NiSource Gas Transmission & Storage Continues to Strengthen Leadership Team
Joseph P. Shields to Lead Regulated Operations and Commercial Activities
Stephen M. Warnick Named Senior Vice President Supply and Business Development
NGT&S Contact
Mike Banas
219-647-5581
mbanas@nisource.com
HOUSTON (October 27, 2011) – NiSource Gas Transmission & Storage (NGT&S) today announced that Joseph P. Shields will join the company as Chief Operating Officer in charge of regulated operations and commercial activities for Columbia Gas Transmission, Columbia Gulf Transmission and Crossroads Pipeline.
“Joe Shields brings a strong customer service and operational excellence focus to our leadership team,” NiSource Executive Vice President and NGT&S CEO Jimmy Staton said. “In his new role, Joe will work closely with our customers and team members to improve service, modernize our pipeline and storage infrastructure and pursue organic, market-driven growth in our regulated assets.”
Staton noted that Shields’ leadership of the NGT&S regulated operations will complement the leadership of NiSource Energy Ventures Chief Operating Officer Joe Blount as his team optimizes NGT&S Midstream and shale gas production related growth opportunities.
“As Joe Shields and his team focus on our regulated assets, Joe Blount and his team will execute on a measured, thoughtful plan to leverage NiSource’s unparalleled position in the Marcellus and Utica shale production regions,” Staton said. “This coordinated approach will help NGT&S pursue complementary projects that capitalize on near-term growth opportunities, while also enhancing the long-term value of our pipeline and storage assets for our customers and shareholders.”
“I am excited to be joining the NGT&S team as we peruse a broad range of infrastructure modernization and organic growth opportunities that will benefit our customers.” Shields said. “I look forward to working with the NiSource team in leveraging our assets to further meet the needs of our customers and strengthen our position in this growing and changing energy marketplace while continuing to provide safe, reliable and efficient service.”
NGT&S also announced today that Stephen M. Warnick is joining the company as senior vice president, Supply and Business Development. Warnick, who joins NGT&S after serving in a leadership role at NiSource’s gas distribution businesses, brings a deep understanding of the NGT&S system and a history of developing collaborative business relationships.
Shields recently served as president of Millennium Pipeline, where he optimized the pipeline’s strategic location, delivery points and status as a low variable-cost pipeline, to create an ideal choice for both Marcellus Shale producers and local distribution companies throughout the Northeast U.S. Two recent expansions designed to provide maximum customer flexibility increased capacity on Millennium Pipeline by an additional 60 percent.
Prior to joining Millennium Pipeline, Shields served as executive vice president and COO of New Jersey Resources (NJR). There, he was responsible for natural gas supply acquisitions, negotiating transportation agreements and the development of NJR Energy Services from its inception to its current standing as a successful energy marketing company operating throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Shields has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Stockton State College and has completed the Changing the Game: Negotiation and Competitive Decision Making program at Harvard Business School. He also served on the Advisory Board for the School of Business at Montclair University.
For more information about NiSource Gas Transmission & Storage, please visit www.ngts.com. As units of NiSource Inc., the NGT&S companies include Columbia Gas Transmission, Columbia Gulf Transmission, Crossroads Pipeline, Hardy Storage, Millennium Pipeline and NiSource Energy Ventures. Combined, the companies operate about 15,000 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline and 37 storage fields, delivering over 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas per year.
NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI), based in Merrillville, Ind., is a Fortune 500 company engaged in natural gas transmission, storage and distribution, as well as electric generation, transmission and distribution. NiSource operating companies deliver energy to more than 3.8 million customers located within the high-demand energy corridor stretching from the Gulf Coast through the Midwest to New England. Information about NiSource and its subsidiaries is available via the Internet at www.nisource.com.