Edison International Names Aaron Moss as New CFO, Adds Susan Hardwick to Board
Edison International (NYSE: EIX) announced significant leadership changes on April 23, 2026, appointing Aaron D. Moss as the company's next Chief Financial Officer and expanding its board with the addition of M. Susan Hardwick as an independent director.
The Change
Aaron D. Moss, 55, will assume the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Edison International effective July 3, 2026. He will succeed Maria Rigatti, who is retiring after serving as the utility holding company's CFO. Rigatti will step down from her CFO position on July 3 but remain with the company as Executive Vice President until her official retirement on September 1, 2026.
The transition comes with a substantial compensation package for Moss. His annual salary will increase to $730,000, with a target annual incentive of 85% of base salary under the company's Executive Incentive Compensation Plan. Additionally, he will receive supplemental long-term incentive awards valued at approximately $603,196, allocated across stock options (25%), restricted stock units (25%), and performance shares (50%).
Simultaneously, Edison International expanded its Board of Directors from 11 to 12 members by electing M. Susan Hardwick as an independent director, effective April 23, 2026. Hardwick will serve on both the Audit and Finance Committee and the Compensation and Executive Personnel Committee.
Background
Moss brings extensive financial leadership experience within the Edison International ecosystem. He has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Southern California Edison (SCE), the company's principal subsidiary, since 2022. His tenure with the organization spans nearly a decade, having previously held the position of Vice President and Controller for both Edison International (2016-2022) and SCE (2017-2021).
This internal promotion reflects a pattern of developing leadership from within the company's ranks. Moss's deep institutional knowledge of Edison International's operations, gained through his progressive roles in financial management and control functions, positions him well for the parent company's top financial role.
The board expansion with Hardwick's appointment brings additional independent oversight to Edison International's governance structure. Her placement on both the Audit and Finance Committee and the Compensation Committee suggests the board is strengthening its financial oversight and executive compensation governance capabilities.
What It Means
The smooth CFO succession plan, announced three months before the transition date, signals organizational stability and careful planning at Edison International. By promoting internally, the company ensures continuity in financial strategy and maintains institutional knowledge during a period when utilities face significant capital deployment decisions related to grid modernization and clean energy transitions.
Moss's compensation package, with its heavy weighting toward long-term incentive awards tied to performance shares, aligns his interests with shareholder value creation. The 50% allocation to performance shares specifically ties his compensation to the company's ability to meet strategic objectives over multiple years.
The retirement of Maria Rigatti represents the loss of experienced leadership, but the extended transition period through September provides ample time for knowledge transfer and ensures operational continuity. Her continued service as Executive Vice President during this period should facilitate a seamless handover of responsibilities.
For investors, these leadership changes suggest Edison International is positioning itself for its next phase of growth with leaders who understand both the company's operational complexities and the evolving utility landscape. The board expansion with Hardwick's appointment strengthens governance oversight at a time when utilities face increased scrutiny over capital allocation, rate cases, and infrastructure investments.
The company also made technical amendments to its bylaws, clarifying officer duties and succession protocols, particularly around the CFO, Controller, and Treasurer positions. These governance updates provide clearer organizational structure and ensure smooth operations during any future leadership transitions.
As Edison International navigates the energy transition, grid hardening initiatives, and regulatory requirements in California, the stability provided by this planned leadership transition should allow management to maintain focus on strategic execution rather than organizational disruption.
*Source: Edison International Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 23, 2026*
*StockCliff Research*