Western Power Chair Colin Beckett today announced the resignation of Chief Executive Officer Ed Kalajzic. Mr Kalajzic has accepted an opportunity outside the business, which is expected to be announced shortly.
“I’d like to thank Mr Kalajzic for his invaluable leadership of Western Power over the past two years,” Mr Beckett said.
“As CEO, Mr Kalajzic has delivered our new Corporate Strategy and, subsequently, our AA5 submission. Both of these significant achievements set the framework for our ongoing decarbonisation journey through the evolution of the grid and the continued delivery of safe, reliable and affordable power supply to the Western Australian community.
“During this time, Mr Kalajzic has also led our response to major events such as the Wooroloo bushfires and Tropical Cyclone Seroja, as well as the unfolding impacts of COVID.”
Mr Beckett said the Board would begin a comprehensive search for a new CEO immediately, with Executive Manager Asset Operations Sam Barbaro acting as CEO in the interim.
“Since joining Western Power in 2007, Mr Barbaro has held a number of leadership roles at Western Power and brings a diverse range of technical, operational and management experience from across the business, and knowledge of the energy sector overall.”
“In his current role as Executive Manager Asset Operations, Mr Barbaro is accountable for around 1,800 operational staff and hundreds of external contractors that plan and deliver almost $1B annual works program to ensure the continued safety, reliability and expansion of Western Power's transmission and distribution electricity networks.”