel is chairman of the compensation committee and serves on the nominating and corporate governance committee of the board.
Regulatory
* On Dec. 21, Richard Beverly was sworn in to the District of Columbia Public Service Commission as commissioner for a four-year term that extends to June 30, 2020. Beverly replaces former PSC Commissioner Joanne Doddy Fort, a Democrat, who was serving beyond the expiration of her term.
* Former WPX Energy Inc. Vice President Ken McQueen has been appointed cabinet secretary of New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, according to a Dec. 20 news release. McQueen succeeds David Martin, who retired earlier this year.
