CHALLENGE CONTINUES
have to pick your companies and you have to pick your bosses,” she emphasized.
Kampling has vast experience with regulatory bodies and shareholders, as well as institutional and investor advancement. Before joining Alliant Energy in 2005, she spent more than 20 years in finance, treasury, and engi- neering jobs in Exelon Corporation, ultimately serving as senior vice president and chief financial officer of Exelon Enterprises and treasurer of Commonwealth Edison.
Kampling’s experience within the utility industry has proven essential to Alliant Energy’s ability to ensure com- petitive costs and reliable service for customers. She has responsibility for leading the performance and growth of Alliant Energy’s regulated utility companies (Interstate Power and Light Company and Wisconsin Power and Light Company), serving customers in more than 1,300 communities throughout Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. She also provides the direction for Alliant Energy Resourc- es, parent company of Alliant Energy’s non-regulated businesses, which includes: Alliant Energy Transportation and non-regulated generation facilities.
In 2011, Kampling became president and chief operat- ing officer of Alliant Energy. Today she serves as chair- man, president and CEO. She also sits on the board or is a committee member of various organizations including the American Gas Association, American Transmission, Briggs and Stratton, United Way of Dane County, and Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.
When did she know she wanted to be a CEO?
“I joined the utility business in the early ‘80s because I was passionate about energy efficiency, improving the grid, keeping the lights on,” she said. “But as I worked for different utilities—PECO, ComEd, and Exelon—and CEOs, I really had some of the best, I wanted to have their job at some point. They were great leaders, and I knew I could do it if the right opportunity came along.
“Part of growing up in an organization, you learn from watching people and how people manage. I worked for these utilities during some difficult times, and learned a lot seeing how those executives led the organizations. It was refreshing to see how calm and professional, but direct they were to move the organization.
“Pat’s appointment was the result of two things,” said
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William Harvey, recently retired Alliant Energy chairman and CEO. “First, our company deployed a good succes- sion planning process which enabled us to both identify and develop an executive of Pat’s caliber to become the next CEO. Second, Pat had taken her career growth and development seriously, understood what it took to be a good leader, and was ready to step into the CEO role when the opportunity presented itself.”
Harvey announced his intent to retire from the company March 2012 after spending 25 years with Alliant Energy, and its predecessor WPL Holdings. He served as chairman and CEO for the last six years. The board of directors ap- pointed Kampling, 52, to succeed Harvey.
“The utility business has taken on a different level of importance for the United States,” Kampling observed. “Not only for people’s daily life, electricity is more impor- tant every day, but also from a national security aspect— what we have to do and what we have to protect. On top of that we also have environmental rules that are coming down the path. So 2013 is a year to step back and prioritize all these important issues.” Kampling said in her almost 30-year career this is the first time she’s seen the industry acting as one in dealing with these important issues.
“We have to keep the lights on, we have to lower costs, we have to protect the grid and we have to work within environmental rules. The 21st century is going to be very complicated.”
In the utility industry, Kampling said good leadership needs consistency and a positive attitude for not only your employees but also customers. “Effectiveness is about the outcomes but it’s also about you get there; how you make people feel along the way. That’s equally important to me.”
Kampling has six simple tips for the 2013 graduate: 1. Pick the right company and industry 2. Take advantage of every opportunity 3. Get the education 4. Take the risky assignments 5. Do a super job every day
6. Be prepared for when the opportunity comes along
“I had so many great influences; most of all my parents who set who I am today,” Kampling said. “And so many people in industry that gave me positive feedback and made sure I took advantage of the right opportunities.”
WOMENOFCOLOR | SPRING 2013 47
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