The City of Austin’s publicly owned electrical power utility named a leader in former Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) head Bob Kahn, according to reports from Austin-based media outlets.
Interim City Manager Jesús Garza announced the hiring of Kahn as general manager of Austin Energy effective the day before the Fourth of July, Austin ABC affiliate KVUE reported.
Kahn happens to be no stranger to the next entity he’ll work for, as he was its deputy general manager, general counsel and vice president for legal services.
“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,” he said, according to KVUE.
At present, Kahn serves as the general manager of the Texas Municipal Power Agency (TMPA).
Austin CBS affiliate KEYE reported that he’s slated to be the successor to the retired Jackie Sargent, who vacated the position in late March.
Having served as general manager since 2016, Austin Journal reported, Sargent was at the helm when a severe winter disturbance rumbled through the state capital and Central Texas and caused tens of thousands to lose electricity earlier this year, as well as Winter Storm Uri at the beginning of 2021.
Uri notoriously overloaded the state’s energy grid, triggering blackouts from the panhandle to the Rio Grande Valley.
The company said Sargent was its first female general manager.
Per Austin Journal, Stuart Kelly, Austin Energy’s chief operating officer (COO), serves as interim general manager.
As general manager, Austin Energy said in a tweet, Kahn will watch over its day-to-day operations, as well as lead its efforts to help the communities it serves.
Austin FOX affiliate KTBC reported that Kahn’s appointment is among the latest slew of leadership changes announced by Garza.