DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 4, 2005--Raymond E. Gogel, vice
president and chief information officer for Xcel Energy (NYSE:XEL),
has been recognized by IDG's Computerworld, the "Voice of IT
Management," as one of the business world's Premier 100 IT Leaders.
The sixth annual awards program honors executives who show exemplary
technology leadership in resolving pressing business problems.
Honorees were named and profiled in the Jan. 3 issue of Computerworld
and will be honored again at Computerworld's Premier 100 IT Leaders
Conference, March 6-8, at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort,
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Gogel was selected from nearly 600 nominees who were measured
against Computerworld's IT Leadership Index, a set of characteristics
that describes executives who guide the effective use of information
technology (IT) in their organizations. The nominees were evaluated by
the newspaper's editors and by an external panel of outside judges.
Other honorees include leading IT executives from corporations such as
UPS, Hewlett-Packard, Cardinal Health, MasterCard International LLC,
Marriott International and AFLAC.
"It's no surprise to me that Computerworld selected Ray for this
honor," said Dick Kelly, president and chief operating officer of Xcel
Energy. "With the help of a strong leadership team and the talented
and dedicated members of Xcel Energy's Business Systems group, Ray has
turned the IT function at Xcel Energy into a truly visionary model.
This honor, following on the heels of the September announcement that
InformationWeek ranked Xcel Energy No. 20 in its list of the 500 most
innovative users of information technology, is clear evidence that our
company is redefining the role of IT in creating business value."
"Our Premier 100 list honors those who have kept fighting despite
the many obstacles that technology has thrown at them this year," said
Don Tennant, editor in chief of Computerworld. "This group of men and
women have proven themselves through all facets of business, including
some of the toughest challenges, such as cultural hurdles, language
barriers, corporate politics, internal/external communication, and
maintaining fresh, creative ideas," Tennant said.
The complete list of Premier 100 IT Leaders can be found in the
Jan. 3 issue of Computerworld and online at
www.computerworld.com/p1002005. The issue includes several articles
summarizing the challenges IT leaders expect to face in 2005,
including motivating staff, avoiding project pitfalls, shoring up
network security and preparing for the rebound.
Xcel Energy (NYSE:XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas
company with regulated operations in 11 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.
Computerworld, the "Voice of IT Management," is the most trusted
source for the critical information needs of senior IT management.
Computerworld's integrated offerings form the U.S.-based hub of the
world's largest (58-edition) global IT media network through its
weekly publication, Computerworld.com Web site, focused conference
series and custom research. In the past five years alone,
Computerworld has won more than 100 print and online awards for
editorial and design excellence, surpassing its direct competition by
an order of magnitude. Recognition includes the 2004 Magazine of the
Year Award from the American Society of Business Publication Editors
and a Jesse H. Neal Award for "Best News Coverage." In print since
1967, Computerworld is the source for information technology
management, with a guaranteed rate base of 180,050, a total print
audience of 1,138,000 (IntelliQuest CIMS 2004 Business Influencer
Study) and an online audience of over 1 million unique monthly
visitors (DoubleClick).
Computerworld is a business unit of International Data Group
(IDG), the world's leading technology media, research and events
company. A privately held company, IDG publishes more than 300
magazines and newspapers, including Bio-IT World, CIO, CSO,
Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Network World and PC World. The
company features the largest network of technology-specific Web sites,
with more than 400 around the world. IDG is also a leading producer of
more than 170 computer-related events worldwide, including LinuxWorld
Conference & Expo(R), Macworld Conference & Expo(R), DEMO(R) and IDC
Directions. IDC provides global market research and advice through
offices in 50 countries. Company information is available at
http://www.idg.com.
CONTACT: Xcel EnergyMargarita Alarcon, 303-294-2300
www.xcelenergy.com
SOURCE: Xcel Energy