Powerlist – Adam Richins – Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer – Idaho Power

Adam Richins has served as Idaho Power’s senior vice president and chief operating officer for nearly five years and during that time, his leadership has catapulted the company to new heights. In the last 18 months, Idaho Power has developed and constructed nearly $2 billion of infrastructure to meet customer needs, which includes solar, wind and energy storage projects across the state.

The growth in infrastructure is nearly three times what Idaho Power has experienced in the past.

Recently, Idaho Power launched an app to improve customer communications and to help improve its public safety power shutoff program. Richins and his team have also attended more than 90 public meetings and have invested significant capital in their system to help reduce the risk of wildfires. Richins is also committed to preserving and protecting Idaho’s natural resources through its Snake Rier Stewardship program, which helps ensure that farmers, wildlife and recreation users can enjoy the river for many more generations.

Richins explained that his career didn’t start out in the utility industry, but with 13 years under his belt now, the challenges that come from the complexity of the energy sector are what keep him motivated.

“I have enjoyed the many challenges of working in different areas of the company and have been fortunate to have wonderful colleagues and mentors along the way,” Richins said. “Being the leader of an 1,800-person team involves working with a lot of different personalities on many different subjects. I am fascinated by what drives people.”