Brian Van Abel became executive vice president and CFO at Xcel Energy in March 2020, just as the global pandemic was taking hold. He leads the finance functions of the Minneapolis-based energy company, which serves nearly 2 million customers across eight states, as well as its subsidiary companies, which altogether bring in $13.4 billion in annual revenue. Van Abel helped the Fortune 500 company navigate unprecedented pandemic challenges, achieving its earnings guidance despite an economic downturn. He oversaw the sale of Mankato Energy Center; its net proceeds, expected to be about $20 million, are going to short- and long-term corporate giving, including pandemic relief. Van Abel is heavily involved in Xcel’s plans to become a net-zero energy provider by 2050.