Frederick (Rick) D. Kuester

Executive Vice President
  Wisconsin Energy Corporation
President and Chief Executive Officer
  We Generation

Rick Kuester was appointed executive vice president – Wisconsin Energy Corp. in 2004. He joined the organization in 2003 as president and chief executive officer – We Generation. Kuester leads the company’s Fossil Operations and Wholesale Energy and Fuels business units. He also oversees Power the Future, the company’s growth strategy to construct additional power generation, increase renewable energy resources and improve existing facilities. He also oversees construction of the company’s generation projects and is responsible for the company's environmental initiatives.

Prior to joining the company, Kuester was senior vice president - International of Mirant Corporation and chief executive officer of Mirant Asia-Pacific Limited in Hong Kong. While in Asia, he was responsible for constructing 1,200 MW of coal-based generation in the Philippines. Earlier, Kuester was vice president - Power Generation and Delivery for Mississippi Power Company. Prior to his assignment in Mississippi, he was engineering manager-Nuclear Plant Support, for Southern Company Services in Birmingham, Ala. He also served as vice president - Investor Relations in Southern Company's New York City office.

Kuester holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Samford University, Birmingham, Ala. He is a registered professional engineer in Alabama. Kuester is a member of the Milwaukee School of Engineering board of regents. He also serves on the board of directors for the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies (AEIC).