CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) announced that the company’s Board of Directors has appointed Earl M. Cummings as its Independent Board Chair. Mr. Cummings has served as an Independent Director of CenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors since 2020. During that time, he has also served as the Chair of the Governance, Environmental and Sustainability Committee, as well as a member of the Audit and Compensation Committees.
Mr. Cummings succeeds Martin H. Nesbitt, who served as Independent Board Chair since July 2021.
The Board of Directors and CenterPoint Energy’s leadership team said, “We would like to express our appreciation to Marty Nesbitt for his outstanding leadership at a pivotal and transformational time for our company. Marty’s strategic direction and steady guidance, including his deep commitments to succession planning and talent development, further strengthened our company’s foundation as a pure-play, regulated and premium utility.”
The company added, “Earl’s extensive leadership experience, combined with his background in corporate governance, government and regulatory affairs, and finance, make him the right leader for this important role. As a lifelong Houstonian, Earl’s reputation as a respected and innovative leader in our headquarters city is second-to-none.”
Mr. Cummings said, “I feel privileged to take on the role of Independent Chair of the Board at such an exciting time for our company. I am confident that we can continue delivering on our track record of proven performance and sustainable value for customers, communities, investors and employees as we execute on our long-term growth strategy. I look forward to working closely with the Board, CEO Dave Lesar, President and Chief Operating Officer Jason Wells, and the entire CenterPoint Energy leadership team to advance on what we believe is one of the most tangible growth stories in the industry.”
Mr. Cummings is an entrepreneur and has started and operated several businesses in the technology and real estate industries. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors of Halliburton Company.
Mr. Cummings’ entrepreneurial and leadership endeavors include serving as managing partner of MCM Houston Properties, LLC, a real estate fund that invests in properties in Houston. He also serves as Chief Executive Officer of The BTS Team, which began as an information technology and staffing firm providing solutions and services across several regions and evolved into a company that also invested financial resources in various industries to create value for stakeholders. Mr. Cummings previously served as its Chief Information Officer and Chairman of the Board. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of BestAssets, Inc., a private company providing real estate portfolio management and related services.
He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems from the University of Houston and a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University. Active across communities and in nonprofit board service, Mr. Cummings serves on the Board of Texas Children’s Hospital and the University of Houston Energy Advisory Board.
