STATEMENT FROM CPS ENERGY PRESIDENT & CEO, PAULA GOLD-WILLIAMS

San Antonio, TX – July 16, 2019 – Today, Paula Gold-Williams, President & CEO of CPS Energy, announced she will step down as the 2019 Chair of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. 

The following is her statement:

After much thought and consideration, I am announcing my plan to step down from my position as Chair of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce (SACC). It has been a privilege to serve as Chair, and I want to thank both my Chamber colleagues and my CPS Energy Board of Trustees for supporting my time at the helm. In my role as President & CEO of CPS Energy, San Antonio’s municipally owned utility, I often say, “electrons and molecules love everyone.” Therefore, I am humbled to lead an organization of approximately 3,200 team members who serve our greater metropolitan community’s two (2) million residents, businesses, and other valuable organizations. Together, it is our honor to be the community’s utility experts who work hard every day to balance energy security, safety, reliability, resilience, environmental impact, and affordability.

The recently escalated lawsuit about paid sick leave between the City of San Antonio and a group of business plaintiffs is a very complicated development. I have prudently decided that under these circumstances, it is not helpful for me to be in the middle of a serious and formalized legal conflict between CPS Energy’s parent organization and its customers. Over the next several weeks, I will work in good faith with the SACC to transition my Chair responsibilities smoothly. This said, I remain hopeful that this formal dispute can be resolved equitably and expeditiously for our community’s benefit.

Looking back, I have truly cherished my opportunity to serve as the SACC Chair, especially relative to the following accomplishments that all Chamber members share:

• We executed a very successful SA-TO-DC trip for a record number of community businesses, affiliate chambers, educators, administrators, associations, and civic leaders with the following great outcomes:
  • We visited with multiple businesses that have either considered relocating or have relocated to our community.
  • We promoted and ultimately successfully secured San Antonio as the host of the 2020 Warrior Games.
  • We advocated for funding for the EXPORT-IMPORT BANK and for reimbursement for the Mission Reach Project.
• We increased our support and engagement with our military, including enhancing our focus on cyber security and supporting military families. 
  • Specifically, with our partner Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) also in attendance, our city was honored to receive the Community Leader Impact Award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. We were recognized for community efforts to successfully focus on military spouses who seek to continue their careers inside and outside of military gates. 
  • We advocated for military spouse compensation.
• We constructively engaged during the 86th Legislative Session:
  • Supporting our Bexar County Delegation that emphasized better programs and funding for students and teachers.
• We enhanced our support of women through the following very successful initiatives:
  • The annual “Tribute to Women Business Leaders” Luncheon.
  • The refresh of the Woman-to-Woman, Leader-to-Leader (WWLL) program.
  • The simultaneous creation of a program titled “Women You Need to Know” to encourage businesses and women to “lean in” to both challenging and promising career opportunities.

These are a few of many accomplishments over six (6) months of intense work and wonderful collaboration. I want to thank the many awesome community leaders who have, and who will continue to serve diligently in their SACC Leadership roles. I also want to thank the SACC team who serve this community so passionately and effectively. The pride they take in their work is truly inspiring.

To be born and raised in this community, a humble product of our east side, has created an even deeper meaning for me to have earned the opportunity to be the 2019 Chamber Chair. As the President & CEO of CPS Energy, I continue to be thankful to San Antonio and will keep driving exceptional value for our community, the State of Texas, and the broad utility energy industry.

Paula Gold-Williams

President & CEO, CPS Energy