PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Robin McAlester, Corporate Communications 417-625-5180,rmcalester@empiredistrict.com

THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY ANNOUNCES RANDY RICHARDSON AS PLANT MANAGER OF EMPIRE ENERGY CENTERJOPLIN, MO - May 9, 2016 - Effective April 1, 2016, Mr. Randy Richardson was named Plant Manager of the Empire Energy Center. In this position, he is responsible for all aspects relating to staffing, operation, and maintenance of the plant.

Mr. Richardson graduated from the University of Missouri - Rolla with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He later received his Master of Business Administration through Northwest Missouri State University.

In July 1992, he joined Empire as an engineer and later served as Electrical Engineer of Line Design. He also held various positions at Empire's Riverton and Asbury plants including Local Projects Manager, AQCS Construction Manager, Manager of Operations, Supervisor of Coal Handling, and Electrical and Controls Manager.

Prior to joining Empire, Mr. Richardson worked as an Engineer for Eagle Picher.

Mr. Richardson and his wife, Christy, have three children.

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Page 2/RichardsonBased in Joplin, Missouri, The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE: EDE) is an investor-owned, regulated utility providing electric, natural gas (through its wholly owned subsidiary The Empire District Gas Company), and water service, with approximately 218,000 customers in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. A subsidiary of the company provides fiber optic services. For more information regarding Empire, visitwww.empiredistrict.com.

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The Empire District Electric Company published this content on 09 May 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 09 May 2016 21:59:03 UTC.

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