NiSource announces post-spinoff personnel moves

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — Gas and utility company NiSource said Wednesday that president and CEO Robert C. Skaggs Jr. is expected to become CEO of the natural gas pipeline and related businesses it plans to spin off.

Joseph Hamrock, who is executive vice president and group CEO of NiSource’s gas distribution division, will succeed Skaggs as CEO of NiSource.

NiSource Inc. announced in September that it planned to separate its natural gas pipeline and related businesses into a stand-alone publicly traded company called Columbia Pipeline Group Inc.

Columbia Pipeline will control the business of transporting and storing natural gas. NiSource will continue to provide natural gas to more than 3.4 million customers in seven states under the Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands. It will also continue to provide electric distribution, generation and transmission services for approximately 450,000 NIPSCO electric customers in northern Indiana.

The separation of the energy companies is planned for mid-2015.

Skaggs is expected to serve as chairman of Columbia Pipeline, while Hamrock is expected to be named to NiSource’s board once he takes over the CEO post. Richard Thompson is expected to remain as NiSource chairman.

NiSource Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Stephen Smith is expected to take on the same roles at Columbia Pipeline. A chief financial officer for NiSource is expected to be named early next year.

Glen Kettering, who is currently executive vice president and group CEO for Columbia Pipeline, is anticipated to take on the newly created position of president of Columbia Pipeline.

NiSource’s corporate headquarters will remain in Merrillville, Indiana. Columbia Pipeline will continue to be based in Houston.