FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Sept. 22, 2020 – Black Hills Energy yesterday announced the promotion of Wes Ashton to vice president of customer experience and the appointment of Chad Kinsley to vice president of operations for Black Hills Energy in Arkansas. In his new role, Kinsley is responsible for all aspects of managing operations for Black Hills Energy in Arkansas. Black Hills Energy serves more than 175,000 customers in over 100 Arkansas communities including Bentonville, Blytheville, Fayetteville, Harrison, Ozark, Rogers and Springdale.

“Having served as the director of gas operations in Arkansas for the past two years, Chad brings both industry knowledge and operational experience within the Arkansas service area. This background well positions him to lead a team that is focused on our mission to improve life with energy in the communities we serve while providing safe and reliable natural gas service to Arkansas customers,” said Todd Jacobs, vice president of natural gas utilities, Black Hills Corp.

Kinsley graduated from South Dakota School of mines and technology with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering and has held diverse leadership roles in the manufacturing, medical device, and utility industries.  Kinsley joined Black Hills Energy in 2016 as electric distribution reliability manager and has since served the company in both the electric and natural gas utilities.

Kinsley, who relocated to Arkansas in 2018 as the director of gas operations, replaces Ashton and will continue to be based in Fayetteville.