Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. and its primary operating subsidiary, Southwest Gas Corporation, announced that its Board of Directors appointed Justin Brown to succeed Karen Haller as Chief Executive Officer, effective May 8, 2026. Mr. Brown has been nominated to join the Board of Directors following the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Having led the Company through its successful transition to a fully regulated natural gas business and positioned it for significant growth, Ms. Haller has decided to retire as President and CEO and member of the Board following a distinguished 29-year career with the Company. To support a smooth transition, Ms. Haller will serve as an advisor to the Company through the end of 2026.
“Justin Brown has a proven track record leading our utility operations over the last few years, and the Board has full confidence in him as Southwest Gas’ next Chief Executive Officer,” said E. Renae Conley, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Justin is a deeply respected leader, having driven positive regulatory outcomes, and operational and financial improvement through our utility optimization plan. Throughout his more than two decades with the Company, he has demonstrated sound judgment, operational excellence, and a strong commitment to serving our customers, communities, and stockholders. The Board looks forward to working closely with him.”
Ms. Conley continued, “On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I want to thank Karen for her outstanding leadership and dedication. Karen’s decision to retire follows a successful tenure as CEO, where she guided the Company through significant milestones, including the sale of MountainWest and the separation of Centuri, transforming Southwest Gas into a fully regulated natural gas business with a premier balance sheet. Her focus on safety, strong community relationships, and unwavering commitment to providing reliable, affordable service has unlocked value for stockholders and set the Company up for long‑term success. We are grateful for her many contributions and wish her well in retirement.”
“It has been a privilege to lead Southwest Gas and to work alongside an exceptional team committed to excellence and service,” said Ms. Haller. “I am grateful to our employees for their dedication and to the Board for its steadfast guidance and partnership throughout my tenure. As I prepare to retire, I am confident that Southwest Gas is well-positioned for the future. Justin is the right leader to guide the Company into its next phase, and I depart knowing that Southwest Gas is positioned to thrive for years to come.”
Mr. Brown said, “I am grateful for the Board’s confidence in me and for Karen’s exceptional leadership and partnership over the years. Having served as President of our utility for the past four years, I am honored to step into the CEO role and to continue working alongside our extraordinary team. Our success comes from our people, our culture and our shared commitment to the pursuit of excellence, and I am excited to build on that momentum as we partner with our regulators, advance our utility optimization plan, and strengthen safety, affordability and reliability for the customers and communities who count on us every day. Together, we will continue to create value for all of our stakeholders.”
