Harkness joined Xcel Energy in 2009 from PNM Resources, where he was Vice President and Chief Information Officer. Prior to PNM Resources, Harkness held a variety of IT management roles for MCI, McLeodUSA and Rockwell International. While in New Mexico he was appointed by Governor Richardson to serve on the New Mexico Information Technology Commission to establish/manage IT Strategy for the state of New Mexico. Additionally, he is active in Junior Achievement, youth sports, and has served as Chairman of the Board for the College Success Network, a non-profit focused on improving the access of post-secondary education to New Mexican youth.