KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May. 17, 2012-- Great Plains Energy Incorporated (NYSE: GXP) and Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCP&L) today announced that Scott Heidtbrink, senior vice president – Supply, has been appointed executive vice president and chief operating officer of KCP&L and KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations. Heidtbrink replaces Terry Bassham, who was recently named president and chief executive officer to succeed Michael J. Chesser following his retirement, effective June 1, 2012. In his new role, Heidtbrink will have management responsibility for all utility operations, including Generation, Transmission and Delivery Operations, Customer Service and Supply Chain.

The companies also announced today that Michael Deggendorf, senior vice president – Delivery, has been named senior vice president – Corporate Services. Deggendorf will oversee the company’s new transmission partnership – Transource Energy℠ LLC (Transource), its construction organization including the $1.2 billion environmental retrofit project at La Cygne generating station and the company’s corporate safety and facilities departments.

In addition, Kevin Noblet, senior director of renewables and gas generation, was promoted to vice president – Generation, where he will be responsible for the company’s generation strategy, including the long-term planning and financial performance of the Generation division, supply resources and generation engineering.

“The appointments of these individuals reflect the Board’s commitment to a strong and dynamic management team," said Mike Chesser, chairman and chief executive officer of Great Plains Energy. "Today's announcements are a reflection of the contributions these individuals have made to our company and the community and we are confident in their continued success at KCP&L.”

Heidtbrink is a 25-year energy-industry veteran currently responsible for KCP&L’s power generation operations. Heidtbrink joined KCP&L in 2008 as a result of the acquisition of Aquila. Prior to joining KCP&L, he served as vice president, Power Generation and Energy Resources, at Aquila. He joined Aquila in 1987 as a field engineer and held various gas and electric distribution positions in operations engineering and field and customer operations, achieving promotions to state president, general manager and vice president levels. He also led the development of Six Sigma into Aquila's utility operations.

“Scott is a tremendous asset to the company. His extensive operational experience and demonstrated sound judgment made him the ideal candidate for this role,” said Bassham. “Scott’s oversight of the generation fleet and its resulting improved performance and the successful start-up of Iatan 2, KCP&L’s new 850 MW coal-fired generation facility, are stand-out achievements that demonstrate his leadership abilities.”

Heidtbrink received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Kansas State University, is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.

Deggendorf has more than 28 years of experience in the energy and telecommunications industries and has held positions ranging from operations and marketing to regulatory and governmental affairs. Most recently, he successfully led KCP&L's Delivery division.

“Mike was instrumental in the establishment of the Company’s new transmission joint venture, Transource, and our innovative SmartGrid demonstration project. His leadership and project management skills, knowledge of the industry and community involvement will serve the company well in his new role,” said Bassham.

Deggendorf holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Iowa State University and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.

Noblet joined KCP&L in 2008 as part of the Aquila acquisition and is currently responsible for directing the company's gas and renewable generation fleet. Prior experience includes risk management, contract negotiation, sales and marketing, project management and supply engineering, safety and construction.

“At KCP&L we strive to create a balanced management team comprised of strong leadership," said Bassham. "Kevin's knowledge of the energy industry, coupled with his engineering background, operations experience and financial acumen position him well for his new role as vice president of Generation."

Noblet holds a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from William Jewell College, a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri and Master's of Business Administration from the University of Kansas.

About Great Plains Energy:

Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., Great Plains Energy Incorporated (NYSE: GXP) is the holding company of Kansas City Power & Light Company and KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company, two of the leading regulated providers of electricity in the Midwest. Kansas City Power & Light Company and KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company use KCP&L as a brand name. More information about the companies is available on the Internet at: www.greatplainsenergy.com or www.kcpl.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Statements made in this release that are not based on historical facts are forward-looking, may involve risks and uncertainties, and are intended to be as of the date when made. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the outcome of regulatory proceedings, cost estimates of capital projects and other matters affecting future operations. In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Great Plains Energy and KCP&L are providing a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the provided forward-looking information. These important factors include: future economic conditions in regional, national and international markets and their effects on sales, prices and costs, including but not limited to possible further deterioration in economic conditions and the timing and extent of economic recovery, prices and availability, of electricity in regional and national wholesale markets; market perception of the energy industry, Great Plains Energy and KCP&L changes in business strategy, operations or development plans; effects of current or proposed state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments, including, but not limited to, deregulation, re-regulation and restructuring of the electric utility industry; decisions of regulators regarding rates the Companies can charge for electricity; adverse changes in applicable laws, regulations, rules, principles or practices governing tax, accounting and environmental matters including, but not limited to, air and water quality; financial market conditions and performance including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates and credit spreads and in availability and cost of capital and the effects on nuclear decommissioning trust and pension plan assets and costs; impairments of long-lived assets or goodwill; credit ratings; inflation rates; effectiveness of risk management policies and procedures and the ability of counterparties to satisfy their contractual commitments; impact of terrorist acts, including but not limited to cyber terrorism; ability to carry out marketing and sales plans; weather conditions including, but not limited to, weather-related damage and their effects on sales, prices and costs; cost, availability, quality and deliverability of fuel; the inherent uncertainties in estimating the effects of weather, economic conditions and other factors on customer consumption and financial results; ability to achieve generation goals and the occurrence and duration of planned and unplanned generation outages; delays in the anticipated in-service dates and cost increases of generation, transmission, distribution or other projects; the inherent risks associated with the ownership and operation of a nuclear facility including, but not limited to, environmental, health, safety, regulatory and financial risks; workforce risks, including, but not limited to, increased costs of retirement, health care and other benefits; and other risks and uncertainties.

This list of factors is not all-inclusive because it is not possible to predict all factors. Other risk factors are detailed from time to time in Great Plains Energy’s and KCP&L’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement. Great Plains Energy and KCP&L undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Source: Great Plains Energy Incorporated

Great Plains Energy
Investors:
Tony Carreño, 816-654-1763
Director, Investor Relations
anthony.carreno@kcpl.com
or
Media:
Katie McDonald, 816-556-2365
Director, Corporate Communications
katie.mcdonald@kcpl.com