Avista Corp. CEO announces retirement next year, names successor [Video]

SPOKANE, Wash. — The Chief Executive Officer of Spokane-based Avista Corp., Dennis Vermillion, announced he will retire from the company in the first quarter of 2025. 

Taking over the role is Avista President and COO Heather Rosentrater, who was appointed to CEO by the company’s board of directors, starting January 1, 2025.

“Succession planning is something that we’ve carefully considered and purposely planned for over the years,” said Vermillion in a press release. “Heather has demonstrated a strong commitment to our company, employees, communities, and shareholders. I am confident she will successfully lead Avista into the future… I’m excited for Avista’s future under Heather’s leadership as CEO, the first female CEO in our company’s history.”

The release goes on to say that Rosentrater spent her entire professional career at Avista, starting all the way back in 1996 as a student …