Brian Van Abel

Brian Van Abel is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Xcel Energy. He leads the finance functions of Xcel Energy and its subsidiary companies, which includes the controller’s office, treasury, tax, financial planning & analysis, investor relations, revenue requirements and corporate development. His work experience prior to Xcel Energy includes four years of management consulting in the retail banking sector where he advised financial institutions on a wide range of engagements. 

Prior to being named CFO in 2020, Van Abel served as Senior Vice President of Finance and Corporate Development. In that role he was responsible for developing the short-term and long-term financial plans of the company, partnering with business units on financial planning, and overseeing the financial aspects of regulatory filings. He also oversaw the corporate development organization responsible for executing on acquisitions and divestitures and the purchased power organization responsible for managing the company’s renewable and thermal power contracts. Prior to that, Van Abel held the role of Vice President and Treasurer in which he was responsible for the financial integrity of the company by managing the capital structure, planning the company’s financings, and ensuring the company maintained sufficient liquidity. 

Van Abel earned a Master of Business Administration degree with emphasis in finance from the University of Michigan in 2010 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Dartmouth College in 2004, with emphasis in finance from the University of Michigan.