MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 14, 2005--Richard C. (Dick)
Kelly, president and chief executive officer of Xcel Energy
(NYSE:XEL), has been elected chairman of Xcel Energy Inc.'s board of
directors. Kelly replaces Wayne H. Brunetti, who retires as chairman
of the board this month.
Kelly is a long-term employee of Xcel Energy and its predecessor
companies, New Century Energies (NCE) and Public Service Co. of
Colorado (PSCo). While in college, he worked as a meter reader for
Public Service Company of Colorado. In 1968 he joined the company's
auditing department. He subsequently held a variety of positions and
was named treasurer of the company in 1986; vice president, financial
services, in 1987; and senior vice president, finance, in 1990.
In August 2000, when Xcel Energy was formed by the merger of New
Century Energies, Denver, and Northern States Power Company of
Minneapolis, Kelly became president of Xcel Energy Enterprises and in
August 2002, he was named chief financial officer. He became president
and chief operating officer in October 2003, and was elected chief
executive officer in June 2005.
Kelly earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting and a
master of business administration degree from Regis University in
Denver. He attended the University of Colorado's Executive Education
Conference and the University of Michigan's Public Utility Executive
Program.
Kelly is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
of Minnesota and a board member of the Capital City Partnership. He is
a member of the Minneapolis Downtown Council, Colorado Concern and
Colorado Forum, past president of the Arvada Optimist Club, and a past
director of the Ronald McDonald House and the Denver Metro Chamber of
Commerce. He will join the boards of the Minnesota Orchestra and Regis
University in 2006.
Xcel Energy is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company,
with operations in 10 Western and Midwestern states. Xcel Energy
provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and
services to 3.3 million electricity customers and 1.8 million natural
gas customers through its regulated operating companies. In terms of
customers, it is the fourth-largest combination natural gas and
electricity company in the nation. Company headquarters are located in
Minneapolis. More information is available at www.xcelenergy.com.
CONTACT: Xcel Energy Inc., Minneapolis
Investor Relations:
R J Kolkmann, 612-215-4559
or
P A Johnson, 612-215-4535
or
News media inquiries:
Please call Xcel Energy media relations, 612-215-5300
Xcel Energy Internet address: www.xcelenergy.com
SOURCE: Xcel Energy Inc.