# Brian Bird

> Brian B. Bird is the Sioux Falls-based president and chief executive officer of NorthWestern Energy, a role he assumed in January 2023 after serving as CFO and then president and COO. His public career centers on utility finance, reliable energy supply, infrastructure investment and the proposed combination with Black Hills Corp. His earlier experience includes Insight Energy and NRG Energy.

- **Role:** President and Chief Executive Officer at NorthWestern Energy
- **Organizations:** NorthWestern Energy, Insight Energy (former), NRG Energy (former), Energy Insurance Mutual, Edison Electric Institute, American Gas Association, Feeding South Dakota (former board service), Sioux Empire United Way (former board service), North Central Electric Association (past president), University of Idaho Utility Executive Course (former board service)
- **Education:** Undergraduate degree with a double major in Accounting and Finance, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, MBA in Finance, University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management
- **Known for:** Led NorthWestern’s finance function from December 2003 to February 2021., Advanced from CFO to president and COO, then to CEO in January 2023., Holds a Certified Public Accountant certificate.

## Career timeline

- **1986** — Began a career involving finance roles at energy and other large companies.
- **1997-2002** — Vice President and Treasurer at NRG Energy.
- **2002-2003** — CFO and Principal of Insight Energy.
- **2003-12** — Joined NorthWestern as Chief Financial Officer.
- **2021-02** — Became President and Chief Operating Officer.
- **2023-01** — Succeeded Bob Rowe as President and Chief Executive Officer and joined the board.
- **2025-08** — Named prospective CEO of the combined company in the proposed Black Hills-NorthWestern merger, contingent on closing.
- **2026-04** — Shareholders of both companies approved the merger proposals; the announced combined holding-company name is Bright Horizon Energy Corporation.

## Achievements

- Led NorthWestern’s finance function from December 2003 to February 2021.
- Advanced from CFO to president and COO, then to CEO in January 2023.
- Holds a Certified Public Accountant certificate.
- Served as the 2021 Sioux Empire United Way campaign chair.
- Selected to lead the proposed combined Black Hills-NorthWestern enterprise, subject to completion of the merger.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — On the July 30 second-quarter earnings call, Bird reiterated support for the proposed Black Hills merger and argued that a larger utility could compete and serve customers more effectively.
- **2026-04** — Both companies announced shareholder approval of the merger proposals on April 2 and named the proposed combined holding company Bright Horizon Energy Corporation; closing remained conditional.
- **2026-02** — At a Sioux Falls Rotary meeting, Bird discussed data-center demand, continued fossil-fuel generation and the possible future role of nuclear energy.

## Links

- Website: https://www.northwesternenergy.com/about-us/our-company/leadership
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-bird-014b4b4

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/brian-bird
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22