Executive Photos & Bios
Willard S. Evans, Jr.
President
Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas
Willard S. Evans, Jr., was appointed president of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas in 2008. In his role, Evans is responsible for strategic, tactical and operational direction of gas distribution operations at the two utilities. He also provides overall leadership for managers and employees and is responsible for implementing corporate initiatives and operational plans.
Evans has been with the natural gas distribution company for nearly 34 years, beginning his career as an engineering intern in 1974, and working summers until joining full-time in 1977. He rose through the ranks and has held several positions in the Gas Operations Division.
From 1997 to 2003, Evans served as vice president of Information Technology Services for Peoples GAs. From 2003 to 2004, he was vice president of Operations for Peoples Gas, and from 2004 until 2007, he was vice president of Gas Supply and Engineering for Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas.
Prior to assuming his role as president of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, he served as vice president of Gas Engineering, a position he held since February 2007.
As vice president of Gas Engineering, Evans led a team that provided engineering services to the Peoples Gas, Wisconsin Public Service, Michigan Gas Utilities, North Shore Gas and Minnesota Energy Resources. All are subsidiaries of Integrys Energy Group. Evans has also served as administrative assistant to the chairman and director of customer relations.
Evans serves on the boards of Chicago Commons (vice chairman), the Lake Forest Open Lands Association, the Chicago Urban League, Energy Insurance Mutual and LISC/Chicago. He is a member of the Midwest Energy Association, the American Gas Association, the American Association of Blacks in Energy, the Northwestern Club of Chicago and the Kellogg Alumni Club of Chicago.
Mr. Evans holds a bachelor's of science degree in electrical engineering and a master's degree in management from Northwestern University.