SPP president and CEO announces planned retirement

Southwest Power Pool President and CEO Barbara Sugg will retire in April 2025, the Little Rock-based energy transmission management organization announced Thursday (Aug. 8). Search firm Heidrick & Struggles has been hired to recommend a replacement.

Sugg joined SPP in 1997 and was appointed president and CEO in April 2020. Her career with SPP has included senior vice president of IT, and chief security officer. Under her guidance, SPP earned designations as one of the best places to work in Arkansas in 2021, 2022 and 2023, expanded its service offerings and territory into new parts of the country, and garnered consistently high stakeholder satisfaction ratings.

“It’s been an exciting and rewarding time to be part of the electric utility industry,” said Sugg, “and it’s an honor to have played a part in SPP’s growth along the way. Working with our dedicated staff and diverse stakeholders, we’ve accomplished a lot together throughout my career, and there’s still much to do.”

Sugg’s announcement comes as SPP moves forward with a comprehensive plan to address resource adequacy challenges across its 14-state footprint, the company said in the announcement. SPP awaits responses from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding regional transmission organization expansion and tariff filings, and is in the process of implementing enhancements to its consolidated transmission planning processes. SPP also said it continues work with neighboring systems to optimize seams in the interest of reliability and affordability.

“Barbara’s dedication, passion and support of SPP’s mission and people have been evident throughout her tenure,” said SPP board chair John Cupparo. “Her impact as a CEO will be felt for years to come, and the board joins SPP’s stakeholders in thanking her for the high standard of leadership she’s set.”

SPP’s footprint comprises 14 states, including part of Arkansas.