Matthews, Shafer Appointed Senior Vice Presidents of We Energies

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- We Energies announced today that Charles Matthews has been appointed senior vice president - Wholesale Energy and Fuels, and Joan Shafer has been appointed senior vice president - Customer Services.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120120/CG37134-a)
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120120/CG37134-b)

Matthews, 55, manages the company's daily interaction with the Midwest Independent System Operator, a regional entity that operates the bulk power transmission system.  He also directs the purchase and delivery of more than 12 million tons of coal and 150 million dekatherms of natural gas annually.  In addition, Matthews is responsible for developing generation expansion plans, long-term wholesale marketing activities, and maintaining relationships with the company's largest commercial and industrial customers.

Shafer, 58, was appointed vice president – Customer Services in 2003.  She is responsible for the operation of the company's business and residential customer contact centers, metering, billing, remittance processing, credit and collections, and customer research. 

"Year in and year out, Charles and Joan have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills.  They've been key contributors to the company's success, and their promotion to senior officer positions is well deserved," said Gale Klappa, chairman, president, and chief executive officer.

The appointments are effective immediately.

Matthews joined the company in August 2006.  He earned a bachelor's degree in Economics from Talladega College, Talladega, Ala., and a master's degree in Finance from the Atlanta University School of Business.  He also completed the Executive Program in Utility Finance at the Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania.

Prior to joining the company, Matthews was president and chief executive officer of Jamaica Public Service Company Limited, a subsidiary of Mirant Corp.  Matthews currently serves as a director on the boards of the American Coal Council, Next Door Foundation, and the Three Harbors Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Shafer joined the company in 1978 and has held positions of increasing responsibility in human resources, operations, and customer service.  Shafer earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point and a master's degree in Industrial Relations from the University of Cincinnati.

Shafer is chair of the board of directors for the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast and serves as secretary and member of the United Way of Waukesha County's board of directors.  In 2004, she received the Athena Award as recognition of her outstanding leadership and numerous contributions to her field and the community.  In 2009, she was among the recipients of the Women of Distinction Award from the Waukesha County Community Foundation.

We Energies serves more than 1.1 million electric customers in Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula and more than 1 million natural gas customers in Wisconsin. We Energies is the trade name of Wisconsin Electric Power Company and Wisconsin Gas LLC, the principal utility subsidiaries of Wisconsin Energy Corporation (NYSE: WEC). Visit the We Energies website at we-energies.com. Learn more about Wisconsin Energy Corporation by visiting wisconsinenergy.com.

SOURCE We Energies

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