John P. Hester is the former Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. He has a solid educational background with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and over 35 years of experience in the utility industry. Hester began his...

John P. Hester is the former Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. He has a solid educational background with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and over 35 years of experience in the utility industry. Hester began his career at Southwest Gas and worked his way up through various leadership roles, handling important tasks around regulatory affairs and energy resources. He was named CEO on March 1, 2015, after previously serving as the President of the company. Excitingly, during his time as CEO, he navigated the company through significant changes, earning a special cash bonus of $500,000 for his leadership in 2023. Hester also received a hefty lump sum after his retirement, totaling over $2.45 million, reflecting his commitment and the impact he had on the company. While at the helm, he focused on aligning executive pay with company performance, ensuring that the interests of shareholders and executives were directly connected. After retiring in May 2022, he continued to support the company by providing legal assistance on a contractual basis. Hester's journey shows how long-term dedication in a company can lead to valuable leadership roles and significant contributions to its growth.