SPP Announces Promotions, Retirement
LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Southwest Power Pool (SPP) today announced multiple promotions to director- and executive-level roles in their legal and engineering areas as well as the retirement of an industry veteran.
Michael Desselle, vice president and chief compliance and administrative officer, will retire from SPP effective January 2, 2025. He joined the organization in 2006 and has more than 40 years of experience in the energy industry. In his current role, Desselle is responsible for ensuring the organization’s adherence to a process-driven environment, interregional initiatives and quality and process improvement efforts. Additionally, he is responsible for helping to ensure the consistency, internal coordination and communication with the corporate strategic plans.
“We’ll definitely miss Michael,” said Barbara Sugg, SPP president and CEO. “His dedication to SPP is clear. He’s respected by his peers as exemplified by his service as chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of the North American Energy Standards Board. We wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
Mike Riley, SPP senior director and deputy general counsel, has been promoted to fill Desselle’s position. Riley has managed the day-to-day operations of SPP’s legal department by providing direction and guidance in support of all business units. He has been with SPP since 2009. Previously, Riley was senior counsel with Alltel Corporation and an assistant district counsel with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He received a law degree and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Riley will start in his new position as vice president of corporate services and chief compliance officer October 1, allowing for a smooth transition until Desselle’s retirement.
SPP has reconfigured its legal management team following Riley’s promotion.
Chris Nolen and Tessie Kentner, managing attorneys at SPP, each have been named associate general counsel, effective October 1.
Kentner oversees the legal team responsible for supporting corporate legal matters, transmission planning, SPP’s service agreement process and state regulatory matters. She has been with SPP since 2009 and previously served as in-house counsel at Alltel Wireless. She received a law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas.
Nolen oversees the legal team partnered with the markets, settlements, operations and credit teams. He has been with SPP since September 2016 and previously practiced criminal defense law. He received a law degree and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
In SPP’s engineering organization, Steve Purdy was also promoted from his previous role as principal systems planning engineer. He will begin his new position as technical director, engineering, effective October 1, playing a critical role at the intersection of engineering challenges and policy development. He started at SPP in 2006 and previously worked in engineering at the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation. Purdy has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
“The promotions of these excellent longtime staff members represent everything that makes SPP an amazing organization to work for,” Sugg said. “Each has demonstrated dedication to their craft and diligence in serving our member organizations. We have an extremely worthwhile mission to keep the lights on for millions of people. These hardworking individuals help make that outcome a reality.”