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8-K - FORM 8-K - CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORP | c97069e8vk.htm |
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 24, 2010
FEBRUARY 24, 2010
CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORPORATION
ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE AND BOARD APPOINTMENTS
JOHN R. SCHIMKAITIS NAMED VICE CHAIRMAN;
MICHAEL P. MCMASTERS NAMED PRESIDENT
ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE AND BOARD APPOINTMENTS
JOHN R. SCHIMKAITIS NAMED VICE CHAIRMAN;
MICHAEL P. MCMASTERS NAMED PRESIDENT
Dover, Delaware Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE: CPK) today announced the Boards
appointment of John R. Schimkaitis as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors effective March 1,
2010. In addition, Mr. Schimkaitis will continue in his current role as Chief Executive Officer.
Chesapeake also announced the promotion of Michael P. McMasters to President as well as his
appointment to the Board of Directors effective March 1, 2010. In addition, Mr. McMasters will
continue in his current role as Chief Operating Officer.
Ralph J. Adkins, Chairman of the Board, stated These changes are a part of the Boards ongoing
succession planning process that has been in place for several years. Johns leadership as CEO of
the Company over the last eleven years has driven the Companys success and growth. Under his
leadership, the market capitalization of the Company has grown from $95 million in 1999 to $301
million at the end of 2009. The recent merger with Florida Public Utilities Company is just one of
Johns many significant contributions over his twenty-five years of service with the Company. His
new role as Vice Chairman reflects his current leadership role on the Board. In his role as Chief
Executive Officer, John will continue to oversee the integration of Florida Public Utilities
Company into Chesapeake and work closely with Mike in his new role as President to further position
us for growth in the future.
In announcing Mike McMasters promotion to President and appointment to the Board of Directors, Mr.
Schimkaitis stated As Ralph noted, this is just one more step in our succession planning process.
Mike and I have worked together for over twenty-five years. Over those years, Mike has developed
innovative solutions that have significantly contributed to Chesapeakes growth. Mike was
responsible for developing the strategy that led to regulatory recovery of an acquisition
adjustment in Florida over twenty years ago. Mike also led the restructuring of Eastern Shore
Natural Gas Company from a merchant pipeline to an open access pipeline which has provided the
foundation for our natural gas growth on Delmarva over the last ten years. More recently, as Chief
Financial Officer, Mike oversaw the successful implementation of disclosure controls and procedures
in compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the regulations thereunder. Mikes financial and
industry experience coupled with excellent leadership skills and talent for strategic thinking will
help us continue the strong growth that we have experienced over the last several years.
more
Mr. Schimkaitis was appointed to serve as Chief Executive Officer in January 1999. He served as
President of the Company since 1997 and as a director of the Company since 1996. Mr. Schimkaitis
previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, and prior thereto as
Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President,
Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and Assistant Secretary of the Company. Mr. Schimkaitis has
thirty-seven years of experience in the utilities industry.
Mr. McMasters was appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in September of
2008. Previously, he served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company since 1997 and as Senior Vice
President since 2004. Mr. McMasters is responsible for the oversight of each of the Companys
business units as well as the Human Resources and Information Technology departments. Prior to his
current position, he has held the positions of Vice President, Treasurer, Director of Accounting
and Rates, and Controller of the Company. In addition to his tenure with Chesapeake, Mr. McMasters
also served as Director of Operations Planning for Equitable Gas Company. He has twenty-seven years
of experience in the utilities industry.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified utility company engaged in natural gas
distribution, transmission and marketing; electric distribution; propane gas distribution and
wholesale marketing; advanced information services and other related services. Information about
Chesapeakes businesses is available on the World Wide Web at www.chpk.com.
# # #
For more information, contact:
Beth W. Cooper
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
302.734.6799
bcooper@chpk.com
Beth W. Cooper
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
302.734.6799
bcooper@chpk.com