Association Names Maassel VP
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana Energy Association has named Mark Maassel vice president. He has spent the last three years as the president and chief executive officer of the Northwest Indiana Forum. Maassel also spent four years as president of Merrillville-based Northern Indiana Public Service Co. September 19, 2013
News Release
(Indianapolis, Ind.) – Today Carey Lykins, President and CEO of Citizens Energy Group and Chairman of the Indiana Energy Association (IEA) Board of Directors, announced the selection of Mark T. Maassel to assume the position of Vice President of the energy trade association on October 16, 2013.
The association’s Board of Directors selected Maassel in its September 12 meeting following a year-long search to fill the position.
Maassel has served as President and CEO of the regional business membership organization, Northwest Indiana Forum, for the last three years. Prior to that, Maassel held the title of President of Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) from October 2004 to January 2008 and in that capacity served as a member of the board of the association. Prior to serving as President, Maassel held various senior level positions with NIPSCO. In addition to his work with the Forum and NIPSCO, he served as Of Counsel for the law firm of Krieg DeVault.
IEA President Ed Simcox said today that “Mark is ideally suited to help lead the public policy efforts of the association. Mark not only has executive experience with a large utility, but he also brings the perspective of a civil engineer and lawyer to the complex issues facing the energy industry.”
Maassel earned a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota and holds a Juris Doctorate with High Honors from Chicago-Kent College of Law. He is licensed to practice law in both Indiana and Illinois. He and his wife, Chris, live in Valparaiso.
His prior leadership roles in the energy industry include membership on the Gas Technology Institute Board of Directors, Edison Electric Institute Board of Directors and participation on various American Gas Association committees.
Among his many civic endeavors in northwest Indiana, he has served as the Chair of the 2008 United Way of Porter County Campaign, Chair of the Porter County Community Foundation, Chair of Ivy Tech Foundation, President of the Crisis Center Board of Directors, Board Member of the Calumet College of St. Joseph and Board President of the Valparaiso Community Schools Board of Education. He was also selected for the inaugural class of the Northwest Indiana Business Hall of Fame in 2008 and received a Sagamore of the Wabash award from Governor Mitch Daniels.
Lykins praised Maassel for his years of effective service within the energy industry. “Mark is extremely knowledgeable of all of the issues affecting the utility industry today,” said Lykins. “He will be called upon to work with Ed Simcox and the member companies to navigate the rapidly changing world of energy delivery.”
The Indiana Energy Association is a trade association that represents Indiana’s investor-owned electric utilities and local distribution gas companies before the Indiana General Assembly, state administrative agencies, and works with other allied and constituent groups that address policy issues affecting the electric and gas utility industries in the State of Indiana.
Source: Indiana Energy AssociationNews Release
Portage, Indiana—Jill E. Ritchie, Forum Board Chair, announced Mark T. Maassel’s resignation from the Northwest Indiana Forum to assume the position of Vice President of the Indiana Energy Association (energy trade group) on October 16, 2013. Maassel has served as President and CEO of the regional economic development organization for the last three years.
Ritchie stated, “While we are sad to see Mark leave the Forum, the Board, members and staff wish him the best in his new position. We are forever grateful for his leadership and commitment to the organization and to Northwest Indiana. While some may say we are losing a leader, Northwest Indiana has a friend who can carry the positive message about our region throughout our state.”
The Forum will conduct business as usual in the interim while developing a process to fill the executive position. The organizational mission and vision remains the same: to act as the regional voice for the business community and a catalyst for initiatives which promote economic development and create and retain quality jobs.
Maassel said, “I have been and continue to be excited by the work of the Forum and the progress we have made. However in the time I have served, my passion for the gas and electric utility has not waned.”
He continued, “Though I will truly miss the dedicated group of business leaders, partners and staff here in Northwest Indiana, the unique opportunity presented itself and I look forward to tackling the various issues affecting the utility industry today.”
The Forum staff will continue to attract businesses to relocate or expand existing operations in Northwest Indiana, actively promote the region with attendance at more than 25 events and share the many strong reasons why it makes sense for businesses to be in Northwest Indiana. Leads and projects increased over the last three years and are well ahead of the 2012 pace.
Environmentally, the Forum works with multiple groups to address issues in a mutually satisfactory manner. In addition, topics including closing of locks in Illinois and resulting negative impacts from increased flooding, pollution in Lake Michigan and those with large impacts on the NWI economy and residents are being tackled to ensure balanced consideration of both jobs and the environment.
Remaining plans for 2013 include hosting the President of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and over 25 nationally known site selectors in Chicago, emceeing a meeting involving all the key environmental leaders in Indiana government, holding special events and activities and accomplishing many other exciting projects to benefit Northwest Indiana.
Official statement from Indiana Energy Association Attached
Background:
The Northwest Indiana Forum is the voice of business leadership and regional economic development organization serving Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Starke, Jasper, Newton and Pulaski Counties. With more than 120 members, the Forum works to create a positive business climate promoting investment and quality job creation while protecting the environment and critical components of a sustainable regional economy.
Source: Northwest Indiana Forum