OPPD Board Panel Backs Via as Interim CEO
The Omaha Public Power District's governance committee has recommended its chief operating officer lead the utility on an interim basis after the current CEO departs.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in People
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The Governance Committee of the Omaha Public Power District board has recommended chief operating officer Troy Via become interim president and CEO. The move follows the announcement that President and CEO Javier Fernandez will leave the utility at year's end.
Why it matters
The recommendation sets up a leadership transition at one of Omaha's largest public utilities while the board searches for a permanent chief executive. Its outcome will determine who directs day-to-day operations during the gap.
The governance committee will present the recommendation on November 17 at the board's all-committee meeting, and the full board will vote on November 19. If approved, Via's interim tenure would begin January 1, while the board's search for a permanent successor has no stated timeline.
The players
Troy Via
Via is OPPD's chief operating officer and vice president of utility operations, having joined the utility in 2013 as director of energy marketing and trading.
Javier Fernandez
Fernandez is OPPD's president and chief executive officer, and his announced departure at year's end prompted the leadership search.
The details
The committee recommended that Via, who joined OPPD in 2013 as director of energy marketing and trading, serve as interim leader. Via holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Missouri and currently serves as chief operating officer and vice president of utility operations.
Timeline
November 17: Committee presents recommendation at all-committee meeting
November 19: Full board votes on the appointment at its regular meeting
January 1: Proposed start date of the interim appointment
Leadership Pattern
Elevating an internal operations executive during a CEO vacancy follows the pattern OPPD has used in prior transitions, keeping continuity while the board conducts a permanent search.
Ratepayers and Omaha-area residents served by OPPD will see whoever is named interim leader direct utility operations starting January 1 if the board approves. The appointment could shape day-to-day service decisions while the permanent CEO search continues.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions at public utilities often hinge on continuity, so watch the November 19 vote to see whether the board keeps operations steady through the search. Track board decisions directly for any changes to the proposed timeline.
What happens next
The OPPD board's all-committee meeting on November 17 will feature the committee's presentation, followed by the full board vote on November 19.
Further reading
Explore more People coverage to follow executive appointments at Omaha-area organizations.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Omaha World-Herald.
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