MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Ben Fowke today became chairman, president and chief executive officer
of Xcel Energy Inc. He succeeds Richard C. Kelly, who announced at the
company’s annual shareholder meeting in May that he would retire in
August. Fowke previously was president and chief operating officer.
Ben Fowke (Photo: Xcel Energy)
Kelly retires after 43 years with Xcel Energy and predecessor companies,
serving as chairman and CEO for the last five years.
“I follow a great leader in Dick Kelly,” Fowke said. “He deserves a
great deal of credit and thanks for his leadership.”
Fowke added, “While enjoying an industry leading environmental
reputation, Xcel Energy is a company that will fare well in the future
because it delivers value to both our customers and shareholders through
forward-looking plans that ensure extremely reliable service at a
reasonable price.”
Before assuming his current responsibility, Fowke, 53, held a variety of
executive positions at the company, including executive vice president
and chief financial officer from December 2008 to August 2009; vice
president and CFO from May 2004 to December 2008; vice president, CFO
and treasurer, October 2003 to May 2004; vice president and treasurer,
November 2002 to October 2003; and vice president and CFO of Energy
Markets business unit, August 2000 to November 2002.
Prior to the 2000 merger of Northern States Power Co. and New Century
Energies (NCE) to form Xcel Energy, Fowke was a vice president in the
NCE Retail business unit. Earlier in his career, he worked for 10 years
with FPL Group Inc., where he held various management positions.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and accounting from
Towson University and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1982. He
is a member of the board of directors of the American Gas Association,
the Minnesota Orchestra, Energy Insurance Mutual and the
Minneapolis-Saint Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership. He is
a member of the board of advisors for the University of Colorado Denver
Business School. He also serves on the advisory board of the
Metropolitan Economic Development Association in Minneapolis.
Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas
company that provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related
products and services to 3.4 million electricity customers and 1.9
million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies
in eight Western and Midwestern states. Company headquarters are located
in Minneapolis. More information is available at xcelenergy.com.
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Source: Xcel Energy
Contact:
Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy Media Relations, 612-215-5300
www.xcelenergy.com