Xcel Energy CEO Named a Corporate Responsibility Magazine Responsible CEO of the Year

MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Xcel Energy Chairman, President and CEO Ben Fowke was named a Corporate
Responsibility magazine Responsible CEO of the Year on Oct. 22, 2015 at
the COMMIT! Forum in New York City. The awards recognize CEOs who
visibly exceed standards in the areas of employee relations,
environmental impact and sustainability, human rights, philanthropy and
corporate responsibility practices. Fowke was honored in part for Xcel
Energy’s efforts to recruit military veterans as a key tenet of the
company’s employment strategy.

“It’s an honor to accept this award on behalf of Xcel Energy’s more than
12,000 employees who work tirelessly on behalf of our customers every
day,” said Fowke. “Our military veterans bring extraordinary leadership,
teamwork and dedication to their roles – exactly the kind of skills we
need as we embrace the rapid pace of change in our industry.”

Xcel Energy is committed to matching veterans, active duty military,
National Guard and reservists to critical roles within the company.
Through extensive outreach, including partnerships with active military
bases, the White House’s “Joining Forces Initiative” and appearances on
Capitol Hill, the company has a goal of at least 10 percent of all new
hires coming from a military background.

Fowke has testified before the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee to
outline Xcel Energy’s efforts to bolster military hiring practices,
which have been held up as a model for other companies to follow.

Fowke was joined at the awards ceremony by nine Xcel Energy
employee-veterans whose roles in the company range from plant operations
to customer engagement. “Having some of our incredible veterans join me
for this special occasion was the highlight of the evening, and I’m so
grateful for their service to the country and to Xcel Energy,” added
Fowke.

Prior to being named president and chief operating officer of Xcel
Energy in 2009, Fowke held a variety of executive positions at the
company, including the role of vice president and chief financial
officer. He also serves on the board of directors of the Edison Electric
Institute, Electric Power Research Institute, American Wind Energy
Association, the Minnesota Business Partnership and Greater MSP.

Xcel Energy (NYSE:XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes
and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered
in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly
reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy
solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For
more information, visit www.xcelenergy.com
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Contacts

Xcel Energy
Media Relations, 612-215-5300
www.xcelenergy.com