CPS Energy has named Rudy Garza as interim president and CEO; he is the first Hispanic to ever serve in the role.

The announcement from the Board of Trustees comes after incumbent president & CEO Paula Gold-Williams announced on Oct. 20 that she will be retiring.

Garza officially began his role on Nov. 8. He originally joined CPS Energy in 2012 as vice president of operations for over four years before becoming senior vice president of distribution services & operations, and more recently was chief customer & stakeholder engagement officer for the company. 

“The Board is confident that Mr. Garza will serve in this role with enthusiasm and a focus on restoring the trust of our customers,” CPS Energy Board Chair Dr. Willis Mackey said in the news release. 

Garza has over 25 years of experience in the electric and natural gas utility industry, and has served in both the public and private sectors throughout his professional career. 

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to serve this organization and our community,” Garza said in the news release. “I want to thank the Board for entrusting me in this role and I want to thank Paula for her personal mentorship of me through my career here at CPS Energy.”

“My focus will be to ensure our employees and systems are prepared for the winter months and to rebuild the trust of our community. The CPS Energy team remains committed to working every day to provide our community with the service they expect,” he continued. 

Prior to joining CPS, Garza served as assistant city manager and intergovernmental relations director in Corpus Christi, and also worked for TXU Corporation in Dallas for 13 years. 

He is a graduate of The University of Texas in Austin, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering before earning an MBA from the University of North Texas. 

Mackey and CPS Energy Vice Chair Janie Gonzalez will lead the CEO search committee, and trustees will select a third-party search firm. 

Gold-Williams will remain with the company and provide assistance until her departure in January 2022, while a national search for a permanent CEO takes place.

“I know Rudy will leave CPS Energy’s dedicated team members successfully and I am committed to supporting him through my planned departure in early 2022,” she said. 

CPS Energy is the nation's largest municipally owned energy utility providing both natural gas and electric service.