PINEVILLE, La. – On Wednesday, Feb. 8, Darren Olagues resigned as president and CEO of Cleco Corporate Holdings LLC and Cleco Power LLC, the company’s regulated electric utility.

“The board thanks him for his many contributions to Cleco over the years,” said Peggy Scott, Cleco board chair.

The Cleco board will begin a search for a permanent successor to Mr. Olagues. The search is expected to take up to 12 months.

While the search is underway, the board has asked Scott, its chair, to assume the role of interim CEO of Cleco Corporate Holdings. Scott, of Baton Rouge, recently retired as the executive vice president, chief operating officer, chief financial officer/treasurer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, the state’s largest health insurer.

The board appointed William “Bill” Fontenot, Cleco’s chief operating officer, interim CEO of Cleco Power. During Fontenot's 30 years of Cleco service, he managed the development and restructuring efforts of generation projects valued at over $900 million, as well as led the development and construction of a $1 billion power plant.  In the last five years, he has been responsible for operating the company’s generation, transmission and distribution assets.

Both appointments are effective immediately.