SAN ANTONIO – After a nine-month nationwide search, CPS Energy has selected a new president and CEO, Ed Kelley, the board of trustees chair, said Monday.
The new president and CEO, Paula Gold-Williams, began serving as interim CEO in November 2015, shortly after Doyle Beneby resigned from the post.
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“Paula has done an outstanding job in her nine months as interim president and CEO, and has provided solid operational guidance, strategic agility, and a renewed focus on customer and employee engagement during the transition,” Kelley said. “She is a highly impressive talent known for her inclusive leadership style, her 'people first' philosophy, and for building high performing, collaborative teams.”
CPS said during her interim capacity, Gold-Williams, who also previously served the utility company as group executive vice president and chief financial officer, improved customer responsiveness, corporate safety performance and finalized the headquarter location process.
“I am honored and humbled to have been selected to lead an amazing team of more than 3,000 CPS Energy employees,” Gold-Williams said. “It’s been a privilege to serve our organization in the interim role, and I look forward to continuing down our path of customer service excellence, supporting our diverse workforce, along with innovative and sustainable energy generation and growth.”
Gold-Williams has held various positions at other San Antonio businesses, including Time-Warner Cable and Luby's Inc. She then joined CPS Energy in 2004.
“I am very pleased to be able to confirm that Paula Gold-Williams has been selected to continue to lead CPS Energy into the 21st century,” Mayor Ivy R. Taylor said. “We are confident that her excellent service since being named Interim CEO in 2015 is a great indicator of her ability to deliver outstanding customer service at competitive rates while supporting energy innovation and economic development in our community.”
The board approved a base salary Monday for Gold-Williams of $415,000.