Westar Energy Announces Changes in Officer Responsibilities

TOPEKA, Kan., Sept. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Westar Energy, Inc. announced today that Caroline Williams has been appointed vice president, distribution power delivery. She previously was vice president, customer care. Williams joined Westar Energy in 1975 as a customer billing coordinator. She has managed a variety of customer service and field related areas, including training and account services, credit and collections, call centers, and meter and service operations. She became executive director then vice president of customer service in 1999 and 2000, respectively, becoming vice president of customer care in 2001. She received her bachelor of science degree in human resources and her master's degree in human resources/organizational development from Friends University. She serves on numerous boards, including Leadership Wichita, Project Deserve Trust Fund, National Conference for Community and Justice, Via Christi Foundation and United Way of the Plains. She serves on the advisory board for the Kansas Department of Revenue. She is a member of the Edison Electric Institute Customer Service Committee and the Wichita and Topeka chambers of commerce. In 2004 she was included in Women Who Mean Business and Wichita Business Journal Women in Business Awards. She is a graduate of 2005 Leadership Kansas.

Peggy Loyd will become vice president, customer care, once her replacement as head of corporate compliance and internal audit is named. Loyd joined Westar Energy in 1979 as an assistant auditor. During her tenure, she has served in a variety of positions in auditing, marketing, strategic planning and financial services. Before becoming vice president, corporate compliance and internal audit, she was vice president, financial services. She received her bachelor's degree in accounting and business administration from Wichita State University. She is a certified internal auditor. She serves on the board of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence, the Leadership Lawrence Advisory Board, the Youth Leadership Advisory Board and the Douglas County ECO2 Commission. She is a 2006 Leadership Lawrence graduate. Loyd will be based in Wichita.

In their new roles both Williams and Loyd will report to Bill Moore, president and chief operating officer.

"Caroline and Peggy are outstanding leaders with extensive and varied experience. Their commitment to customer service, results for investors, and making Westar a good place to work has been proved over many years," said Jim Haines, chief executive officer.

Westar Energy, Inc. is the largest electric utility in Kansas, providing electric service to about 667,000 customers in the state. Westar Energy has nearly 6,000 megawatts of electric generation capacity and operates and coordinates approximately 33,000 miles of electric distribution and transmission lines.

For more information about Westar Energy, visit us on the Internet at http://www.westarenergy.com/ .

Media contact: Karla Olsen, senior manager, media relations Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone] contact: Bruce Burns, director, investor relations Phone: [phone]