WICOR`S chief financial officer to retire

"I have very mixed emotions about Joe`s decision to retire," said George E. Wardeberg, vice chairman of Wisconsin Energy Corporation. "Joe has been a cornerstone of this company, and his impact on WICOR`s growth and success simply can`t be measured. He helped guide WICOR`s evolution from a small Midwestern gas utility into a billion-dollar, diversified company doing business around the world. His keen business sense and good judgment were crucial in crafting the more than 30 acquisitions WICOR completed since 1980. He also created a strong financial organization, putting in place solid fiscal policies and controls to protect the WICOR companies and our shareholders."

Wardeberg said that because of WICOR`s recent merger with Wisconsin Energy Corporation, Wenzler`s position will not be filled.

Wenzler joined Sta-Rite Industries as controller in 1974, and rose through the ranks to become Sta-Rite`s president and chief executive officer in 1990. He was named a vice president.of WICOR in 1988, and was appointed vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer of WICOR and Wisconsin Gas in 1992. He became senior vice president of both companies in 1998.

A certified public accountant, Wenzler received a bachelor`s degree in business administration-accounting from Marquette University in 1964, and earned a master`s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1983.

Long active in community and professional activities, Wenzler received Marquette University`s 1999 Community Service Award and the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants Community Service Award this year. He is a member of Marquette University`s College of Business Administration Advisory Council, the St. Francis Seminary Board of Trustees, the United Way of Greater Milwaukee`s Investment Committee, the Medical College of Wisconsin Advisory Council, past president and member of the Financial Executives Institute-Milwaukee Chapter, and a member of the American and Wisconsin Institutes of Certified Public Accountants. He was ordained as deacon in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in 1994, and serves at St. Cecilia`s Parish, Thiensville.

WICOR, a subsidiary of Wisconsin Energy Corporation (NYSE:WEC), operates six subsidiaries in two industries: energy services and pump manufacturing. The subsidiaries are Wisconsin Gas, WICOR Energy, FieldTech, Sta-Rite Industries, SHURflo Pump Manufacturing Company and Hypro Corporation.