Jesus Soto, Jr., serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at CenterPoint Energy Inc., where he oversees the company's electric transmission and distribution operations, natural gas distribution, and field services, managing a portfolio serving approximately 7 million customers across Texas, Louisiana, Minnesota, and other states. With over 30 years of experience in the energy industry, Soto began his career at Houston Lighting & Power Company before advancing through leadership roles at Reliant Energy. He joined CenterPoint Energy in 2003 as Vice President of Electric Delivery Operations, bringing expertise in engineering, operations, and regulatory compliance honed through his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Houston. Throughout his tenure at CenterPoint, Soto has driven significant operational enhancements, including grid modernization initiatives that have improved reliability and resilience amid extreme weather events such as Hurricanes Harvey and Beryl, Winter Storm Uri, and California wildfires. As Senior Vice President of Electric Operations and later Executive Vice President of the Electric Business, he spearheaded investments exceeding $10 billion in infrastructure upgrades, regulatory approvals for advanced metering, and storm response strategies that minimized outages and accelerated recovery. His leadership has earned industry recognition, including awards for operational excellence from the Edison Electric Institute. In his current role as COO, Soto continues to champion innovation in clean energy transitions, cybersecurity, and customer-centric service delivery, positioning CenterPoint as a leader in sustainable and reliable energy infrastructure. His strategic vision has contributed to the company's strong financial performance and commitment to environmental stewardship, ensuring safe, affordable energy for communities while navigating complex regulatory and market dynamics.