Power grid operator Southwest Power Pool of Little Rock has elected John Cupparo and Ben Trowbridge to its independent board of directors. Both were voted into three-year terms by the regional transmission organizations membership on Jan 25.
Most recently a senior executive at Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Cupparo has spent years in the electric utility business, working in everything from finance to regional planning and competitive transmission strategies.
“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 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.
“It is an honor to join SPP’s board,” Cupparo said in a news release. “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 received a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Colorado State University.
Trowbridge has worked across many industries in cybersecurity and now serves on the board of directors of Arctic Security, Working Solutions and Beyond Capital Fund, as well as 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,” Trowbridge said in the release. “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 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 has a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern State University of Louisiana and is a former Marine infantry officer.
Not-for-profit SPP, headquartered in Little Rock manages the electric grid across 17 central and western states.
