Paul Foster is stepping down as board chairman for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the Texas power grid manager announced June 18.

Foster was named chairman of ERCOT’s board in October 2021 in the aftermath of the February 2021 arctic blast from Winter Storm Uri that left millions of Texans without electricity for days.

During Foster’s tenure, ERCOT implemented several changes to the design of the Texas power grid in an attempt to boost reliability.

“Pauls’ extensive experience, insight and pursuit of grid reliability have been integral to ERCOT and to the electric power industry in Texas,” said ERCOT President and CEO Pablo Vegas in a statement.

“Paul has contributed his time and efforts to see ERCOT through some challenging times and has consistently acted in the best interest of Texas,” Vegas continued. “His legacy will leave a positive and long-lasting impact on the future of the electric grid and our state.”

Foster currently serves as president of Franklin Mountain LLC, an El Paso, Texas-based investment group with holdings in energy, private equity, real state, construction, sports and other verticals.

He’s also the founder and former executive chairman of El Paso-based Western Refining. Western Refining completed a $5.8 billion sale to Tesoro Corp. in 2017 before Tesoro sold to Marathon Petroleum for $23 billion.

In 2018, Foster co-founded Franklin Mountain Energy alongside members of the Western Refining team and Audrey Robertson, executive vice president of finance.

Today, Denver-based Franklin Mountain Energy is one of the largest privately held oil producers in the New Mexico Delaware Basin and a major target for acquisition.

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