El Paso, Texas – The region’s primary electric provider, El Paso Electric (EPE), confirmed Friday that it has selected Eli Viamontes to take over as president and chief executive officer. Viamontes, who currently leads Entergy Texas in the Houston area, will assume the role on Nov. 9, succeeding Kelly Tomblin after more than three decades of service.
Transition plan emphasizes stability for families and businesses
In a LinkedIn post, Viamontes wrote, “Stepping into EPE right now feels incredibly special. At its core, our work comes down to keeping the lights on, serving the families and businesses that count on us every day, and making smart investments that help our region thrive.” The announcement underscores the utility’s commitment to a seamless leadership change; Tomblin will remain on‑board in an advisory capacity through the end of the year to support the transition.
Tomblin’s legacy of growth and renewable expansion
During her tenure, Tomblin launched several key initiatives that have shaped EPE’s modern strategy. She introduced a new strategic plan aimed at modernizing the grid and expanding renewable energy sources, positioning the utility to meet both reliability standards and environmental goals. Her experience spans more than 30 years in the energy sector, including international assignments in the United Kingdom and a previous CEO role at a utility in Jamaica.
Viamontes brings Texas‑wide utility expertise
Viamontes arrives with a strong background in Texas energy markets. As CEO of Entergy Texas, he oversaw operations that serve millions of customers across the state, focusing on grid resilience, customer service and strategic capital projects. His leadership is expected to reinforce EPE’s dedication to dependable power while advancing the company’s renewable portfolio.
What the change means for the community
For El Paso families and local businesses, the leadership shift is designed to be a non‑disruptive continuation of service. EPE’s core mission—delivering safe, reliable electricity—remains unchanged, and the company has pledged to keep its investment focus on projects that support regional economic growth and family well‑being. The utility’s ongoing renewable initiatives, such as solar and wind integration, are slated to proceed under Viamontes’ guidance.
Looking ahead
As the new CEO prepares to take the helm, EPE will continue to monitor grid performance, address peak‑demand challenges, and explore additional clean‑energy opportunities. Stakeholders, including local government officials and community leaders, have expressed confidence that Viamontes’ experience will help the utility navigate the evolving energy landscape while maintaining the reliable service that El Paso residents depend on.
For further details, EPE encourages customers to visit its website or contact the customer service center.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
