NorthWestern Energy CEO Bob Rowe announces his plan to retire

BUTTE, Mont. and SIOUX FALLS, S.D., July 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NorthWestern Energy announced today that Bob Rowe will retire as chief executive officer and a member of NorthWestern Energy’s board of directors at the end of 2022.

Yesterday, as part of a planned leadership succession process, the NorthWestern Energy board of directors appointed Brian B. Bird, currently the company’s president and chief operating officer, to serve as Rowe’s successor. Effective Jan. 1, 2023, Bird will assume the title and responsibilities of president and chief executive officer and become a member of NorthWestern Energy’s board of directors. For the remainder of 2022, Rowe will continue to work closely with Bird in support of a smooth transition, which began in February 2021 when the board approved a modification to the executive leadership team that named Bird president and chief operating officer.

“Bob Rowe is passionate about NorthWestern Energy’s culture, built on collaborative interaction, mentorship and fellowship,” said NorthWestern Energy Chairman of the Board Dana Dykhouse. “Our outstanding employee group, demonstrating a commitment to safety, commitment to our customers, commitment to our environment, and commitment to our communities is a testament to Bob’s relentless focus on promoting and supporting that culture. Bob’s vision of this company’s role in a rapidly changing energy future has successfully achieved the balance critical to our successes today, tomorrow and for years into the future. Brian is a respected industry financial leader with an excellent understanding of NorthWestern Energy’s operations. He has been instrumental in guiding the company to today’s solid financial footing.”

Bird joined NorthWestern Energy as the chief financial officer in December 2003. Recently, as president and chief operating officer, Bird steered NorthWestern Energy’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality in our electric and natural gas operations by 2050 and the company’s environmental, social and corporate governance programs and reporting. He is also leading integration of our strategy and planning across the company’s operating areas.

During Rowe’s tenure, NorthWestern Energy has:
• Increased the critical energy infrastructure dedicated to serve our customers from $2.5 billion in 2008 to more than $7 billion in 2022, and more than tripled the company’s value.
• Acquired or developed energy supply resources with long-term value, notably the 456 megawatt Montana hydro system, the 150 megawatt Dave Gates Generating Station in Montana, the 80 megawatt Aberdeen Generating Units in South Dakota, 131 megawatt of owned wind generation in Montana and South Dakota and recently, the 58 megawatt Bob Glanzer Generating Station in Huron, S.D.
• Invested more than a billion dollars in clean energy resources. The hydro system, along with owned and contracted wind and other resources, positions NorthWestern Energy so that approximately 60 percent of the electricity provided to our customers in Montana and South Dakota is from carbon-free resources.
• Invested $1.1 billion in infrastructure to modernize and increase the reliability and flexibility of our energy delivery system.
• Reduced customers’ exposure to the volatile regional energy markets by buying or building generation resources dedicated to serve our customers at prices based on the cost of production. Rowe emphasizes that, “In Montana especially, this is critical unfinished work.”
• Partnered with the communities we serve on economic development and to meet customer and community needs.