Avista Announces New Vice President Appointments
Rhea-AI Summary
Avista (NYSE: AVA) announced leadership changes effective Oct. 1, 2026, as part of a planned succession strategy to support strategic execution, future growth and leadership continuity. Alicia Gibbs, currently Director of Innovation and Strategy, has been appointed Vice President, Growth, Innovation and Strategy, leading growth, innovation and long-range planning.
Patrick Ehrbar, currently Director of Regulatory Affairs, has been appointed Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, continuing to oversee regulatory affairs. The changes align with the planned retirement of Senior Vice President Jason Thackston at the end of 2026, with responsibilities being realigned across the officer team to add leadership capacity and ensure continuity.
Positive
- Two internal leaders promoted to vice president roles effective Oct. 1, 2026
- Succession planning tied to 2026 retirement with responsibilities aligned across the officer team
Negative
- Senior Vice President Jason Thackston scheduled to retire at the end of 2026
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 04 | Dividend declaration | Positive | -0.9% | Board declared a $0.4925 quarterly dividend despite a negative 24-hour price reaction. |
| Aug 03 | Q2 earnings report | Positive | -2.2% | Reported higher GAAP earnings and confirmed 2026 utility earnings guidance. |
| Jul 31 | Idaho rate filings | Neutral | -2.2% | Filed annual customer rate adjustments that the company said would not affect earnings. |
| Jul 08 | Earnings call scheduling | Neutral | +0.7% | Announced the August 3, 2026 second-quarter earnings conference call and webcast. |
| Jun 12 | Data-center request pause | Negative | -3.4% | Paused processing of a potential 500 MW data-center energy service request. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Recent Avista news events were more often followed by negative price reactions, including positive earnings and dividend announcements.
Key Terms
demand-side management technical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Leadership changes focus on enhancing strategic execution and future growth
SPOKANE, Wash., Aug. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avista (NYSE: AVA) today announced changes to its leadership team, effective Oct. 1, 2026, as part of a planned succession strategy designed to enhance the company’s strategic execution, support future growth and strengthen leadership continuity. Alicia Gibbs, currently Director of Innovation and Strategy, has been appointed Vice President, Growth, Innovation and Strategy. Patrick Ehrbar, currently Director of Regulatory Affairs, has been appointed Vice President, Regulatory Affairs.
In her new role, Gibbs will lead efforts focused on growth, innovation and long-range strategic planning. Gibbs joined Avista in 2009 and has held leadership roles across strategy, natural gas operations, electric operations, shared services, customer service and process improvement.
Ehrbar will continue leading Avista’s regulatory affairs efforts as Vice President, Regulatory Affairs. Ehrbar joined Avista in 1998 and has held numerous leadership roles involving regulatory affairs, rates and tariffs, customer solutions and demand-side management.
“I am pleased to promote Alicia Gibbs and Patrick Ehrbar into these key leadership roles,” said Avista President and CEO Heather Rosentrater. “Alicia’s broad experience across our business and her ability to connect strategy, innovation and execution have been of significant value to Avista.”
“Patrick’s extensive regulatory expertise and deep understanding of our industry have helped support positive outcomes for our customers and stakeholders. I am confident Alicia and Patrick will continue helping move our organization forward as we execute our long-term strategy.”
The changes also support Avista’s planned transition as Jason Thackston, Senior Vice President, Growth, Policy and External Relations, prepares to retire at the end of 2026. Avista is filling in behind him by aligning key responsibilities across the officer team, adding leadership capacity and ensuring continuity through the transition.
About Avista Corp.
Avista Corp. is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is our operating division that provides electric service to 429,000 customers and natural gas to 386,000 customers. Our service territory covers 34,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.5 million. AERC is an Avista subsidiary that, through its subsidiary AEL&P, provides retail electric service to 18,000 customers in the city and borough of Juneau, Alaska. Our stock is traded under the ticker symbol “AVA”. For more information about Avista, please visit www.avistacorp.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the company’s current expectations. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than historical facts. Such statements speak only as of the date of the news release and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, in addition to those discussed herein, all of the factors discussed in the company’s and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025.
Avista Corp. and the Avista Corp. logo are trademarks of Avista Corporation.
SOURCE: Avista Corporation
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Contact:
Media: Lena Funston (509) 495-8090, lena.funston@avistacorp.com
Investors: Stacey Walters (509) 495-2046, stacey.walters@avistacorp.com
Avista 24/7 Media Access (509) 495-4174
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/35f1d279-9d16-48a0-b7fe-d6c9cfbd9d63
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c68cd151-89c5-4ca7-86e9-02401acb246b
