James Burke Biography and Net Worth

Jim Burke, president and chief financial officer: As president and chief financial officer of Vistra, Burke has broad responsibility for the company’s accounting, risk, internal audit, treasury, tax, planning, M&A, and investor activities, along with overseeing the critical technology services function.

Burke previously served as chief operating officer of Vistra from 2016 until December 2020, with overall responsibility for running the day-to-day operations of the company, including fossil generation and mining, nuclear generation, and renewable and storage assets. He was also responsible for the retail business and other functions including, safety, supply chain, and asset closure. In addition, he was responsible for the development of renewable energy and battery storage projects, on both new and redeveloped sites.

He also previously served as chairman and CEO of TXU Energy, the leading competitive retailer in Texas and a subsidiary of Vistra and its predecessor company, Energy Future Holdings. Burke led TXU Energy from August 2005 to October 2016 after joining in late 2004 as senior vice president of TXU Energy’s residential markets.

Burke has worked in the retail electric market since 2001 in both the residential and commercial segments. Prior to joining TXU Energy, Burke was president and chief operating officer of Gexa Energy, a Houston-based retailer that was subsequently acquired by FPL in 2005. Prior to Gexa Energy, Burke was vice president of residential marketing then senior vice president of consumer operations with Reliant Energy.

Prior to his experience in competitive electricity markets, Burke worked at The Coca-Cola Company for six years, both domestically in the juice division of The Minute Maid Company and internationally in the expansion of the juice business through Coca-Cola Bottlers in Latin America, South Africa and Hong Kong. Prior to Coca-Cola, he was a management consultant for Deloitte & Touche Consulting.

Outside of his responsibilities at Vistra, Burke serves as a board member of the Nuclear Energy Institute, and an advisory board member for the Tulane University Energy Institute. He is also a member of the board for the United Way Foundation of Metropolitan Dallas and the Ursuline Academy of Dallas.

Burke is a graduate of Tulane University, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s in business administration in finance and general management. He is a licensed certified public accountant and has also earned the designation as a chartered financial analyst.