Ameren Corporation announced today that, in connection with the planned retirement of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thomas R. Voss, its Board of Directors decided that, effective immediately, Warner L. Baxter will succeed Voss as President of Ameren and that Baxter has been elected to Ameren’s Board of Directors.
Ameren also announced that Baxter will become CEO on April 24, 2014, at which time Voss will become Executive Chairman. Voss will retire from Ameren and the Board of Directors on July 1, 2014, and Baxter is expected to succeed him as Chairman of the Board on that date. Since 2009, Baxter has served as the President and CEO of Ameren Missouri and will remain so until a successor is named.
From 2003 to 2009, Baxter was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ameren, where he led the finance, strategic planning and business risk management functions. From 2007 to 2009, he was also President and CEO of Ameren Services Company. Baxter joined Ameren in August 1995 as Assistant Controller. He has also served as Senior Vice President, Finance and as Vice President and Controller.
“The actions announced today represent the culmination of the Board’s lengthy succession planning process. Warner has significant financial and operating experience as Ameren’s former CFO and as the current CEO of Ameren Missouri. He is uniquely qualified to lead Ameren Corporation,” said Lead Director, Walter Galvin. Galvin added, “Tom Voss has dedicated himself to serving shareholders, customers and a generation of Ameren employees since 1969. During his five years as CEO, he, and his team, developed a clear vision and strategy for the future. The board thanks Tom for his dedication and commitment to excellence.”
“Ameren’s success has been a direct result of the hard work and winning attitude of all our employees,” said Ameren Chairman and CEO, Tom Voss. “I’m honored to have had the opportunity to lead this great company.” Voss went on to comment that Baxter is focused on providing value for both shareholders and customers. “I’m confident Warner has the talent and tenacity to lead our team in the successful execution of Ameren’s strategy,” said Voss.
Baxter noted that he appreciates the trust that the Board has vested in him. “I’m humbled and excited about the opportunity to lead Ameren to the next level of performance. It is an honor to follow in the footsteps of such a great leader of our company and our community, and it is indeed a great privilege to lead our more than 8,000 dedicated co-workers,” Baxter said. “Looking ahead, our entire Ameren team will continue to be focused relentlessly on our mission to power the quality of life in the communities that we serve. We will do this by executing our well-defined strategy. I am confident that the execution of this strategy will bring superior long-term value to our customers and superior returns for our shareholders.”