Jason Wells has been appointed the new CFO of Centerpoint Energy. He replaces Xia Liu, who bolted in May, after less than a year to become the CFO at WEC Energy. Kristie Colvin, the interim CFO, reverts to her previous role of Chief Accounting Officer.

Mr Wells joins from PG&E Corporation, the embattled California utility. He joined PG&E in 2007 and became CFO in January 2016. PG&E filed for bankruptcy in January 2019 and exited in July 2020, with a newly-reconstituted board. 11 of the 14 directors are new. The CEO, Bill Johnson, stepped down on June 30, having been in the role for only 15 months. The company had also announced plans to move its head office from San Francisco to Oakland.

Mr Wells will receive a base salary of $650,000 and a sign-on equity award of restricted stock units worth $1 million, that will fully vest in two years. The company will also buy his residence in San Francisco and pay for relocation expenses.

Centerpoint appointed Dave Lesar, the former Halliburton CEO, as its new CEO on July 1. Under pressure from activist investor, Elliott Management, the company is slimming down to become more of pure-play utility company.

SEC Filing – Centerpoint Wells appointment