Fargo, North Dakota (Dec. 3, 2020) – After a near 40-year career with Xcel Energy, Mark Nisbet, Principal Manager for the company in North Dakota, will retire effective Jan. 15, 2021. With Nisbet’s retirement, Xcel Energy has hired Tony Grindberg to serve as the new Principal Manager.

“Mark has been the face and heart of Xcel Energy’s work for our North Dakota customers and communities for decades, and our success in the state is closely tied to his contributions and leadership,” said Chris Clark, president, Xcel Energy Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. “Mark has worked with our employees, customers, legislators and regulators with a positive, effective style that was all his own. We thank Mark for his decades of service to Xcel Energy and North Dakota and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

“I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished in the state to deliver safe, reliable and affordable energy, reduce carbon emissions and contribute to our North Dakota non-profits and communities,” said Nisbet. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to spend my entire career with wonderful colleagues here at Xcel Energy.”

Mark began his career with the company in 1981, building and upgrading substations in the Red River Valley. He then moved on to the Grand Forks service center where he worked as a janitor and backup warehouseman before being quickly promoted to Customer Business Officer. He spent time in that position visiting with customers daily, learning about their needs while educating them about Xcel Energy. His other roles included serving as the North Dakota leader for Customer Operations, Statewide Training Coordinator, and Minot General Manager. He was ultimately promoted to Principal Manager for North Dakota, a role he successfully led for 18 years.

As Principal Manager in North Dakota, Mark played a key role in the company’s wind energy expansion in North Dakota, which brought more than 600 megawatts of new wind projects to the state and was involved with the company’s industry leading efforts to engage on the national stage with Unmanned Aerial Systems, partnering with the Northern Plains UAS Test Site in Grand Forks. Mark has also been incredibly active in community service, serving on several boards including the United Way, North Dakota EmPower Commission, North Dakota Renewable Energy Council, and Tri-College. He’s also previously served as 2016 Chair of the United Way Cass Clay Campaign, and Chair of the Fargo Moorhead Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Community Partnership.

New Principal Manager

Xcel Energy also announces that the company has hired Tony Grindberg as Principal Manager in North Dakota, and he begins his new role today.

“We’re delighted to bring Tony to Xcel Energy and look forward to his contributions to our company, our customers, and the North Dakota community,” said Clark. “Tony brings a wealth of private and public sector experience and expertise to Xcel Energy that will help maintain and build connections with key stakeholders, drive continued innovation and serve the company well.”

“I’m honored and excited to begin this new role,” said Grindberg. “Xcel Energy is leading the clean energy transition and is also a leader in using new technologies and innovation to improve employee safety, ensure reliability and keep bills low. I look forward to using my experience to further that leadership in North Dakota, work with policy makers and stakeholders, and help the company achieve its goals.”

Prior to joining Xcel Energy, Tony served as Vice President for Workforce Affairs at North Dakota State College of Science in Fargo. He also led the aviation division at Appareo, an international technology company headquartered in Fargo, and from 2002 to 2012, he launched and served as executive director of the NDSU Research and Technology Park. Tony has also served as a North Dakota Xcel Energy Advisory Board member.

In addition to his private sector experience, Tony also has 22 years of legislative experience in the North Dakota State Senate. He was first elected in 1992 and served six terms, retiring in 2014. While serving as a North Dakota State Senator, Tony was vice chairman of Senate appropriations from 2003 to 2014, was elected Republican caucus leader from 1996 to 2000, and was elected Senate president pro tempore for the 2001 legislative session. He served as chairman of the North Dakota economic and workforce development committee and chaired the Council of State Governments’ economic development committee from 1998 to 2002. Tony’s public service experience also includes being elected one term (2016-2020) as a Fargo City Commissioner.

Tony has degrees in business and aviation from Minnesota State University Moorhead and North Dakota State College of Science. He also earned certificates from the University of Oklahoma and the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University.

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About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.