CenterPoint Energy Names Well-Respected Energy Industry Executive Jesus Soto, Jr as Chief Operating Officer

Rhea-AI Summary

CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:CNP) has appointed Jesus Soto, Jr as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, effective August 11, 2025. Soto, a seasoned energy industry executive with over 30 years of experience, will oversee Electric Operations, Gas Operations, Safety, Supply Chain, and Customer Care functions across the company's service territories.

Soto joins from Quanta Services, where he served as Executive Vice President since 2023. He will play a crucial role in executing CenterPoint's $31 billion capital investment plan over the next five years, focusing on infrastructure development and improved service reliability for the company's 7 million customers across Texas, Indiana, Ohio, and Minnesota.

Positive

• Strategic appointment of highly experienced executive with 30+ years in energy industry operations
• Significant $31 billion capital investment plan over next 5 years indicates strong growth trajectory
• New COO brings extensive experience in executing large-scale capital projects and operational excellence

Negative

• Substantial $31 billion capital expenditure plan may impact company's financial flexibility
• Integration period required for new leadership may temporarily affect operational execution

Insights

Utility Industry Analyst

CenterPoint's appointment of operations veteran Jesus Soto as COO strengthens execution capability for their $31B capital plan.

CenterPoint Energy's appointment of Jesus Soto, Jr. as Executive Vice President and COO represents a strategic leadership addition as the company prepares to execute its ambitious $31 billion capital investment plan over the next five years. Soto brings over 30 years of relevant industry experience in areas critical to CenterPoint's operations, including electric and gas transmission and distribution.

The timing of this appointment is significant as CenterPoint faces substantial growth demands, particularly in Texas markets. Soto's expertise in managing large-scale capital projects will be crucial for maintaining budgetary discipline while meeting aggressive deployment timelines. His background at Quanta Services (a Fortune 200 company) and experience with pipeline safety management systems suggests he possesses the operational rigor needed to navigate regulatory requirements across CenterPoint's multi-state footprint.

This executive change appears aimed at strengthening CenterPoint's execution capabilities as utility infrastructure investments accelerate to support economic development in their service territories. With 7 million customers across four states, the scale of operations under Soto's purview is substantial. His leadership of critical customer-facing functions signals the company's focus on improving reliability metrics and customer satisfaction alongside their capital expansion program.

Soto is known for his track record of delivering operational excellence; executing large scale capital projects; and driving safety culture

HOUSTON, July 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CenterPoint Energy today announced that Jesus Soto, Jr, a well-respected, energy industry executive with deep Texas roots will join the company as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Soto will oversee the company's Electric Operations, Gas Operations, Safety, Supply Chain, and Customer Care functions, across all the states that CenterPoint serves. He will join the company on Aug. 11, 2025, and report to President & CEO Jason Wells.

Soto brings more than 30 years of experience in leading large teams to deliver operational excellence across all facets of the energy industry including electric transmission & distribution, gas transmission & distribution, and generation; executing large scale capital projects on time and on budget; and driving safety performance and culture change. 

"We are pleased to be able to welcome a leader of Jesus Soto's caliber to CenterPoint's executive team. We have one of the most dynamic growth stories in the industry, and over the next five years we will deliver over $31 billion of investments across our footprint as part of our capital plan. Jesus's deep understanding and background are the perfect match to help us deliver this incredible scope of work at-pace that will foster the economic development and growth demands in our key markets. He will also be instrumental in helping us continue to focus on improving safety and delivering better reliability for all the communities we are fortunate to serve," said Jason Wells, President & CEO of CenterPoint Energy.

"I'm excited to join CenterPoint's high-performing team. It's a true privilege to be able to serve our 7 million customers in Texas, Indiana, Ohio and Minnesota. We have an incredible amount of capital work ahead of us to help meet the growing energy needs of our customers and communities, especially across Texas. To help realize our resiliency and growth goals, I look forward to helping our teams deliver this work safely while helping our customers experience better outcomes. They expect, and deserve, no less," said Soto.

A long-time Houston resident, Soto has served as Executive Vice President of Quanta Services, a Fortune 200 company, since 2023. Prior to Quanta, he served as Chief Operating Officer for Mears Group, Inc. offering engineering & construction services to the oil & gas pipeline, gas distribution, telecom and pipeline integrity markets. He has also served in senior leadership roles at other utility and energy companies including PG&E Corporation in Northern California and El Paso Corporation in Houston, Texas.

Soto also serves on the Board of Directors of GTI Energy, an energy technology development and training company, and as Chair of the Industry Pipeline Safety Management Systems Team of the American Petroleum Institute. 

He holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso, a master's degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University, and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is a multi-state electric and natural gas delivery company serving approximately 7 million metered customers across Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. The company is headquartered in Houston and is the only Texas-domiciled investor-owned utility. As of March 31, 2025, the company had approximately $44 billion in assets. With approximately 8,300 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been serving customers for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

Forward-Looking Statement 
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of management which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Any statements in this news release regarding future events that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release speaks only as of the date of this release. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the provided forward-looking information include risks and uncertainties relating to: (1) business strategies and strategic initiatives, acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses involving CenterPoint Energy or its industry; (2) CenterPoint Energy's ability to fund and invest planned capital, and the timely recovery of its investments; (3) financial market and general economic conditions; (4) the timing and impact of future regulatory, legislative and political actions or developments; and (5) other factors, risks and uncertainties discussed in CenterPoint Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and CenterPoint's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For more information, contact:
Communications
Media.Relations@CenterPointEnergy.com

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SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc

FAQ

Who is the new COO of CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:CNP)?

Jesus Soto, Jr has been appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of CenterPoint Energy, effective August 11, 2025. He joins from Quanta Services where he served as Executive Vice President.

What is CenterPoint Energy's (CNP) investment plan for the next five years?

CenterPoint Energy plans to invest $31 billion across its footprint over the next five years to support economic development and growth demands in its key markets.

How many customers does CenterPoint Energy (CNP) serve?

CenterPoint Energy serves 7 million customers across Texas, Indiana, Ohio, and Minnesota.

What will be Jesus Soto's responsibilities as COO at CenterPoint Energy?

As COO, Soto will oversee the company's Electric Operations, Gas Operations, Safety, Supply Chain, and Customer Care functions across all service territories.

What is Jesus Soto's professional background before joining CenterPoint Energy?

Soto has over 30 years of industry experience, serving as Executive VP at Quanta Services, COO at Mears Group, and holding senior leadership roles at PG&E Corporation and El Paso Corporation.