Austin Energy announced Friday that it has brought former ERCOT CEO Bob Kahn back to the utility as general manager.
Kahn is currently general manager of the Texas Municipal Power Agency (TMPA), which represents 72 municipal utilities. He was ERCOT’s CEO from 2007 to 2009, and he replaces Jackie Sargent, who retired after controversial extended power outages in February.
“I’m very excited to return to Austin Energy and look forward to working with the community and the hardworking, dedicated staff at Austin Energy to accomplish the City Council’s goals,” Kahn said in a statement.
Bob Kahn, TMPA | TMPA
Before taking the ERCOT leadership role, Kahn was Austin Energy’s deputy general manager, general counsel and vice president for legal services. He served on ERCOT’s Board of Directors from 2002 to 2006, and returned to the board in 2021 following the disastrous winter storm, but resigned shortly thereafter over a conflict of interest with his TMPA leadership position. (See Former ERCOT CEO Kahn Resigns from Board.)
Kahn’s first day back with the utility will be July 3.
Interim City Manager Jesús Garza, who returned to the Austin government after Spencer Cronk was fired for the utility’s response to the storm, announced other leadership changes as well.
“I am confident the changes announced … will strengthen the City of Austin as we continually work to improve the services we provide to our residents,” he said.
