---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000072903-21-000079"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "XEL"
cik: "0000072903"
company_name: "XCEL ENERGY INC"
filed_at: "2021-10-28T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-28T17:03:45.576828+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.5
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Xcel Energy Executive Chairman Ben Fowke to retire Dec 31; CEO Frenzel to become Chairman

## Summary
- Ben Fowke notified Xcel Energy on Oct 25, 2021 that he will retire as Executive Chairman effective Dec 31, 2021.
- Fowke had stepped down as CEO in Aug 2021 and stayed on for a transition period focusing on national energy policy.
- Effective Dec 31, 2021, President and CEO Robert Frenzel will assume the additional role of Chairman of the Board.
- Frenzel has been Xcel Energy's President and CEO since Aug 2021 and will now lead the Board as well.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000072903-21-000079
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: XEL
- cik: 0000072903
- company_name: XCEL ENERGY INC
- filed_at: 2021-10-28T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.5
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/72903/000007290321000079/0000072903-21-000079-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/72903/000007290321000079/xel-20211025.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000072903-21-000079
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000072903-21-000079.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000072903-21-000079.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Ben Fowke departed as Executive Chairman at XCEL ENERGY INC.
  - Action: retire
  - Role: Executive Chairman
  source text: On October 25, 2021, Ben Fowke, Executive Chairman of Xcel Energy Inc. (“Xcel Energy”), notified Xcel Energy that he will retire from the Xcel Energy Board of Directors (the “Board”) and as Executive Chairman effective December 31, 2021.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/72903/000007290321000079/0000072903-21-000079-index.htm
- Executive change
  Robert Frenzel was appointed as Chairman of the Board at XCEL ENERGY INC.
  - Action: will assume
  - Role: Chairman of the Board
  source text: On October 27, 2021, the Board determined that, effective December 31, 2021 and upon Mr. Fowke’s retirement as Executive Chairman, Mr. Frenzel will assume the role of Chairman of the Board.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/72903/000007290321000079/0000072903-21-000079-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.