UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D. C. 20549
Form 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13
or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
January 14, 2004
(Date of earliest event reported)
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
South Dakota
001-31303
46-0458824
(State of Incorporation) (Commission File No.) (IRS Employer Identification Number)
625
Ninth Street
P. O. Box 1400
Rapid City, South
Dakota 57709
(605) 721-1700
| Item 5. | Other Events and Required FD Disclosure. |
| On January 14, 2004, the Company issued a press release announcing CEO succession and changes in its board membership. |
| The press release is attached as an exhibit to this Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. |
| Item 7. | Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits. |
| (c) Exhibit: 99 Press Release dated January 14, 2004 |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| BLACK HILLS CORPORATION |
|
By:
/s/ Mark T. Thies Mark T. Thies Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Date: January 14, 2004
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EXHIBIT INDEX
to
Black Hills Corporation
January 14, 2004 Form 8-K
| Exhibit
Number Description |
| 99 | Press Release dated January 14, 2004. |
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EXHIBIT 99
BLACK HILLS
CORPORATION ANNOUNCES CEO SUCCESSION
AND CHANGES IN BOARD
MEMBERSHIP
RAPID CITY, SD—January 14, 2003—Black Hills Corporation (NYSE: BKH), in keeping with its ongoing succession planning process, announced new executive leadership and changes in the membership of the Board of Directors.
David R. Emery was named President and Chief Executive Officer, effective today. Mr. Emery formerly was President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company’s retail operations, Black Hills Power and Black Hills FiberCom. Mr. Emery was elected by the Board to fill a vacancy. A 14-year veteran of the Company, Mr. Emery has a distinguished career of advancement and Company achievements. From 1997 to 2003, he led the fuel resources business segments, which included responsibility for coal mining and oil and natural gas exploration and production. Mr. Emery holds a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering and a master’s degree in business administration.
Mr. Emery succeeds Daniel P. Landguth, who has been Chief Executive Officer since 1991. Mr. Landguth, who remains Chairman of the Board, said, “I thank every one of our dedicated employees, who made my 34 years at the Company so fulfilling. I am as excited and confident as ever about Black Hills Corporation and the team that will continue its commitment to the customers, communities and investors we serve.”
In addition, the Board of Directors elected Stephen D. Newlin to fill a vacancy on the Board. Mr. Newlin is President of the Industrial Sector of Ecolab, Inc. (NYSE:ECL). Ecolab is a global developer and marketer of cleaning, maintenance and repair products for the hospitality, institutional and industrial markets, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Prior to that, Mr. Newlin was President, Chief Operating Officer and Vice Chairman of Nalco Exxon Energy Chemicals, a water treatment and process treatment specialty chemical company.
Everett E. Hoyt, who was President, remains Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation. Mr. Hoyt is retiring later this year.
The Company also announced the resignation of David S. Maney, effective January 9, 2004. Mr. Maney served on the Board of Directors since 1999.
Black Hills Corporation is a diverse energy and communications company. Black Hills Energy, our wholesale energy unit, generates electricity, produces natural gas, oil and coal and markets energy; Black Hills Power is our electric utility serving 60,000 customers in western South Dakota, northeastern Wyoming and southeastern Montana; and Black Hills FiberCom, our broadband communications company providing service to more than 26,000 customers, offers bundled telephone, high speed Internet and cable entertainment services.