SPP names Felek Abbas senior vice president, chief technology and security officer
LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Southwest Power Pool (SPP) has selected Felek Abbas as senior vice president, chief technology and security officer, effective March 3. The new position combines Abbas’ current duties as chief security officer with new responsibilities for overseeing information technology and corporate facilities.
“Given the rapidly increasing changes and risks confronting our industry, it’s essential we have the very best leading our pursuit of transformative technology,” said incoming SPP President and CEO Lanny Nickell. “Felek has a passion for innovation and is well-qualified to lead advancement of the cutting-edge technology we need to guard against global cyber threats, support our ambitious strategic goals and ensure we can continue to keep the lights on.”
Abbas joined SPP in January 2024 as vice president and chief security officer, overseeing SPP’s cyber and physical security, emergency management and business continuity. In his new position, he will manage about 260 staff.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to take a leadership role with the incredible work SPP does on a daily basis as well as the exciting plans for the future,” Abbas said. “I’m proud to help advance and secure our complex systems that economically keep the lights on and support our members and their customers.”
Abbas has more than 30 years of electric industry experience in cybersecurity, engineering, consulting, risk management, audit and compliance. Previously, he served as senior manager of cybersecurity for power and utilities at Ernst & Young, where he supported clients with cybersecurity program transformations in both IT and operational technology. He also served as a North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) compliance advisor and auditor. He has operational experience as an engineer at Progress Energy, Mirant Corporation and Georgia Power Company. Abbas has an electrical engineering degree from Auburn University and is an (ISC) certified information systems security professional.
Sam Ellis, SPP’s former vice president of information technology, retired effective Feb. 3.