Xcel Energy's Chief Information Officer Honored as 2005 Premier 100 I

    Business Editors/Energy Editors
    Computerworld's Premier 100 IT Leaders Conference

    DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 4, 2005--Raymond E. Gogel, vice president and chief information officer for Xcel Energy (NYSE:XEL), has been recognized by IDG's Computerworld, the "Voice of IT Management," as one of the business world's Premier 100 IT Leaders. The sixth annual awards program honors executives who show exemplary technology leadership in resolving pressing business problems. Honorees were named and profiled in the Jan. 3 issue of Computerworld and will be honored again at Computerworld's Premier 100 IT Leaders Conference, March 6-8, at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort, Scottsdale, Ariz.
    Gogel was selected from nearly 600 nominees who were measured against Computerworld's IT Leadership Index, a set of characteristics that describes executives who guide the effective use of information technology (IT) in their organizations. The nominees were evaluated by the newspaper's editors and by an external panel of outside judges. Other honorees include leading IT executives from corporations such as UPS, Hewlett-Packard, Cardinal Health, MasterCard International LLC, Marriott International and AFLAC.
    "It's no surprise to me that Computerworld selected Ray for this honor," said Dick Kelly, president and chief operating officer of Xcel Energy. "With the help of a strong leadership team and the talented and dedicated members of Xcel Energy's Business Systems group, Ray has turned the IT function at Xcel Energy into a truly visionary model. This honor, following on the heels of the September announcement that InformationWeek ranked Xcel Energy No. 20 in its list of the 500 most innovative users of information technology, is clear evidence that our company is redefining the role of IT in creating business value."
    "Our Premier 100 list honors those who have kept fighting despite the many obstacles that technology has thrown at them this year," said Don Tennant, editor in chief of Computerworld. "This group of men and women have proven themselves through all facets of business, including some of the toughest challenges, such as cultural hurdles, language barriers, corporate politics, internal/external communication, and maintaining fresh, creative ideas," Tennant said.
    The complete list of Premier 100 IT Leaders can be found in the Jan. 3 issue of Computerworld and online at www.computerworld.com/p1002005. The issue includes several articles summarizing the challenges IT leaders expect to face in 2005, including motivating staff, avoiding project pitfalls, shoring up network security and preparing for the rebound.

    Xcel Energy (NYSE:XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company with regulated operations in 11 Western and Midwestern states. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.3 million electricity customers and 1.8 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies. In terms of customers, it is the fourth-largest combination natural gas and electricity company in the nation. Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis. More information is available at www.xcelenergy.com.

    Computerworld, the "Voice of IT Management," is the most trusted source for the critical information needs of senior IT management. Computerworld's integrated offerings form the U.S.-based hub of the world's largest (58-edition) global IT media network through its weekly publication, Computerworld.com Web site, focused conference series and custom research. In the past five years alone, Computerworld has won more than 100 print and online awards for editorial and design excellence, surpassing its direct competition by an order of magnitude. Recognition includes the 2004 Magazine of the Year Award from the American Society of Business Publication Editors and a Jesse H. Neal Award for "Best News Coverage." In print since 1967, Computerworld is the source for information technology management, with a guaranteed rate base of 180,050, a total print audience of 1,138,000 (IntelliQuest CIMS 2004 Business Influencer Study) and an online audience of over 1 million unique monthly visitors (DoubleClick).
    Computerworld is a business unit of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading technology media, research and events company. A privately held company, IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers, including Bio-IT World, CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Network World and PC World. The company features the largest network of technology-specific Web sites, with more than 400 around the world. IDG is also a leading producer of more than 170 computer-related events worldwide, including LinuxWorld Conference & Expo(R), Macworld Conference & Expo(R), DEMO(R) and IDC Directions. IDC provides global market research and advice through offices in 50 countries. Company information is available at http://www.idg.com.

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CONTACT: Xcel Energy Margarita Alarcon, 303-294-2300 www.xcelenergy.com

KEYWORD: COLORADO ARIZONA MINNESOTA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OIL/GAS ENERGY SOFTWARE NETWORKING UTILITIES TRADESHOW MANAGEMENT CHANGES SOURCE: Xcel Energy

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