SPP’s Board of Directors said Dec. 17 it has selected COO Lanny Nickell as its next CEO, effective April 1.
Nickell will replace CEO Barbara Sugg following a three-month transition period. Sugg announced her retirement in August after 27 years with SPP. (See SPP’s Sugg Announces Retirement from RTO.)
Armed with 28 years of experience with SPP, Nickell said he was “deeply honored” to be selected to “serve the organization I’ve been proud to call home.”
“I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from and work alongside Barbara for as long as I have, and I’m grateful for her visionary leadership,” Nickell said in a press release. “SPP’s mission of ensuring reliable electric service for millions of consumers remains my driving passion. I look forward to building on our strong foundation and continuing to work diligently with our stakeholders to meet our future challenges.”
“Lanny brings unparalleled experience, deep organizational knowledge and a passion for the organization’s stakeholder culture,” board Chair John Cupparo said. “His leadership will ensure we continue to deliver on SPP’s mission and successfully navigate the generational challenges confronting our industry, region and organization.”
Nickell joined SPP from Central and South West Corp., now American Electric Power, in 1997. He was quickly promoted to the management team and was named vice president of operations in 2008 and vice president of engineering in 2011. Nickell was promoted to COO in 2020.
His promotion to CEO continues SPP’s tradition dating back to the 1970s, when its headcount stood at 14, of hiring its leaders from within. Sugg was named CEO in 2020, replacing Nick Brown, who replaced John Marschewski in 2003. SPP became an RTO in 2004.
Sugg told RTO Insider she plans to spend more time with her two grandchildren and take care of her elderly mother.
“It’s been an honor to lead this organization through a transformative period of growth and maturation. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity, and I’m thrilled to pass the reins to Lanny, a trusted colleague and partner whose leadership will undoubtedly take the company to new heights,” she said a statement.
Nickell holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Tulsa and is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.
