The much-beloved José Delgado went home to our Lord on Sunday, January 24, 2021, at the age of 74. He died unexpectedly of a stroke while attending an Opus Dei workshop in Texas.
José was a Cuban-American engineer whose career helped power four states, a public servant trusted by governors and universities alike, and — above all — a devout Catholic who saw in ordinary work a daily offering to God. Those who knew him remember a large personality, a ready good humor, and a deep love for the country he came to call his own.
At a Glance
- Born Nov. 23, 1946 · Cuba
- Operation Peter Pan, 1961
- BS & MS Engineering, Marquette
- MBA, UW–Milwaukee
- Founding President & CEO, ATC
- University of Wisconsin Regent
- Entered eternal life Jan. 24, 2021
Service & Boards
- SE Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
- DOE Electricity Advisory Committee
- NERC · MISO · EPRI
- Layton Study Center
- St. Anthony School, Milwaukee
- United Community Center
Early Life
José was born in Cuba on November 23, 1946. As part of Operation Peter Pan, he and his siblings immigrated to the United States in 1961, when José was just fourteen. He was placed with a family in Chicago and, after six months, was reunited with his own family.
He attended Holy Trinity High School in Chicago before making his way to Wisconsin, where he enrolled at Marquette University and earned a degree in electrical engineering — the foundation of a lifelong career in power and energy.
A Career in Power
José Delgado oversaw the creation of American Transmission Company (ATC). ATC became operational on January 1, 2001, as the first multi-state transmission-only utility in the United States, with facilities in portions of Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer from initial operations until April 2009, when he became Executive Chairman of the Board. He retired from ATC on February 28, 2010.
Previously, José spent 27 years at Wisconsin Electric Power Co. (now We Energies), beginning as an electrical engineer and rising to Vice President of Electric System Operations, the role he held when named to lead the formation of ATC in late 1999. At Wisconsin Electric he worked in the construction, start-up, and management of fossil power plants, led the planning, engineering, and construction functions, and ultimately managed system operations and generation dispatch.
His leadership extended across the industry. He served as chairman and president of MAIN, the regional reliability council for eastern Wisconsin, Illinois, and western Missouri. He was a trustee of NERC, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, a member of the Midwest Independent System Operator Transmission Owners Committee, and an advisor to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Power Delivery Group. He also served on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Electric System Reliability Task Force and on numerous committees within MAIN, EPRI, and an industry advisory board to the DOE laboratories.
Public Service & Honors
José gave generously of his expertise in public life. He served on the U.S. Department of Energy Electricity Advisory Committee, the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Chancellor's Council of Corporate Sponsors, and the School of Business Advisory Council. On June 14, 2011, Governor Walker appointed him to a five-year term as a commissioner of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. He was also a member of the Greater Milwaukee Committee and of the Marquette University School of Engineering National Advisory Council, and served on the boards of St. Anthony School of Milwaukee — the largest Catholic school in the U.S. — Forward Wisconsin, the United Community Center, and Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.
José graduated cum laude from Marquette University with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, earned a master's degree in electrical engineering from Marquette, and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He was a member of two engineering honor societies, Eta Kappa Nu and Tau Beta Pi, was named a Chapter Honoree by the Board of Directors of Beta Gamma Sigma of UWM, and received the Professional Achievement Award from the College of Engineering at Marquette University.
In 2014, Governor Scott Walker named José a University of Wisconsin Regent — a position he held until his death.
A Life of Faith
Throughout his career and his retirement, José spent many hours every week helping to run mentoring activities for young men and adult men at Layton Study Center, a nonprofit supplemental educational organization based in Brookfield, Wisconsin. He gave talks and classes and mentored young and old alike.
One of José's most prized achievements was having met St. Josemaría Escrivá, a saint to whom he had great devotion. He helped many men to understand the message of St. Josemaría — that ordinary work can serve as an offering to the Lord.
In Remembrance
Those who knew José will remember him fondly for many admirable qualities: his large personality, his good humor, his engaging conversations, his professional approach to getting things done, and his love of life and of the United States — the country he came to call his own.
He is survived by his younger brother, Dave, and his sisters Carmen, Vivian, and Regina.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to Santa Croce — Pontifical University of the Holy Cross would be appreciated.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Amen