Excellence in governance

Company earns another 10 for Excellence in Corporate Governance from GovernanceMetrics International (GMI)

In the past few years, issues surrounding corporate governance have come under the microscope, due to a number of high profile oversight failures in the national and international business communities. The Wisconsin Energy board, as a whole, has instilled a commitment to stockholder rights and progressive governance. Wisconsin Energy has been recognized for these efforts.

Wisconsin Energy continues to rank at the top among more than 4,300 companies rated worldwide for its governance practices by GMI, an independent rating agency. Over an eight-year period, WEC has earned a perfect 10 rating 31 out of 32 times, the only company worldwide to achieve this distinction.

“The Wisconsin Energy board of directors has extremely high standards for how we manage our company and conduct our business,” says Gale Klappa, Wisconsin Energy chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Consistent recognition for excellence in corporate governance from GMI’s independent review speaks volumes about the high quality of corporate governance practices here, and it places us in very rare company worldwide.”

Approximately 4,300 global companies, including all companies in the S&P 500, S&P Mid Cap 400, S&P Small Cap 600, Russell 1000 Index and TSX 60 (Canada), are rated by GMI.

GMI's rating system incorporates hundreds of data points across six broad categories of analysis: board accountability; financial disclosure and internal controls; shareholder rights; director and executive compensation; takeover provisions, and corporate behavior. GMI rating criteria are based on securities regulations, stock exchange listing requirements and various corporate governance codes and principles.