Gas utility Spire announced Thursday that it would elevate Steve Lindsey to become its new CEO and president, effective Oct. 1.
Steve Lindsey
Lindsey currently serves as chief operating officer and executive vice president for the St. Louis-based gas utility, and will replace the company’s departing leader, Suzanne Sitherwood, who is retiring.
Lindsey has held executive roles with Spire for 11 years. Prior to his time with the company, he spent more than two decades elsewhere within the natural gas industry, serving in leadership roles with utilities such as Atlanta Gas Light, Chattanooga Gas, and Florida City Gas.
“Natural gas is a key part of this country’s energy future,†Lindsey said, in a press release. “I’m honored to have been part of Spire’s journey of growth and evolution over the last 11 years, and I look forward to working with the talented and dedicated employees of Spire as we continue to move the company and the energy industry forward.â€
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Sitherwood, the outgoing CEO, will remain as a senior adviser and Spire board member through the end of the year.
After becoming CEO in 2012, Sitherwood’s tenure brought significant transformation to the utility — which dramatically expanded through acquisitions, and even changed its identity from Laclede Gas to Spire, dropping the name it had shared with St. Louis’ founder for well over a century. Spire serves some 1.7 million homes and businesses.
Sitherwood’s tenure has included controversies tied to the company’s conduct surrounding a natural gas pipeline built to serve the St. Louis region. After almost roughly two years in service, the Spire STL Pipeline had its approval rescinded in 2021, amid federal judicial and regulator concerns that the need for the project was never properly demonstrated.
The line’s approval was renewed in December, although top officials said it never should’ve been granted in the first place.
Lindsey has a mechanical engineering degree from Georgia Institute of Technology, and belongs to several gas industry leadership associations. During his time with Spire, Lindsey has volunteered on the boards of organizations, including St. Louis Children’s Hospital, the Regional Business Council of St. Louis, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, the St. Louis ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ Commission, the Kansas City Civic Council and the Missouri Energy Development Association.
