Lanny Nickell joined SPP in 1997 and served as vice president of operations, vice president of engineering and chief operating officer. Nickell took over leadership of SPP, a not-for-profit regional transmission organization, on April 1.
Nickell earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Tulsa and graduated from Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.
What have you been focusing your energy on since becoming CEO?
Transformation! The electric grid is at a turning point, with data centers and other large industrial loads driving huge leaps in electric demand. We need more energy and infrastructure faster than our industry has had capability to build in the past. Since stepping into this role, I’ve focused on accelerating infrastructure deployment to keep our region’s grid reliable, affordable and modernized.
Could you tell our readers, simply, what SPP does?
Every time you flip a switch or plug in a device, you rely on our nation’s power grid: a vast, carefully managed network of power plants and transmission lines. SPP works with our member utilities and energy producers to coordinate that invisible backbone across a 14-state region that’s home to 18 million people. SPP doesn’t generate or sell electricity or own generators or transmission lines, but we coordinate our members’ assets and manage the flow of electricity. We also facilitate wholesale energy markets that in 2024 alone delivered $2.5 billion in savings to our members, and we direct long-term enhancements to the transmission system to keep up with demand. We do all this from our Little Rock headquarters with a team of nearly 1,000 people. It’s complex but rewarding work, providing a critical service.
What challenges face today’s electric generation and transmission industry?
After more than 30 years in this industry, I can say this: We’ve never seen such rapid change. As electricity use grows, electric reserves are tightening, leaving smaller margins to rely on during high-demand periods. Business has become energy-intensive, and our nation’s energy mix is evolving with more renewables and natural gas, fewer traditional generators, and innovations like battery storage. Against that backdrop, and with circumstances continuing to evolve, SPP helps our members deliver reliable and affordable electricity daily, from the hottest summer days to coldest winter nights.
What lesson of your career has benefited you most?
In a high-stakes industry where decisions can directly impact millions, it’s easy to second-guess yourself. Effective leadership requires quick and decisive action, though, and I’ve found the best way to build self-confidence is to embrace situations that challenge you. They’ll reveal strengths you already have and help you hone them.
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