Pinnacle West Capital Corporation : APS Announces Senior Management Changes Moves Designed to Strengthen Performance and Customer Service

PHOENIX - Arizona Public Service today announced senior management changes that strengthen the company's leadership team and enhance its ability to provide customers with reliable, affordable electricity.   

APS President and Chief Operating Officer Don Robinson, 58, who has been on medical leave since December 2011, will hand off his day-to-day operational responsibilities and continue with the company as a senior advisor.  Robinson, who joined APS in 1978, will retain his title and join APS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Don Brandt in a newly created Office of the Chairman.

"Don will continue to be an advisor to me and the APS management team," said Brandt. "He is a trusted counselor and a good friend. No one knows APS and Arizona better."

Earlier this month, Robinson was awarded the 2012 Transformational Leader award from the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Mark Schiavoni, 56, is promoted to executive vice president, Operations. He will have responsibility for power procurement, all non-nuclear power generation, energy delivery, supply chain, environmental and safety. Schiavoni will report to Brandt.

"Last year, APS achieved new bests in reliability, customer satisfaction and safety," said Brandt. "Our challenge is to continue that high level of performance while also holding the line on prices for our customers. Bringing front-line operations together under Mark's leadership will enhance that effort."

Schiavoni joined APS in 2009. Prior to that, he spent nine years at Exelon Corporation, where he served as senior vice president of Exelon Generation and president of Exelon Power. He worked as a nuclear plant maintenance director for both Florida Power and Centerior Energy Corp. prior to joining Exelon in 2000 as a nuclear plant manager. Subsequently, he earned senior executive positions overseeing Exelon's fossil, hydroelectric and renewable facilities, as well as the construction and integration of new generation assets. Prior to his utility experience, Schiavoni spent 22 years in the U.S. Navy.

Jeff Guldner, 47, is promoted to senior vice president, Customers and Regulation. Guldner will oversee the customer service organization and the utility's interactions with the Arizona Corporation Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Guldner will report to Brandt.

"Our customers want APS to address energy efficiency, renewable energy and other important policy goals in a way that also keeps customer bills affordable," said Brandt. "This new role for Jeff will help us more effectively integrate our customer service approach with regulatory policy."

Guldner joined APS in 2004. Prior to that, he was a partner in the Phoenix office of Snell & Wilmer LLP, where he practiced energy and public utilities law. He also served in the U.S. Navy as a surface warfare officer. Guldner received his JD from Arizona State University and his BA from the University of Iowa.

APS, Arizona's largest and longest-serving electricity utility, serves more than 1.1 million customers in 11 of the state's 15 counties. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (NYSE: PNW).

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