Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Announces Executive Appointments

DOVER, Del., June 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- John R. Schimkaitis, Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE: CPK),  announced that the Board of Directors appointed  Elaine B. Bittner and Jeffrey R. Tietbohl as Vice Presidents of the Company at their meeting earlier this week. These appointments are effective immediately.

"These promotions reflect the significant contributions these two individuals have made over the course of their careers with the Company and the excellent performance they have continually exhibited.   The dedication, quality and integrity of these two individuals are exemplary," stated Schimkaitis. "Their consistent efforts in delivering innovative solutions have significantly contributed to Chesapeake's continued growth over the last five years and they continue to identify new opportunities that will position the Company for future growth."

In her new role as Vice President of Strategic Development for the Company, Ms. Bittner will be in charge of oversight and coordination of strategic planning and corporate development, new business opportunities, strategic governmental affairs, communications and human resources.  Ms. Bittner will retain her current position as Vice President of Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company (ESNG), Chesapeake's natural gas pipeline subsidiary, until a successor has been identified and hired. "Elaine's commitment and focus on leading growth opportunities such as new access to clean burning natural gas in areas like Milton, Georgetown and Millsboro, Delaware, and bringing the highest quality service, are two examples of her many successes with the Company," stated Michael P. McMasters, President and Chief Operating Officer of Chesapeake. "Over the course of her successful career at Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company, Ms. Bittner has delivered strong business unit performance and strategic direction which has enabled the pipeline to more than double its transmission capacity and thus grow the pipeline, its people and its performance."  

Ms. Bittner joined the Company in 1996 as an Environmental Engineer and was promoted to Manager of Environmental Affairs in 1999 and Director of Environmental Affairs in 2000. She worked closely with the Environmental Protection Agency to negotiate and subsequently manage the successful remediation of a former manufactured gas facility.  In 2001, she was promoted to Director of Customer Service and Regulatory Affairs at ESNG. She was promoted to Director of ESNG in 2003, and named Vice President in 2005. Ms. Bittner's responsibilities include oversight of all business functions for ESNG, including engineering, operations, strategic planning, budgets, business development, rates and regulatory affairs, contracts, billing, customer service and gas control functions.  She has successfully developed and executed strategic plans for ESNG.  She has also developed and managed the unit's financial performance relative to its operating and capital budgets, delivering strong earnings growth and returns on investment.

Mr. Tietbohl's promotion from Assistant Vice President to Vice President of the Company is the result of the many contributions that he has made to the Company including his leadership and oversight in identifying and capturing new customer growth opportunities on the Delmarva Peninsula.  "Our Delaware division's recent expansion project to bring clean burning, environmentally efficient natural gas  to the Mountaire Farms plant in Millsboro, Delaware, is one example, from a list of many, of Jeff's accomplishments here at Chesapeake," said Mr. McMasters. "Jeff has consistently been a top performer and key contributor and is well respected among his colleagues," he added. "We are excited to see his continued growth along with that of the Company."

Mr. Tietbohl joined Chesapeake in 1989. In addition to managing both the Delaware and Maryland divisions, he has developed and executed strategic plans as well as prepared and managed the unit's financial performance relative to its operating and capital budgets. He has also developed and implemented sales and marketing programs and pursued new opportunities that have enhanced the earnings of the business unit. He was appointed Assistant Vice President of the Company in 2009.  He has previously served as Director of Natural Gas Distribution for Chesapeake Utilities' Delaware and Maryland divisions as well as Director of Regional Business Planning and Development for the Delmarva Natural Gas Distribution business unit, in addition to serving in various other regulatory and accounting positions since joining the Company in 1989.  

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified utility company engaged in natural gas distribution, transmission and marketing; electric distribution; propane gas distribution and wholesale marketing; advanced information services and other related services.

Information about Chesapeake's businesses is available on the World Wide Web at www.chpk.com.

SOURCE Chesapeake Utilities Corporation