DAYTON, OH--(Marketwire - March 22, 2011) - Former Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Commander and Dayton Development Coalition Vice President of Aerospace and Defense Colleen M. Ryan has been hired by Vectren Corporation (NYSE: VVC) as the president of its Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio (VEDO) gas utility. The position, announced in a 2010 management reorganization, is designed to enhance the company's presence with local government officials, community leaders and customers in the 17 Ohio counties served by the utility.
"Colleen's experience in the Miami Valley makes her a great addition to our team," said Vectren President and CEO Carl L. Chapman. "With more than one million customers in two states it has become increasingly important to partner with local communities, and Colleen will provide a great bridge in that regard."
Ryan, who officially joins the company May 16, will work with the company's government affairs and community sustainability staff to identify and implement community relations programs to permanently improve the quality of life in Dayton-area communities.
Her new role will continue the work begun at the Dayton Development Coalition, where she led efforts to establish the region as one of the country's leading aerospace and defense hubs and worked to increase capital investment and job growth in her role as regional vice president for economic and business development.
"Colleen has been a tremendous leader in the Dayton region both during her time as the commander at Wright-Patterson and here at the Coalition, and this transition allows her to continue to be an advocate for the area," said Jim Leftwich, president and CEO of the Dayton Development Coalition. "Vectren has been a long-time valued partner, and Colleen's addition to their leadership team will serve both Vectren and the Dayton region well."
Prior to her work at the Dayton Development Coalition, Ryan spent 26 years in various leadership positions at the United States Air Force, culminating in her role as Commander at Wright-Patterson from 2006 to 2008. The Dayton resident holds an undergraduate degree in medical technology from the University of New Hampshire, a master's of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as well as a master's of strategic studies from Air War College/Air University.
"Colleen served as the 'mayor' of Wright-Patterson and helped lead economic development in the area. Now, she will interact with many of the same people while working to advocate, educate and grow natural gas and energy opportunities," Chapman said.
VEDO serves 315,000 gas customers in all or a portion of Auglaize, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Darke, Fayette, Greene, Highland, Logan, Madison, Miami, Montgomery, Pickaway, Preble, Shelby and Warren counties.
About Vectren
Vectren Corporation (NYSE: VVC) is an energy holding company headquartered in Evansville, Ind. Vectren's energy delivery subsidiaries provide gas and/or electricity to more than one million customers in adjoining service territories that cover nearly two-thirds of Indiana and west central Ohio. Vectren's nonutility subsidiaries and affiliates currently offer energy-related products and services to customers throughout the U.S. These include infrastructure services, energy services, coal mining and energy marketing. To learn more about Vectren, visit http://www.vectren.com.
