El Paso Electric has a new leader.
Eliecer "Eli" Viamontes, CEO of Beaumont-based Entergy Texas for almost five years, is replacing retiring Kelly Tomblin.
She has been El Paso Electric's CEO for six years, since the company was purchased in July 2020 by Infrastructure Investments Fund, or IIF, a JPMorgan Chase-tied investment fund.
Viamontes takes over Nov. 9, EPE officials announced in a news release Oct. 9. Tomblin will remain as an EPE advisor until the end of 2026.
Viamontes has more than 20 years of electric utility experience at Florida Power & Light Co., and at Entergy Texas, a part of New Orleans-based Entergy, which operates electric utilities in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Ed Escudero, El Paso Electric board chairman,
said the board found this a good time to implement a leadership transition.
“Eli brings extensive industry experience, a proven track record of operational excellence, and a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges shaping our region," Escudero said in a statement.
Tomblin said, "I have strong conviction that Eli’s proven experience in our industry makes him uniquely qualified to serve as EPE’s next leader."
Viramontes, in a statement said, "I’m honored to join EPE at this pivotal moment for the company and the broader energy sector."
Vic Kolenc may be reached at 915-546-6421;vkolenc@elpasotimes.com; @vickolenc on X, and @vkolenc.bsky.socialon Bluesky.
This is a breaking story that will be updated.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso Electric taps new CEO ahead of Kelly Tomblin retirement
