CARLSBAD, N.M. (May 15, 2019) – Robert Chavez, a 44-year veteran of Xcel Energy and its predecessor companies, has been named account manager for some of the company’s largest industrial customers in New Mexico’s rapidly growing energy sector.

Chavez, a native of Loving, N.M., is succeeding Letty Kuykendall, who was promoted to key account manager for New Mexico earlier this year. He has worked directly with customers in various roles since joining Southwestern Public Service Company, now Xcel Energy, in 1974.

“Robert’s experience in southeastern New Mexico across more than four decades, along with his in-depth knowledge of the special requirements of our large customers, makes him ideally suited to step into this role,” said Preston Langford, project manager in Xcel Energy’s Key Accounts group serving New Mexico and Texas. “New Mexico is leading our other jurisdictions in growth, and Robert is part of a skilled team that is ensuring we’re meeting and exceeding our customers’ expectations now and in the years to come.”

Chavez began his service to the company in 1974 as a meter reader. He was promoted to meter reading supervisor in 1982, and in 1994, he was promoted to the position of distribution designer. In 2014, Chavez was named senior distribution designer, the position he held until being promoted to account

manager. He earned an associate’s degree in business from New Mexico State University – Carlsbad in 1990.

Chavez is active in the Carlsbad community, where he will continue to be based, and currently serves as

president of the board of trustees for Carlsbad Public Library.

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