Mark Kempic Named NiSource Chief Transformation Officer

MERRILLVILLE, Ind., Jan. 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) today announced that Mark Kempic, president of Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and Columbia Gas of Maryland, will become Chief Transformation Officer, effective Feb. 13, 2017. In this role, Kempic will continue building on and enhancing NiSource's efforts to integrate processes and technology across the company's seven-state footprint. He will report to NiSource President and CEO Joseph Hamrock and join the company's executive council.

"Mark's enhanced role is designed to accelerate the transformation of our companies to better serve our customers and communities, while at the same time supporting our continued growth through robust capital investments," Hamrock said. "Mark's track record of execution, inclusive leadership and understanding of NiSource's stakeholders and strategy makes him ideal for this role."

Kempic has more than 35 years of experience in the energy industry and has served in a broad range of functions, including engineering, gas supply, corporate planning and regulatory policy. He earned a bachelor's degree in computer and information science from the University of Pittsburgh, an associate's degree in solar heating and cooling engineering from Pennsylvania State University and a law degree from Capital University School of Law.

Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and Columbia Gas of Maryland also announced today that Mike Huwar has been appointed president, effective Feb. 13. Huwar re-joins NiSource after serving as vice president of marketing for Columbia Midstream, a subsidiary of Columbia Pipeline Group. Huwar's career at Columbia Gas began in 1986, and prior to joining Columbia Midstream, he served as vice president and general manager at Columbia Gas of Virginia. His experience also includes a variety of leadership positions in sales and customer relations across the NiSource gas distribution companies.

About NiSource
NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) is one of the largest fully-regulated utility companies in the United States, serving approximately 3.5 million natural gas customers and 500,000 electric customers across seven states through its local Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands. Based in Merrillville, Indiana, NiSource's approximately 8,000 employees are focused on safely delivering reliable and affordable energy to our customers and communities we serve. NiSource has been designated a World's Most Ethical Company by the Ethisphere Institute since 2012 and is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability - North America Index. Additional information about NiSource, its investments in modern infrastructure and systems, its commitments and its local brands can be found at www.nisource.com. Follow us at www.facebook.com/nisource, www.linkedin.com/company/nisource or www.twitter.com/nisourceinc. NI-F

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Examples of forward-looking statements in this release include statements and expectations regarding NiSource's business, performance, infrastructure or utility investments and growth. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, forecasts, estimates, plans and expectations discussed in this release include, but are not limited to, NiSource's debt obligations; any changes in NiSource's credit rating; NiSource's ability to execute its growth strategy; changes in general economic, capital and commodity market conditions; pension funding obligations; economic regulation and the impact of regulatory rate reviews; compliance with environmental laws and the costs of associated liabilities; fluctuations in demand from residential and commercial customers; economic conditions of certain industries; the price of energy commodities and related transportation costs; the reliability of customers and suppliers to fulfill their payment and contractual obligations; potential impairments of goodwill or definite-lived intangible assets; changes in taxation and accounting principles; potential incidents and other operating risks associated with our business; the impact of an aging infrastructure; the impact of climate change; potential cyber-attacks; risks associated with construction and natural gas cost and supply; extreme weather conditions; the ability of subsidiaries to generate cash; uncertainties related to the expected benefits of the separation of Columbia Pipeline Group, Inc. and other matters referenced in the "Risk Factors" section of NiSource's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 and in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. NiSource expressly disclaims any duty to update, supplement or amend any of its forward-looking statements contained in this release, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

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