Patrick J. Maher, chairman of Washington Gas Light, will retireeffective March 1. He will begin his leave pending retirement onDec. 1. Maher joined the company in 1974 as vice president andchief financial officer, and subsequently held the positions ofexecutive vice president of finance and administration, president,and chief executive officer. He has been a member of the board ofdirectors since 1988 and became chairman in 1992.

In 1996, Maher was selected as the best chief executive officerin the “Utilities: Gas and Water” category by FinancialWorldmagazine. He was one of 38 CEOs considered in that category. Maherreceived the American Gas Association Distinguished Service Awardin 1997.

The Board of Directors elected James H. DeGraffenreidt, Jr., 45,chairman of the board and chief executive officer, effective Dec.Joseph M. Schepis, 45, was elected president and chief operatingofficer, also effective Dec. 1. Schepis was also elected to theboard of directors with his term to begin in December.

DeGraffenreidt served as president and CEO since Jan. 1. He hadserved as president and chief operating officer since 1994. Schepiscurrently serves as executive vice president and chief operatingofficer. In 1994 he was elected senior vice president and chieffinancial officer. Before serving in those positions, he wastreasurer, then vice president of rates and regulatory affairs.

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