The Board of Directors of WEC Energy Group have announced that consistent with the company's guidelines, Gale Klappa, 75, will not be standing for election and will retire from the board following the annual meeting in May. The Board plans to appoint Scott Lauber, President and Chief Executive Officer, to the additional role of Chairman following the company's annual meeting, subject to his election by stockholders in the annual director election. Lauber has served as President and CEO of WEC Energy Group and as a member of the Board of Directors since February 2022. He joined the company in 1990 and has held a series of leadership roles of increasing responsibility throughout his career.

Klappa joined Wisconsin Energy as President in April 2003. He was elected to the company's Board of Directors in December 2003. From May 2004, Klappa served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Wisconsin Energy and We Energies. Under his leadership, the company successfully completed its 2015 acquisition of Integrys Energy Group, at which time he assumed those same roles for WEC Energy Group.

Klappa served as non-executive Chairman of WEC Energy Group after retiring as Chief Executive Officer in May 2016. In October 2017, Klappa resumed the role of Chairman and CEO to provide leadership and continuity following a medical issue that sidelined his successor. He returned to the Non-Executive Chairman role in May 2024.

Klappa was the longest serving Chief Executive Officer in company history.