John W. Ketchum
Summary
John W. Ketchum is NextEra Energy’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, leading the company since becoming president and CEO in March 2022 and chairman in July 2022. ([nexteraenergy.com](https://www.nexteraenergy.com/about-us/leadership.html))
Biography
Ketchum joined NextEra Energy in 2002 and has held senior roles across its regulated utility, renewable-energy and finance businesses. Before becoming CEO, he served as president and CEO of NextEra Energy Resources, as CFO of NextEra Energy and Florida Power & Light, and in senior leadership roles at XPLR Infrastructure. ([nexteraenergy.com](https://www.nexteraenergy.com/about-us/leadership.html)) He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from the University of Arizona, graduating magna cum laude, and holds a Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws in taxation from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. He also completed Stanford University’s Emerging CFO–Strategic Financial Leadership Program. As CEO, he oversees a company combining FPL’s regulated utility operations with NextEra Energy Resources’ generation, storage and energy-infrastructure businesses. ([nexteraenergy.com](https://www.nexteraenergy.com/about-us/leadership.html))
Notable achievements
- Oversaw 2025 adjusted earnings-per-share growth of approximately 8.2% year over year, according to company-reported results. ([investor.nexteraenergy.com](https://www.investor.nexteraenergy.com/~/media/Files/N/NEE-IR/reports-and-fillings/quarterly-earnings/2025/Q4%202025/2026-0127%20NEEQ42025News%20Release%20vF.pdf?utm_source=openai))
- Led a period in which NextEra Energy Resources added approximately 13.5 gigawatts to its generation and storage backlog during 2025. ([investor.nexteraenergy.com](https://www.investor.nexteraenergy.com/~/media/Files/N/NEE-IR/reports-and-fillings/quarterly-earnings/2025/Q4%202025/2026-0127%20NEEQ42025News%20Release%20vF.pdf?utm_source=openai))
- Supported the expansion of battery storage, with more than 2 gigawatts placed into service in 2025 and the development backlog reaching approximately 30 gigawatts. ([investor.nexteraenergy.com](https://www.investor.nexteraenergy.com/~/media/Files/N/NEE-IR/reports-and-fillings/quarterly-earnings/2025/Q4%202025/Final%20Q4%202025%20Earnings%20Script%20vF.pdf?utm_source=openai))
- Promoted a nuclear-growth strategy, including agreements with Google related to restarting Iowa’s Duane Arnold nuclear plant and exploring additional U.S. nuclear generation. ([newsroom.nexteraenergy.com](https://newsroom.nexteraenergy.com/NextEra-Energy-and-Google-Announce-New-Collaboration-to-Accelerate-Nuclear-Energy-Deployment-in-the-U-S?utm_source=openai))
- Announced NextEra Energy’s proposed combination with Dominion Energy, a transaction intended to expand its regulated utility footprint across several states. ([investor.nexteraenergy.com](https://www.investor.nexteraenergy.com/news-and-events/news-releases/2026/05-18-2026-123054903?utm_source=openai))
Problem areas / controversies
- NextEra and FPL executives faced a shareholder lawsuit alleging that the company misled investors about political activities connected to FPL; in 2026, the company agreed to a proposed $150 million settlement without admitting wrongdoing, subject to court approval. ([utilitydive.com](https://www.utilitydive.com/news/nextera-energy-lawsuit-political-scandal-dominion/823137/?utm_source=openai))
- The political controversy involving FPL included allegations about funding so-called ghost candidates and efforts to influence Florida politics; these matters created reputational and litigation risks for NextEra during Ketchum’s tenure as CEO. ([miamiherald.com](https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article257737738.html?utm_source=openai))
- The proposed Dominion combination carries substantial execution, financing, integration and regulatory-approval risks, all of which the companies identified in their transaction disclosures. ([investor.nexteraenergy.com](https://www.investor.nexteraenergy.com/news-and-events/news-releases/2026/07-15-2026-225033405?utm_source=openai))
- The company remains exposed to interest rates, renewable-energy policy changes, permitting delays, construction costs, severe weather and other risks associated with a large capital program. ([investor.nexteraenergy.com](https://www.investor.nexteraenergy.com/news-and-events/news-releases/2025/01-28-2025-123116685?utm_source=openai))