NIPSCO president leaves for Wisconsin energy group
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The president and chief operating officer of Merrillville-based NiSource subsidiary Northern Indiana Public Service Co. is leaving Friday to work at a Wisconsin utility energy group.
Mike Hooper will serve as the president of Milwaukee-based We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service starting April 1. He moves on from NIPSCO after spending 13 years at the utility and holding several leadership positions.
Vince Parisi, who is the president and COO of NiSource subsidiary Columbia Gas of Ohio, will lead NIPSCO in the interim in addition to his current responsibilities.
“As NIPSCO continues to deliver its electric generation transition and long-term infrastructure investment plans, Vince will maintain stability and continuity to the organization to ensure continued success,” Melody Birmingham, NiSource executive vice president and group president of utilities, said in a news release.
In Hooper’s new role, he will lead and oversee the electric and gas distribution business, customer service, power generation and major projects.
“We’re fortunate to have Mike join our senior leadership team,” said Scott Lauber, president and CEO of WEC Energy Group, in a news release. “He has an impressive record of accomplishments in our industry along with proven leadership skills. His broad experience, together with his demonstrated ability to lead and manage complex projects, will be key in helping us achieve our long-term goals.”
Hooper’s departure comes more than two months after NiSource completed the sale of a minority interest in NIPSCO to Blackstone Infrastructure Partners for $2.16 billion.