Anthony Reese Email & Phone Number

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Currently, I serve as financial leader of 2 WEC utilities. Lead ~25 financial team members in treasury, risk management, regulatory finance, and financial forecasting for the WEC corporation across 4 states. Advise and guide the WEC Energy Group Chairmen of the Board, CEO and CFO in future focused financial strategy. Partner with the Executive Vice President in launching a new business development strategy, serving as financial strategist in researching and acquiring renewable generation projects with long-term offtake agreements. In charge of regulatory finance, filing rate cases including serving as a witness in certain of WEC jurisdictions. Interact with companies fixed income investors along with the investor relations team.Achievements Include♦ Advanced corporate liquidity and Parent level credit metrics by accomplishing 2 project-based financings for the WEC infrastructure subsidiary, the 1st time in company history. ♦ Attained revenue-backed securities, achieving approval from the commission for the 1st Environmental Controls Securitization transaction in Wisconsin for the Wisconsin Electric Power Company Subsidiary. ♦ Steered financial analysis and negotiations as a member of the transaction team for 8 acquisitions of wind and solar generation assets valued over $2B♦ Financial strategist for the company’s generation reshaping capital plan aimed at aggressively reducing carbon by transitioning the generation fleet to renewable energy. ♦ Reduced risk and captured interest cost savings by utilizing liability management in a unique market period during the pandemic to maximize low interest rates. Implemented redemption and tender strategy to repurchase expensive debt and replace with lower cost debt.♦ Key member of the Investment Trust Policy Committee which has fiduciary oversight of the company’s pension, OPEB, 401K plans and investments.

In 2015, I transitioned to Illinois Controller following acquisition of 2 utilities, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, by WEC Energy Group. Strategic financial partner to the President/CEO of Illinois Utilities and key member of the transition team. Promptly gained understanding of financials across 2 utilities companies, ensuring proper recording and reporting of financials. Partnered with divisional leadership to integrate processes and reduce operational expense. Managed a 25-member team in accounting, which provided budgeting and forecasting support to the Illinois Senior Leadership team. Steadily earned authorized return on equity the 1st year following the acquisition and continued over the next 3 years. Achievements Include♦ Attained continuation approval for the 30+ year, mulltimillion-dollar annual capital construction program, the Safety Modernization Program. Provided insight on program metrics and financial impacts to the customer in a workshop process with the Illinois Commerce Commission.♦ Captured nearly $50M operational expense reduction following merger of the 2 utility companies. Conducted analysis of newly integrated operating model to identify synergies and restructured teams for optimal efficiency. ♦ Financial lead in negotiating favorable 5-year union contract for Peoples Gas in Chicago. Successful contract negotiation was critical to continued progress on the Safety Modernization Program.♦ Evaluated and approved Illinois-based projects valued at $1M+ for Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas as a member of the Illinois Senior Projects Team encompassing President/CEO of Illinois Utilities and VPs.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

As WEC's Manager of FP&A, I led a 4-member team performing financial planning and analysis across the enterprise. Created financial forecasts and discussed strategic assumptions with the Treasurer and CFO. Prepared 5-year forecasts for credit rating agencies. Liaised with credit rating agency analysts to sustain investment grade corporate credit ratings. Participated in development of rate case filings with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin and other regulatory bodies and contributed in the attainment of favorable rate case outcomes. Developed financial presentations and reports for the finance committee at the quarterly and annual Board of Directors meetings. Graduated from an analyst to leader of the FP&A team within 5 years. Achievements Include ♦ Led financial analysis as a member of the due diligence team for a multibillion-dollar acquisition. Contributed to development of a financial model post acquisition.

During this time, I participated in client audit and attestation services, preparing income tax returns for corporate, partnership, individual, trust and personal property on behalf of this accounting and business advisory services firm. Advised corporate and individuals in tax planning. Championed the application of the firm’s fixed asset depreciation software to clients.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Finance Concentration

Focus Area: Financial Strategy

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Accounting

Activities and Societies: Schilcutt Scholarship | NCAA Academic All-American, Golf