Washington Gas Parent Company Makes Succession Planning Announcements

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- James H. DeGraffenreidt, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of WGL Holdings, Inc., , and its subsidiary, Washington Gas Light Company (Washington Gas), announced today the election of two new officers, effective Oct. 1. Vincent L. Ammann, Jr., was named vice president, finance, for WGL Holdings and Washington Gas. Gautam Chandra was elected vice president, performance improvement and non- utility operations, for WGL Holdings, and vice president, performance improvement for Washington Gas. Both will report to Frederic M. Kline, vice president and chief financial officer, of WGL Holdings and Washington Gas.

"I am pleased to announce that we have expanded the senior leadership team through the election by the board of new officers. We also have realigned executive portfolios within Washington Gas as we pursue the utility's major operational initiatives throughout the region," said DeGraffenreidt. "Leadership development and succession planning are vital to our company's continued ability to achieve excellence and sustain our position of strength. We have made a commitment to organizational effectiveness and leadership development throughout the organization, and today's changes reflect that."

Vincent Ammann joined Washington Gas in 2004 as a seasoned professional with a proven track record of success in utility accounting, finance and administration. During his tenure at Washington Gas, he has worked closely with the chief financial officer and many others throughout the organization, achieving positive results through effective leadership and a management style that promotes teamwork.

Before joining Washington Gas, Ammann spent nearly 15 years with Southern Connecticut Gas Co., performing in senior leadership positions requiring the development, planning and implementation of critical corporate strategies. He has a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Michigan and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Connecticut.

Gautam Chandra was recruited by the company in 2002 because of his success as an entrepreneur and his extensive experience in energy business strategy and deal making. He founded and led an energy company from concept to $30 million in revenues before the firm was sold to a larger energy business.

Chandra's entrepreneurial credentials and experience provided a strong foundation for the financial and operational oversight he currently provides for WGL Holdings' unregulated businesses. He also has played a significant role at the utility, directing a corporate-wide effort to improve company performance by focusing on continuous operational improvements.

Chandra has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and a master's degree in business administration from Cornell University.

The company also announced a change in responsibility for two current Washington Gas officers. Effective Oct. 1, Vice President Thomas F. Bonner will lead engineering and construction, and Adrian P. Chapman, currently vice president of regulatory affairs and energy acquisition, will add utility operations to his portfolio. Both will continue to report to Terry D. McCallister, president and chief operating officer of WGL Holdings and Washington Gas.

"One of our goals in making this change is to develop broader expertise in field operations at the executive level," said McCallister. "As we move forward with these efforts, we are fortunate to have the benefit of Tom's knowledge and experience. He has played a leadership role in implementing strategic initiatives for Washington Gas and will continue to do so. Making adjustments in executive portfolios allows us to continue leadership development at the officer level and expand our officers' knowledge base. This shift also enables us to align more closely our operations, regulatory affairs and energy acquisition functions, promoting even greater teamwork throughout the organization."

A 23-year Washington Gas veteran, Adrian Chapman has worked in various capacities for the utility. He currently is responsible for utility proceedings before the public service commissions of the District of Columbia and Maryland, the Virginia State Corporation Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In addition, he is responsible for the utility's energy acquisition function, its gas supply operations, and gas supply planning and procurement. In his new role, he also assumes responsibility for field and compliance operations.

Thomas Bonner joined Washington Gas in 2002, with a 30-year history of leadership in natural gas utility operations. From 1991 to 2000, he served in several executive capacities in the distribution and operations areas, including vice president of operations, at Boston Gas Co. Prior to his tenure at Boston Gas Co., Bonner served in executive positions in gas supply, customer services, operations, and engineering at South Jersey Gas Co. and Philadelphia Gas Works. As vice president of engineering and construction for Washington Gas, Bonner will maintain responsibility for engineering, design and execution of the utility's significant construction projects throughout the region.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., WGL Holdings is the parent company of Washington Gas, a natural gas utility that serves approximately one million customers throughout metropolitan Washington, D.C., and the surrounding region. In addition, it holds energy-related retail businesses that are focused primarily on energy marketing and commercial and residential heating, ventilating and air conditioning services. For more information about WGL Holdings, please visit http://www.wglholdings.com/. For information about Washington Gas, please visit http://www.washingtongas.com/.