Dominion Energy CEO Thomas Farrell II on Friday said he will step down as the utility giants chief executive in October, vacating a role that made him Virginias most powerful unelected figure amid new scrutiny of his record on race.

Farrell, 65, will remain executive chairman of the Dominion board. The company, which provides electricity and natural gas to 6.7 million customers in eight states, will promote Robert M. Blue, executive vice president and co-chief operating officer, as president and chief executive officer. Executive vice president Diane Leopold will become chief operating officer.

There is no established timeframe for my role as executive chair, and I look forward to continuing to serve the company on behalf of our shareholders, customers and communities, Farrell, who has been CEO for 14 years, said in a statement . I will be particularly focused on continuing to develop our strategic plan and Dominions leadership in the new clean energy economy.

The reshuffling caps a tumultuous few months that seemed to shake investors trust in Farrell.