NiSource Inc. named key leaders to guide Columbia Pipeline Group Inc. (CPG) and NiSource following the planned separation of the two energy companies in mid-2015.

In September 2014, NiSource announced plans to separate its natural gas pipeline and related businesses into a stand-alone publicly traded company, CPG, with NiSource becoming a pure-play regulated natural gas and electric utilities company.

Key leadership appointments for CPG, expected to be effective at the time of separation, include:

  • Robert C. Skaggs Jr., currently president and CEO of NiSource, is expected to become CEO of CPG;
  • Stephen P. Smith, currently NiSource EVP and CFO, is expected to become EVP and CFO for CPG, and;
  • Glen L. Kettering, currently EVP and group CEO for CPG, is expected to assume the new role of president of CPG.

Other current members of the CPG senior leadership team are expected to remain with CPG.

The company also announced expected key post-separation leadership appointments for NiSource:

  • Joseph Hamrock, currently EVP and group CEO of NiSource's Gas Distribution business unit, will become CEO of NiSource;
  • Jim L. Stanley, EVP and group CEO for Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO), is expected to serve in the new role of COO for NiSource, overseeing a variety of functions, including capital program management, major projects and customer and commercial operations, and;
  • Violet G. Sistovaris, currently NiSource SVP and chief information officer, is expected to become EVP for NIPSCO, with responsibility for electric operations and regulatory, external affairs and communications functions. Among those reporting to Sistovaris will be NIPSCO president Kathleen O'Leary.

A CFO for NiSource is expected to be named in early 2015, following completion of an internal and external candidate review.

As previously announced, NiSource's corporate headquarters will continue to be in Merrillville, Indiana, while CPG will remain headquartered in Houston, Texas. Additional leadership appointments for both companies will be announced prior to the time of separation.