MINNEAPOLIS (November 30, 2023) — Xcel Energy announced today that Chris Clark, current president of Xcel Energy – Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, will retire March 1, 2024. Ryan Long, Xcel Energy’s interim general counsel, will succeed Clark as the new president, effective Jan. 1, 2024.
“I want to thank Chris for his tremendous contributions to the company. He helped lead the nation’s clean energy transition and was instrumental in driving our wind leadership to new heights in the Upper Midwest,’’ said Bob Frenzel, Xcel Energy’s chairman, president and CEO.
In his new role, Long will be responsible for the strategic planning, financial results and operational outcomes for the three states, in addition to leading teams focused on customer, community, regulatory, legislative and governmental relationships.
“We have extraordinary opportunities in the next decade as we pursue the clean energy future. I know Ryan will carry forward the exceptional work of our employees as we seize the opportunities before us to deliver reliable, safe, affordable energy service for our customers, communities and stakeholders,” said Frenzel.
Long joined Xcel Energy in 2015 and is currently responsible for leading the legal department and executing the company’s legal strategy as interim general counsel. Long previously worked as a lawyer for Faegre Baker Daniels, now known as Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath in Minneapolis and Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York City. Long currently serves on the board of directors for Project for Pride in Living, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit.
Amanda Rome, executive vice president, group president of Utilities and chief customer officer, will serve as interim general counsel in addition to her current duties.
Clark joined Xcel Energy in 1999 as a senior attorney and also served as the vice president of Regulatory before being named president of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota in January of 2015. He represented the company on several civic groups, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation Sustainable Transportation Advisory Council, Minnesota Governor’s Advisory Council on Climate Change, the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies and the St. Paul Downtown Alliance.
# # #
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 X, formerly known as Twitter, and Facebook.