CMS Energy Announces Executive Changes

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Apr 25, 2012, 04:30 ET

JACKSON, Mich., April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Laura Mountcastle, a top financial officer for CMS Energy for nearly two decades, has announced her retirement, effective July 1.

Mountcastle joined the company in 1994 and has served as the vice president of investor relations and the treasurer for CMS Energy and its principal subsidiary, Consumers Energy, since 1999. Mountcastle worked for more than 10 years in finance, investor relations, and banking before joining CMS Energy.

"Laura has been a key leader for CMS Energy since she joined the company. She's widely recognized as one of the top investor relations professionals and one of the leading treasurers in our industry," said Tom Webb, the company's executive vice president and chief financial officer. "We wish her all the best as she moves into the next phase of her life after nearly two decades of outstanding service to the company and an impressive career in the financial world."

Webb said Mountcastle's responsibilities would be assigned to a new vice president of financial planning and treasurer, Venkat Dhenuvakonda (D V) Rao, and to Glenn Barba, vice president, controller, and chief accounting officer, who will add investor relations to his present duties.

Rao joined CMS Energy in 1999 and has held a series of increasingly responsible positions, most recently executive director of financial planning. "D V's strong financial and analytical background positions him well to continue the reputation for high standards that CMS Energy enjoys in the financial community today," Webb said.

He said that Barba's broad experience with CMS Energy and its subsidiaries over the past 14 years has prepared him to lead the company's investor relations activities in addition to his existing duties.

"Glenn has an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the company and its operations plus a thorough understanding of its business strategy and finances. He's ideally suited to guide CMS Energy's investor relations operation," Webb said.

CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS) is a Michigan-based company that has an electric and natural gas utility, Consumers Energy, as its primary business and also owns and operates independent power generation businesses.

For more information on CMS Energy, please visit our web site at: www.cmsenergy.com

SOURCE CMS Energy