January 25, 2022

Southwest Power Pool elects Cupparo and Trowbridge to serve on board of directors

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Southwest Power Pool (SPP), a regional power grid operator that ensures access to reliable and affordable electricity, elected John Cupparo and Ben Trowbridge to its independent board of directors Jan. 25. Both directors are elected to three-year terms by a vote of SPP’s membership.

“On behalf of SPP’s board, members and staff, I’m very pleased to welcome John and Ben,” said Barbara Sugg, SPP president and CEO. “Together, they bring a wealth of experience and valuable perspectives in matters related to transmission planning, cybersecurity, finance and other topics that are particularly relevant to our organization right now.”

Cupparo has extensive experience in the electric utility industry, ranging from finance to regional planning and competitive transmission solutions. Most recently, Cupparo served as senior executive at Berkshire Hathaway Energy.

“It is an honor to join SPP’s board,” said Cupparo. “As the energy needs of the country become more complex, SPP will play a vital role in achieving its collective membership’s objectives. My focus will be on leveraging my industry experience to contribute to SPP delivering its mission.”

Cupparo also served as President and CEO of BHE U.S. Transmission and in leadership roles at PacifiCorp, Koch Industries and Texaco. He served on the board of the Western Electricity Coordinating Council and Northern Tier Transmission Group, a regional planning entity covering a multi-state western footprint.

Cupparo received a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Colorado State University. He served on the Junior Achievement board for Oregon and SW Washington focusing on economic empowerment through education for young people.

Trowbridge served many cybersecurity and large enterprises across a variety of industries as a board member, founder CEO and consultant. He currently serves on the board of directors of Arctic Security, Working Solutions and Beyond Capital Fund and the board of advisors for Abacode Managed Cybersecurity and Compliance.

“I am grateful to Southwest Power Pool members for electing me as a board member,” said Trowbridge. “The SPP mission of overseeing the bulk electric grid and wholesale power market in the central United States is essential for the growth of our economy and is of strategic significance to our way of life.”

Trowbridge served as the Global Leader of Ernst and Young’s Cybersecurity as a Service practice, founded the technology advisory firm Alsbridge and during an earlier stage in his career, was a direct admit partner to Ernst and Young where he co-founded EY’s Global Operate Company. He was named the 2019 Innovator of the Year by D CEO Magazine, an EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist. Consulting Magazine named the consulting firm that he founded, Alsbridge, a Top 10 Firm. He received his bachelor’s degree at the Northwestern State University of Louisiana and is a former United States Marine Corps Infantry Officer.

Meghan Sever, 501-482-2393, msever@spp.org