Empire District Electric : 02-07-2017 - Empire Announces Department Head Changes

JOPLIN, MO - February 7, 2017 - Empire District - Liberty Utilities Central announced today Christi Botts has been named Director of Financial Reporting, Doyle Holt has been named Director of Purchasing and Administrative Services, and Jeff Lee has been named Director of Accounting and Administration.

Ms. Botts will be responsible for all internal and external financial reporting requirements for the Liberty Central region, including coordination of activities with corporate headquarters in Oakville.

Ms. Botts is a graduate of Pittsburg State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Accounting. She began her career at Empire on July 12, 1993 as an Accounting Services Clerk. Her previous positions include Financial Accountant, Planning Analyst, and Senior Manager of Financial Reporting. Ms. Botts and her husband, Tim, have one child.

Mr. Holt will be responsible for purchasing activities, fleet and transportation services, and building needs.

Mr. Holt is a graduate of The College of the Ozarks and received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. He began his career at Empire on May 12, 2012 as a Land Administration Specialist, and was promoted to Senior Land Administration Specialist in May of 2016. Between 1994 and 2012, Mr.

Holt served in multiple management roles with Office Depot at various Indiana and Missouri locations. Prior to this, he held a management role with Wal-Mart, Inc. Mr. Holt and his wife, Michele, have three children.

Mr. Holt has served in various roles and is active in the Tri-Sate Summer League, as well as the USA Swim Team Organization. He is also an active member of the local chapters of the Lymphoma Society, American Heart Association, and Alzheimer's Association.

Mr. Lee will be responsible for all Empire accounting activities related to revenue, fuel, property, accounts payable, and corporate taxes, as well as overall SOX compliance. He will also coordinate

accounting functions occurring in Pine Bluff, AR, and Jackson, MO as part of the Liberty Central region accounting team.

Mr. Lee is a graduate of Pittsburg State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Management and a Masters of Business Administration. He began his career at Empire on November 24, 2008. His previous positions include Accounting Analyst, Manager of General Accounting and Financial Reporting and Manager of Accounting and Administration. Prior to joining Empire, Mr. Lee was an auditor for BKD, a regional public accounting firm. Mr. Lee and his wife, Kristina, have two children.

Based in Joplin, Missouri, The Empire District Electric Company is a subsidiary of Liberty Utilities Co. and headquarters for the Liberty Utilities Central Region, providing electric, natural gas, water, and wastewater service to nearly 340,000 customers across seven states. A subsidiary of the company provides fiber optic services. For more information regarding Empire, visit www.empiredistrict.com. For more information about Liberty Utilities, visitwww.libertyutilities.com.

Communications/Media Coordinator 417-625-5180

ewright@empiredistrict.com

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