Frank Almaraz was appointed interim CEO of CPS Energy during a board meeting on June 4, 2026 in San Antonio, as outgoing chief Rudy Garza prepares to depart for the Lower Colorado River Authority. The utility said Garza will remain through June 30, 2026 to support the handover, with the interim appointment effective immediately and a national search for a permanent leader underway.
The decision matters for a municipally owned utility that serves approximately 970,000 electric accounts and 390,000 natural gas customers, underpinning energy reliability and rates across San Antonio and Bexar County. Leadership continuity affects ongoing strategic prioritiesincluding system modernization, generation planning, and potential rate actions that have drawn scrutiny from city leaders. Last update: June 5, 2026.
Board action and transition timeline
Board chair Francine Romero said the personnel committee was confident in Almaraz’s fit for the interim role, adding, “The Personnel Committee has confidence that his background and experience make him the appropriate leader to serve in this interim role.” Almaraz stated the team would continue on the path set by trustees, saying, “Our team is committed to continuing on the strategic path laid out by the board over the past several years,” emphasizing continuity as the utility advances its plans.
Garza’s transition includes remaining with the organization through June 30 to ensure operational stability and leadership handover, before taking the general manager post at the LCRA in July. The board of trusteesled by Romero with Dr. Erika Gonzalez, activated the CEO Search Committee and began a national search; it was not immediately clear whether Almaraz would seek the role permanently.
Almaraz’s experience across operations and strategy
Almaraz served at CPS Energy from 2011 to 2026 in senior posts that included Chief Power, Sustainability, and Business Development Officer, providing breadth across generation planning, customer programs, and new market initiatives. He rejoined the utility as Chief Operating Officer in February 2026, positioning him to step into day-to-day oversight of supply and delivery for electricity and natural gas during the interim period and to maintain operational performance.
Beyond CPS Energy, Almaraz led Braya Renewable Fuels as CEO and briefly served as interim president and CEO at Young Brothers, LLC in Hawaii from January to February 2026, adding executive experience in logistics and low-carbon fuels. His board service has included roles with the DoSeum, the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the American Gas Association, reinforcing an industry-facing profile that aligns with a community-focused utility.
Garza’s tenure and strategic initiatives
Garza, who has led CPS Energy for 14 years, oversaw initiatives branded as Vision 2027, Vision 2030, and Horizon 2050, which the utility credits with strengthening its generation portfolio and safety culture while keeping bills competitive. He guided post-crisis stabilization after Winter Storm Uri, with Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones noting, “I’m thankful for Rudy’s steadfast leadership that saw CPS emerge from Winter Storm Uri well-positioned to seize on strategic investments that secured resilient, clean and affordable energy for our community.”
Garza described his tenure in collaborative terms, stating, “It has been the honor of my lifetime to work with the talented and dedicated team at CPS Energy,” and highlighted the “One Team” approach to long-term planning for Greater San Antonio. His move to the LCRA places him at another major Texas public utility, while CPS Energy seeks to sustain momentum on resilience and affordability goals.
Utility footprint, rates, and governance
Established in 1860, CPS Energy is the largest combined public power and gas utility in the United States and has contributed $10.1 billion to the City of San Antonio since 1942, underscoring its role in the municipal budget and economic development. The utility cited nearly 900,000 residential and commercial customers in San Antonio and Bexar County within its broader footprint, where it functions as the sole electricity provider—an arrangement distinct from competitive retail markets such as Houston.
That monopoly status places added weight on leadership decisions and oversight around budgets and rate proposalswhich have drawn attention from the San Antonio City Council amid potential water rate and property tax changes. As interim CEO, Almaraz is expected to advance enterprise technology transformation, maintain service reliability, and evaluate pricing in line with board direction, while the search committee works toward naming a permanent chief to steer long-term plans.