CenterPoint Energy appoints Jesus Soto Jr. as new COO

HOUSTON - CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:CNP), a utility company currently valued at $24.52 billion and showing an impressive 18.84% return year-to-date according to InvestingPro, announced Monday that Jesus Soto Jr. will join the company as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer effective August 11, 2025.

Soto, who brings more than 30 years of experience in the energy industry, will oversee the company’s Electric Operations, Gas Operations, Safety, Supply Chain, and Customer Care functions across all states CenterPoint serves.

The new COO most recently served as Executive Vice President at Quanta Services, a Fortune 200 company, since 2023. His previous roles include Chief Operating Officer at Mears Group, Inc. and senior leadership positions at PG&E Corporation and El Paso Corporation.

"Jesus’s deep understanding and background are the perfect match to help us deliver this incredible scope of work," said Jason Wells, President and CEO of CenterPoint Energy, in a press release statement.

According to the company, Soto will play a key role in implementing CenterPoint’s $31 billion investment plan across its footprint over the next five years. The capital investments aim to support economic development and growth demands in the company’s key markets. InvestingPro analysis indicates the company maintains a FAIR financial health score and has consistently paid dividends for 55 consecutive years, demonstrating long-term stability.

Soto currently serves on the Board of Directors of GTI Energy and chairs the Industry Pipeline Safety Management Systems Team of the American Petroleum Institute.

CenterPoint Energy serves approximately 7 million metered customers across Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. The Houston-headquartered company had approximately $44 billion in assets as of March 31, 2025. With its next earnings report due in 3 days, investors can access comprehensive analysis and detailed metrics through InvestingPro’s exclusive Research Report, one of 1,400+ deep-dive reports available to subscribers.

In other recent news, CenterPoint Energy has announced an 8% increase to its capital plan, bringing the total to $4 billion. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to capitalize on economic growth in Texas. The company also plans to divest its Ohio Gas Local Distribution Company assets, which is expected to generate nearly $1 billion in proceeds by early 2027. Meanwhile, Mizuho and BofA Securities have maintained their Neutral ratings on CenterPoint Energy, with price targets set at $38. Mizuho noted the company’s ongoing efforts to navigate political challenges and regulatory wins, while BofA highlighted elevated operational expenses affecting earnings projections for 2025.

CenterPoint Energy is closely monitoring a tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico, though minimal impact is expected on the Greater Houston area. The company has taken proactive measures, including mobilizing vegetation management workers and enhancing storm readiness plans. Additionally, CenterPoint has expanded its partnership with Convey to improve communication with its customers during extreme weather events. This collaboration aims to enhance the customer experience by providing timely updates and improving operational efficiency. KeyBanc Capital Markets has reiterated its Sector Weight rating for CenterPoint Energy, acknowledging the company’s strategic initiatives and growth prospects in Texas.

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