Alliant Energy names Lisa Barton as CEO

Alliant Energy Corp. on Friday announced Lisa Barton will become its CEO on Jan. 1, and John Larsen, its current CEO and board chairman, will become executive chairman of the board.

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"Lisa is an outstanding leader, with a track record of driving strategic outcomes, making her uniquely qualified to take on the CEO role during this period in our industry," Larsen said.

"The board and I are confident she will further Alliant Energy’s ability to deliver consistent results as we deliver on our purpose of serving customers and helping to build stronger communities. I look forward to working closely with Lisa in her new role."

Barton, who also will join Alliant’s board, joined Alliant in February as president and chief operating officer. She also was CEO of Alliant’s two public utility subsidiaries, Interstate Power and Light and Wisconsin Power and Light.

"I am excited and appreciative for the opportunity to take on the role of CEO during this exciting time for our company and industry," Barton said. "I am honored to follow John's leadership and look forward to our continued partnership.“

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Barton has more than three decades of work experience in the energy industry, beginning her career at Northeast Utilities (now Eversource) and rejoined the company in 2002 after working with consulting firms where she developed power procurement and power market strategies.

She also served as a lobbyist and senior counsel to clients in the gas and electric utility sector. She joined AEP in 2006, holding leadership roles in numerous areas, including transmission and utilities.

Barton earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic in Massachusetts and a law degree from Suffolk University Law School in Boston.

Carol Sanders, independent lead director of the Alliant board, said the board is confident Barton will provide “excellent leadership” and, “working with our deep bench of leaders, continue to deliver superior value to our customers, communities and shareowners.”

Sanders, who will remain as lead independent director, also praised Larsen’s leadership.

“His track record as CEO in delivering long-term value to customers, communities and shareowners is built upon his strong foundation of serving our company for the past 35 years,” she said.

In Larsen's new role as executive chairman, he will remain an employee of Alliant Energy and chair of the board of directors, and Barton will report to him.

Working closely with Barton, Larsen will oversee key strategic matters, including the development of the company’s strategy and its legislative and investor engagement. He will remain engaged in key energy and economic policy matters and with key stakeholders and the community, the company said in a news release.

Alliant Energy has 995,000 electric and 425,000 natural gas customers in Iowa and Wisconsin.