El Paso Electric names Eli Viamontes CEO to succeed Kelly Tomblin

El Paso Electric said Oct. 9 that Eli Viamontes will become president and CEO on Nov. 9, 2026, succeeding Kelly Tomblin, who will retire after more than six years leading the utility. The leadership change comes as the company faces growing demand across its Texas-New Mexico service area.

Why it matters: - El Paso Electric is changing leadership as it prepares for growth in a service region that spans the El Paso and Las Cruces area. - The transition comes as utilities face pressure to expand systems, improve reliability and make new investments for rising demand. - Tomblin’s exit ends a six-year run that included grid modernization, renewable expansion and broader customer outreach.

What happened: - El Paso Electric named Eliecer “Eli” Viamontes as president and CEO, effective Nov. 9, 2026. - Viamontes will succeed Kelly Tomblin, who will retire from her roles as president and CEO. - Tomblin will stay on in an advisory role through the end of 2026 to help with the transition. - The company announced the change on Oct. 9, 2026.

The details: - Viamontes most recently served as chair, president and CEO of Entergy Texas. - Entergy Texas served about 538,000 customers across 27 counties in Texas under Viamontes’ leadership. - Before that, Viamontes was vice president of utility distribution operations for Entergy. - He also held leadership roles at Florida Power & Light. - Viamontes has more than two decades of electric utility experience. - His background includes operational excellence, industrial growth, grid modernization and reliability and affordability efforts. - Tomblin helped develop and execute El Paso Electric’s long-term strategic plan, expand its renewable energy portfolio and strengthen stakeholder relationships. - Tomblin said she is proud of the company’s progress on infrastructure, reliability and regional growth. - El Paso Electric said it serves 473,000 customers across the El Paso and Las Cruces region. - The utility’s service area covers 10,000 square miles from Hatch, New Mexico, to Van Horn, Texas. - El Paso Electric generates, transmits and delivers electricity across its service territory. - Viamontes earned an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Florida International University. - He serves on the board of the Texas Association of Business, the United Way of Greater Houston and Memorial Hermann’s CEO Leaders Advisory Council. - Viamontes is also a member of the Texas Private Sector Advisory Council.

Between the lines: - The board is framing the move as a planned handoff, not a response to a crisis. - Chairman Ed Escudero said the company is well-positioned for the future and needs leadership aligned with rising demand. - The emphasis on reliability, affordability and capital investment signals that load growth and infrastructure needs are central to El Paso Electric’s next phase. - Tomblin’s tenure appears to have set up the company for the handoff by strengthening the grid and broadening its renewable footprint.

What's next: - Viamontes will take over as CEO on Nov. 9, 2026. - Tomblin will continue advising El Paso Electric through year-end. - The company is expected to focus on system expansion, service reliability and investments to support regional growth.

The bottom line: - El Paso Electric is handing the reins to a utility veteran as it prepares for heavier demand and its next stage of growth.