Evergy Chairman Mark Ruelle to Retire; Evergy President and CEO David Campbell to Serve as Chairman of the Board

Evergy, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVRG) announced today that Mark Ruelle will not stand for reelection at Evergy’s annual meeting on May 7, 2024 as he retires from Evergy’s board of directors and his role as chairman at the end of his term. David Campbell, Evergy’s president and chief executive officer, has been nominated by the board of directors to assume the role of chairman of the board following Evergy’s annual meeting.

Ruelle has served as non-executive chairman of the board since 2018, when predecessor companies Westar Energy, Inc. and Great Plains Energy merged to form Evergy. Prior to the merger, he served as a member of the board of directors, president and chief executive officer of Westar Energy since August 2011.

“Mark has provided outstanding leadership as chairman of our board for the past six years since the merger that created Evergy,” Campbell said. “His vision and experience had a significant positive impact on the company’s success, and he has served as a highly valued partner and mentor. We thank Mark for his more than 30 years of exceptional service and leadership at both Westar and Evergy and congratulate him as he begins his next chapter.”

Campbell has served as Evergy’s president and CEO since January 2021 and will add the role of chairman of the board of directors to his responsibilities following the company’s annual meeting.

Ruelle, who led the search committee that recruited Campbell to Evergy, noted, “Evergy, our employees, customers, communities and shareholders are in great hands with David at the helm. It’s appropriate that he lead the company moving forward in the combined roles of chairman, president and chief executive officer.”

“It’s been an honor to serve Evergy and its predecessor companies for more than three decades,” Ruelle continued. “Seeking out and making a living in this industry, with this company, was my good fortune. Nothing in a career is so gratifying as to work alongside highly skilled craftsmen and women and dedicated business professionals to provide a service that none of us can imagine living without.”

Additionally, Thomas D. Hyde, Evergy’s current lead independent director, will not stand for reelection this year as he also retires from the board in May following 12 years of service. B. Anthony Isaac, longstanding board member from Wichita, has been selected by the board of directors to step into the role of lead independent director.