Business briefs

Water merger to create staff changes

American Water Works Co. Inc., the parent of West Virginia-American Water, announced that several management changes will occurupon completion of the acquisition of the company by German-basedRWE.

James Barr, president and chief executive officer of AmericanWater Works, plans to retire, and Bill Alexander will becomechairman, president and chief executive officer, the company said.

Also, in accordance with the merger agreement, American WaterWorks' board of directors will resign, the company said. Thatincludes West Virginia-American Water Co. President Chris Jarrett.

RWE plans to pay $4.6 billion in cash and assume $3 billion indebt to buy the American Water Works Co. and its subsidiaries,including the West Virginia-American. The deal was announced inSeptember and is pending approval in nine states, including WestVirginia.

RWE has said that if the deal is completed, the management willremain the same at West Virginia-American Water Co. West Virginia-American provides water directly and indirectly to about 500,000people in West Virginia. It is the largest water company in bothCabell and Kanawha counties. The company employs about 400 people inthe state, including about 225 in the Kanawha Valley.

Executives to attend utilities conference

More than 50 executives are expected to attend the Women'sInternational Network of Utility Professionals annual conference inCharleston Sunday through Wednesday at the Holiday Inn CharlestonHouse.

Gov. Bob Wise is scheduled to give welcoming remarks Mondaymorning.

Speakers will include West Virginia native Susan Tomasky, AmericanElectric Power's executive vice president and chief financialofficer; Gale Given, president of Verizon-West Virginia; Ivin Lee,executive director of the West Virginia Human Rights Commission; andMark Dempsey, president of American Electric Power's West Virginiaoperations.

For more information, contact Jeri Matheney, 348-5733.

COMPILED BY GEORGE HOHMANN