Bob Rowe

Bob Rowe is a nationally recognized utility CEO, an industry thought leader and a corporate board member. Bob is known for achieving sustainable growth and implementing excellent corporate governance, financial controls and discipline. He has infrastructure and technology expertise, helping to make decisions on investments and deployments. He has regulatory and legal experience across multiple sectors – telecommunications, electricity and natural gas.

He served as CEO of NorthWestern Energy (NWE) from August 2008 until retiring in January 2023, and was the only non-independent director on NorthWestern’s Board. Following NorthWestern Energy’s emergence from bankruptcy, Bob led a corporate renewal benefiting shareholders, employees and customers. He developed effective stakeholder relationships and transformed the company’s culture and safety climate preparing it for a rapidly changing environment.

Bob served on the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and co-chaired EEI’s Institute for Electric Innovation, its CEO Committee on State Policy and Engagement, and its Customer-centricity Task Force. He helped lead EEI’s partnership with technology companies, development of customer service strategies, regulatory policies, and engagement with non-U.S. electric companies. He continues to serve on the EEI Global Executive Leadership Network.

He also served on the American Gas Association (AGA) Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and continues to serve on the AGA Foundation Board, overseeing funded research projects. He served on the Western Energy Institute (WEI) Board of Directors and Executive Committee (Past Chair) and continues to serve as a trainer for senior staff in the utility sector.

Prior to joining NorthWestern, Bob was Co-founder of Balhoff, Rowe & Williams, LLC, a national policy and financial consulting firm, focusing on technology and telecoms companies, including transactions and strategy. Bob and his partners provided strategic, policy, and financial advice to CEOs, CFOs and COOs from mid-cap and large-cap wireline and wireless companies and associations.

Bob served as Commissioner on the Montana Public Service Commission from 1993 to 2004. During this time, he was President of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC); Chair of the NARUC Telecommunications Committee; a member of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service; proposer and member of the FCC Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Services.