Javier Fernandez, the President and CEO of the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD), will step down from his role at the end of the year. The departure, confirmed Wednesday, comes as the utility grapples with record-breaking electricity demand and a complex transition away from coal-fired power. Fernandez informed the board of directors that his decision follows a unique opportunity for his family, though the specific details of his next professional role remain private.
This leadership change happens at a critical juncture for Omaha’s energy infrastructure.
Record demand puts pressure on the next leader
The incoming CEO will inherit a system under immense physical strain. The numbers show a clear trend of escalating need; OPPD has set a new summer peak every year since Fernandez took the helm in July 2021. This culminated in a record 3,285 megawatts of demand this past July. This represents the tangible impact of surging demand for electricity.
Heath Mello, President and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber, described Fernandez as a transformational leader but noted that the utility’s next steps will be consequential. Mello emphasized that the next person in the role must embrace an all-of-the-above energy strategy to ensure the city can meet this rapidly growing demand.
The coal-to-gas conflict and legal friction
Fernandez’s tenure was not without significant political and legal headwinds. A primary point of contention was the plan to convert the North Omaha Station from coal to natural gas. This move triggered a lawsuit last year from Attorney General Mike Hilgers, who challenged the utility’s direction. The legal battle ended in December after the OPPD board voted to delay the conversion once again, leading Hilgers to drop the suit.
Omaha Mayor John Ewing thanked Fernandez for his leadership, calling him “an excellent partner for the city” in emergency response after major storms and in economic development.
Fernandez becomes first CEO of color at OPPD
Fernandez’s appointment in 2021 was a landmark moment for the utility; born and raised in Mexico City, he became OPPD’s first CEO of color. He didn’t enter the role as an outsider, however. He joined the organization in 2017 as vice president and chief financial officer, bringing experience from the Bonneville Power Administration, a federal power marketing agency based in Portland, Oregon.
His influence extended beyond the borders of Omaha. Fernandez served as the president of the Nebraska Power Association board and as the vice chair of the Large Public Power Council, positioning OPPD as a central player in regional energy policy.
The uncertainty of the succession process
As the year winds down, the immediate priority is the appointment of an interim CEO, which the board’s governance committee is currently finalizing. However, the path to a permanent successor remains opaque. In 2021, the search for a new leader included public input—a move that provided a level of transparency to the community.
Currently, OPPD has not disclosed whether the upcoming search will again include public participation or when a permanent appointment will be made.
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