Avista Corp has appointed Heather Rosentrater as its new Chief Executive Officer, making her the first woman to lead the energy company. Currently serving as the President and Chief Operating Officer, Rosentrater will step into her new role on January 1, 2025, following the retirement of current CEO Dennis Vermillion.
Vermillion, who will retire in the first quarter of 2025, has been at the helm of Avista for several years. He expressed confidence in Rosentrater’s ability to steer the company forward, citing her commitment and innovative approach. “Succession planning is something that we’ve carefully considered and purposely planned for over the years,” said Vermillion. “Heather has demonstrated a strong commitment to our company, employees, communities, and shareholders. I am confident she will successfully lead Avista into the future. At every turn since joining Avista, Heather has positioned our utility to be at the forefront of innovation. She has demonstrated she possesses the values, strength, acumen, and insights to lead Avista during these unique times. I’m excited for Avista’s future under Heather’s leadership as CEO, the first female CEO in our company’s history.”
Rosentrater, a long-serving executive at Avista, started her journey with the company back in 1996. Beginning as a student engineering technician at what was then Avista Labs, she moved through the ranks, taking on roles in electrical engineering and later in leadership positions across various departments. Her extensive experience has seen her manage everything from electric transmission to natural gas supply, demonstrating her wide-ranging expertise and deep understanding of the energy sector.
Reflecting on her new role, Rosentrater spoke of her personal and professional connection to the company and the community. “My family’s history in the area extends back to the founding of Avista, what was then called Washington Water Power, and the Spokane Falls has been the backdrop of my career,” she said. “Having grown up in the area, including attending Gonzaga University, I am extremely honored to help continue Avista’s long-standing legacy of supporting community vitality through energy. It’s an incredible time to be in the energy industry. We have important work ahead of us to achieve our clean energy goals safely, responsibly, and affordably while remaining focused on our financial results. I’m excited to support Avista’s dedicated and skilled employees and to partner with our communities, customers, and other stakeholders to advance that effort. As Avista celebrates its 135th anniversary this year, I’m confident that our trustworthy, collaborative, and innovative values set Avista up for success for the next 135 years.”
Avista, known for its emphasis on sustainability, boasts a notable record on clean energy, with nearly 60% of its electricity generated from renewable sources, including a significant 48% from hydropower. The utility serves a large area, providing electric service to communities across 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and parts of Oregon.