Delgado announces retirement from American Transmission Co.
PEWAUKEE, Wis. – As the founder and first chief executive of the utility that has become a national leader in building electric transmission infrastructure, José M. Delgado, executive chairman of American Transmission Co., has announced his plans to retire effective Feb. 28, 2010, after 10 years with the company. John C. Procario was hired in April as president and chief executive officer and will succeed Delgado as chairman of the board.
Delgado was named CEO of ATC in late 1999 to form and lead the first multi-state transmission-only utility in the United States with assets in four states: Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois.
Since ATC became operational on Jan. 1, 2001, the company has grown from $500 million in assets to $2.5 billion today. Under Delgado’s leadership, ATC invested more than $2 billion in transmission infrastructure to improve electric system reliability and provide better access to power. The company has built and upgraded more than 1,800 miles of transmission lines including the 220-mile Arrowhead-Weston transmission line from Wausau, Wis., to Duluth, Minn. Overcoming considerable public opposition, ATC completed this project safely, within budget and ahead of schedule while delivering significant electrical, environmental and economic benefits to the region. For this project, ATC was recognized with the Edison Electric Institute’s 2009 Edison Award – considered the industry’s highest honor.
Delgado established a strong environmental ethic at ATC. In 2005, the company became the first utility in Wisconsin to receive the Green Tier designation from the Department of Natural Resources for demonstrating superior environmental performance. In 2009, the company’s new corporate headquarters was built with water reclamation, solar power and other sustainable features and aims at a gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) designation from the U.S. Green Building Council.
In assessing his career at the helm of ATC, Delgado said, “The transmission grid is in much better shape than when we started operations in 2001. That was one of the major reasons for our formation. We resolved the limitations affecting electric operations in our region, improving reliability and access, and delivering significant economic and environmental benefits, as well.”
He added, “On nearly 60 transmission line projects, ATC developed a reputation for communicating openly and treating the public fairly, and for our expertise in planning, siting and building transmission. Our employees have operated the system expertly as well. Now, John Procario and our staff are ready to take ATC to the next level.”
Prior to the formation of ATC, Delgado spent 27 years at Wisconsin Electric Power Co. (d.b.a. We Energies) starting as an electrical engineer and ending as vice president of Electric System Operations.
Delgado, a recognized leader in the electric industry, has served in numerous positions and organizations within the industry. He was the first chairman of the North American Electric Reliability Corp.’s Transmission Owners and Operators Forum. He has been co-chair of EEI’s CEO Reliability Committee and vice president of the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies. He also has served on the Industry Leaders Council of the Consortium for Electric Reliability Technology Solutions (the advisory board to the Department of Energy laboratories). He is a member of the Department of Energy’s Electric System Reliability Task Force.
Earlier, Delgado was president of MAIN, the former regional reliability council for eastern Wisconsin, Illinois and western Missouri, and a trustee of NERC, as well as other positions on committees within the utility industry.
He is an alumnus of Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
