R. Emery, chairman and chief executive officer, notified the Black Hills Corp. board of directors on Oct. 29, 2018, that he will retire as the company's CEO on Dec.

31. To facilitate a smooth leadership transition, Emery will continue to serve as an employee of the company in the role of executive chairman of the board of directors until May 1, 2020, following the expiration of his current board term ending at the April 2020 annual meeting of shareholders. Consistent with the company's long-standing and comprehensive leadership succession plan, the board appointed Linden R. Evans, currently president and chief operating officer, to succeed Emery as chief executive officer effective Jan.

1, 2019. Evans was also appointed to the board of directors effective Nov. 1, 2018.

Evans, has served as the company's president and chief operating officer since January 2016. He previously served as president and chief operating officer of the company's utilities from 2004 through 2015, as vice president and general manager of the company's former telecommunication subsidiary in 2003 and 2004 and as associate counsel from 2001 to 2003. Prior to joining Black Hills, Evans was an engineer and manager for several mining organizations and thereafter engaged in the private practice of law, specializing in environmental and corporate legal matters.