Last week Ameren Corporation announced the promotion of Richard J. Mark to chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ameren Illinois Company, an electric and gas delivery utility subsidiary of Ameren Corporation.
Mark replaces Scott A. Cisel, who left the company “to pursue other interests,” Ameren said in a release.
Mark – who was senior vice president, Customer Operations, Ameren Missouri before his promotion – joined Ameren in 2002.
“Richard brings a strong operations background to Ameren Illinois,” said Thomas R. Voss, chairman, president and CEO of Ameren.
“He is very active in the community and he is attuned to customers’ desires for safe, reliable and affordable energy. His background and experience align very well with Ameren Illinois’ mission. I’m confident Richard will execute Ameren Illinois’ infrastructure investment commitments and will continue to enhance customer satisfaction.”
Mark’s promotion is accompanied by a jobs boost to the St. Louis region, with the Ameren Illinois head office moving from Peoria to Collinsville.
The American spoke with Mark regarding his new position and its impact.
The American: With greater leadership comes increased responsibility. What is new on your plate?
Richard J. Mark: I believe one of the most important things to remember as CEO is everything you say and do has a different impact. The shadow that the CEO casts on an organization will set the culture of how that organization will act. A successful CEO leads by example. If you expect your employees to be customer-focused, then you, as their leader, should set an example by being responsive and accessible to customers.
The biggest change will be the differences in Illinois’ and Missouri’s legislative and regulatory structure as well as their different business models. I am looking forward to the challenge. I will be working with a great team of co-workers who will help me continue to move them down the successful path they have been on.
The American: As an African American in this position, what unique impact can you make in the top job?
Richard J. Mark: As CEO, you have the opportunity to act as a role model for your employees, customers and public. Proactive leadership for cultural change will make diversity in our region stronger.
It all starts at the top as evidenced by Tom Voss, Chairman, President and CEO of Ameren Corporation. Due to Tom’s leadership Ameren Corporation was recognized as No. 5 in Diversity for Utilities by DiversityInc. He is committed to diversity and holds his executives accountable.
One way of doing that is to insure we have a diverse pool of candidates to draw from or we won’t have a diverse workforce. Tom has stressed this during his tenure. As CEO, I can make sure diverse pools and successful programs continue.
The American: Tell me about best practices in diversity there – what is working for the company? What are the benefits from this practice?
Richard J. Mark: Ameren has made great strides with our supplier diversity program as well as actively recruiting a more diverse workforce. We have partnered with schools to help design courses and training to increase our diverse pool of candidates. We started employee-resource groups where senior leaders have taken responsibility for sponsoring one of those groups.
And, we have also increased our community involvement. We are partnering and helping support many more small organizations such as women’s shelters, senior support services, youth and family assistance, etc., that do a lot of good in the community but historically struggled for funding. We have tried to expand our community donations to include a much broader base of grassroots organizations that meet the diverse needs of our community.
The American: We believe this region is showing signs of change for the better in terms of dynamism and regional awareness of regional potential and value. Do you agree? What do you see in this regard and what do you think about it?
Richard J. Mark: Yes, I agree that the St. Louis region does seem to be working together on a lot of fronts. The collaboration and cooperation we are seeing from Mayor Slay and County Executive Charlie Dooley is a good example. Their good working relationship has helped attract projects and businesses to our region. We are also seeing more collaboration with Illinois with the new bridge project. By working together we make our community become stronger and more attractive to outside parties and interests.
