GRIMES, IA – June 26, 2023 – Black Hills Energy today announced an exciting new chapter within the company’s Iowa leadership team by recognizing a tenured employee’s retirement, the promotion of a new general manager and a new vice president tapped to continue the company’s long-term growth.

After more than 11 years of sharing her knowledge and expertise, Iowa vice president Shirley Welte announced her retirement date of August 2023, Pete Hamell has been promoted to general manager for Iowa, and Kevin Jarosz is now the vice president of Iowa and Nebraska.

“I’m proud of my entire career with Black Hills Energy, working with the Iowa team, and believe Pete Hamell and Kevin Jarosz will provide a strong transition as our next great Iowa leaders,” said retiring Iowa vice president Shirley Welte.

“As we mark this leadership transition in Iowa, I would like to offer my sincerest thanks to Shirley who will be retiring after 11 years of service to Black Hills Energy and over 28 years of utility experience,” said Marne Jones, Black Hills Energy’s senior vice president of utilities. “We are grateful to Shirley for her visionary leadership and passion for service and wish her our very best as she enjoys this next chapter in her life.”

Iowa General Manager Pete Hamell was hired in 2020 and brings extensive leadership experience in operations, logistics and customer service. Recruited to join the company from Ingram Barge and BNSF Railway, Hamell will build on the utility’s customer focused and safety driven reputation.

“Hamell’s new role as general manager reflects his strong track record of leadership and his commitment to guide our teams as they work safely each day to serve the needs of our customers,” added Jones. “Hamell is an integral part of our team and will continue to drive excellence within every aspect of our business.”

Kevin Jarosz is now the vice president of operations in Iowa and Nebraska and brings nearly 35 years of gas operations experience, most recently as the vice president of operations for Nebraska.

“Kevin’s appointment to vice president of Iowa and Nebraska is a natural progression in his leadership journey at Black Hills Energy and reflective of his deep commitment to our customers, our employees and our communities,” added Jones. “In this expanded leadership role, Kevin will be responsible for the company’s operational, business, and financial objectives while creating customer-focused solutions that position the company for long-term growth.”

Hamell and Jarosz assume leadership for Iowa in a time of momentum. Black Hills Energy in Iowa provides more than 162,800 customers with safe and reliable natural gas. Serving 133 communities with 278 employees, the Iowa operations team regularly achieves exceptional safety metrics, drives a $65 million economic impact to the state, and leads peer utilities with its Net Zero carbon emissions target.

“These changes position the company with highly skilled, tenured and energized leaders committed to serving the needs of our customers and communities while driving operational efficiencies and growth within our expansive eight-state service territory,” Jones said.