Xcel Energy Elects Three New Board Members

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Xcel Energy today announced that Kim Williams, Christopher J. Policinski and Benjamin G.S. Fowke III have been elected to the company’s board of directors to terms effective from Dec. 1 to the company’s 2010 annual shareholders meeting.

“They bring a wealth of experience and strong credentials to a job that is critical to our shareholders.”

Williams, of Newbury, Mass., was a partner at Wellington Management Corp. from 1995 until her retirement in 2005. Previously she was senior vice president, partner, and associate director of Global Industry Research. She was named to the board’s audit and finance committees.

Policinski is president and CEO of Land O’Lakes Inc., Minneapolis. He was named to the board’s committees on governance, compensation and nominating and on nuclear, environmental and safety.

Fowke, previously Xcel Energy’s chief financial officer, was named president and chief operating officer of the company in August 2009.

"We are very pleased and fortunate to add these individuals to our board," said Dick Kelly, chairman and CEO of Xcel Energy. "They bring a wealth of experience and strong credentials to a job that is critical to our shareholders."

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.