NiSource Inc. (Merrillville, IN) announced that, effective July 1, 2005, NiSource President Robert Skaggs, Jr. will assume the additional responsibilities as NiSource Chief Executive Officer. Skaggs will succeed NiSource Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Gary Neale who will retire June 30, 2005, as CEO, but will continue to serve as Chairman of the NiSource Board of Directors.
Neale commented, "I am very excited about the current position and future potential of the company and about the board's decision to choose Bob as the next CEO. Bob and I have worked closely over the last year to put in place the NiSource platform for sustainable growth, and I look forward to continuing to work with him during the transition and on strategic issues in the future. Bob is an experienced executive in our industry with a proven track record of achievement, leadership and regulatory innovation, and will bring great value to all aspects of our business. He has pulled together an outstanding management team to implement the company's current growth plan, which will show positive results for stockholders as early as 2006."
