SPP announces changes to executive leadership
LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Southwest Power Pool (SPP) today announced changes to the organization’s executive team meant to further strengthen its position as a leader in electric reliability and affordability. David Kelley has been named Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Casey Cathey has been promoted to Vice President of Engineering.
“David’s background in engineering and markets equips him with a unique perspective and problem-solving approach that will be invaluable in advancing financial strategies that ensure the continued success of our organization,” said SPP President and CEO Barbara Sugg. “And Casey’s proven track record as a results-driven thought leader in the space of regional planning is exactly what our organization needs as we plan the grid of the future. I’m very excited to have both of them in these roles as SPP continues to grow, advance, and mature in response to our stakeholders’ needs.”
As Chief Financial Officer, Kelley will be responsible for developing and executing a financial strategy aligned to SPP’s vision and objectives. He will oversee the financial settlement of all transactions occurring under SPP’s tariff and lead SPP’s accounting, settlements, finance and credit departments.
Kelley previously served as SPP’s Vice President of Engineering and has more than 20 years of utility industry experience, having served in various engineering and markets leadership roles at SPP since joining in 2008. He has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Louisiana Tech University and an MBA from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and he is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Arkansas.
“Having had the opportunity to serve SPP in roles related to markets and engineering for a decade-and-a-half,” said Kelley, “I’m keenly aware how critical it is to consider affordability and financial responsibility in everything we do as a service provider. It’s exciting to now be given the opportunity to address those matters directly, all while working with our staff and stakeholders to achieve our collective goals.”
As Vice President of Engineering, Cathey will lead SPP’s evolving, innovative approach to consolidated transmission planning, and he will oversee the ongoing development of the organization’s transmission expansion plan, administration of generator interconnection and transmission service study processes, and the advancement of regional resource adequacy policies. Hired in 2006, Cathey has served in various key roles at SPP including Senior Director of Grid Asset Utilization where he led a group responsible for developing and implementing novel electric industry policies, tools, and procedures aimed at preparing SPP for the grid of the future. He holds a bachelor's degree in electrical and electronics engineering from Louisiana State University, an MBA from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Arkansas.
"I am humbled and thrilled to embrace this new role and continue to collaborate closely with our exceptional staff and stakeholders in a fresh capacity,” Cathey said. “Our industry is navigating an evolving landscape with many challenges and opportunities, and I am eager to work with our stakeholders to develop and implement strategies that will safeguard and prepare our region’s energy future through innovative system planning.”