New Merger Creates Michigan's Third Largest Power Utility

The customer-owners of Great Lakes Energy Cooperative (Newaygo, MI), Top O'Michigan Electric Company (Boyne City, MI) and Western Michigan Electric Cooperative (Scottville, MI) approved a three-way merger proposal. As of January 1, 1999 the three power companies will operate as Great Lakes Energy Cooperative.

This merger creates the third largest Michigan-based utility and the eighth largest customer-owned power company in the United States. The new Great Lakes Energy will serve 106,000 electric customers in 26 Michigan counties from the Mackinaw area to just north of Kalamazoo. The company will also sell propane and offer a selection of services, including heating and cooling, electrical contracting, insulation, economic and community development and more.

Ed Doss, the president and chief of executive officer of Top O'Michigan Electric Company, will be president and chief executive officer of Cooperative; Robert L. Hance, president and chief operating officer of Great Lakes Energy, will serve as the company's chief operating officer; and Steve Boeckman, vice-president of finance at Top O'Michigan Electric, will be the Cooperative's chief financial officer.

Cooperative's joint headquarters will be located in Boyne City and Newaygo. There will be customer service and linemen's centers in Wayland, Hart, Reed City, Scottville, Kalkaska and Gaylord, with additional propane locations in Fremont, New Era, Ludington, Sparta, Mecosta and Howard City.