Ameren Illinois - Experts & Thought Leaders

Ameren Corporation announced organizational changes designed to drive consistent and continuously improving operating performance and enhance the breadth and depth of experience of its executive team, strengthening the company for the future. The changes are effective Jan. 1, 2026. Michael Moehn, currently senior executive vice president and chief financial officer of Ameren Corporation and chairman and president of Ameren Services, as well as interim chairman and president of Ameren Missouri, will assume the newly created role of group president, Ameren Utilities. In this role, Moehn will oversee each of Ameren's operating utilities, with the presidents of Ameren Missouri, Ameren Illinois, and Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois reporting to him. Prior roles of Singh  Lenny Singh, currently chairman and president of Ameren Illinois, will assume the role of executive vice president and chief financial officer of Ameren Corporation and chairman and president of Ameren Services. Moehn and Singh will continue reporting to Martin J. Lyons Jr., chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ameren Corporation. Patrick Smith Sr., currently senior vice president of operations and technical services, will assume the role of chairman and president of Ameren Illinois and report to Moehn.  Ameren's strong commitment "This strategic rotation of responsibilities reflects Ameren's strong commitment to continuous improvement at all levels of our organization," Lyons said. "It is part of a deliberate process designed to consistently deliver exceptional value to our customers, the communities we serve and our shareholders, as the energy industry continues to evolve." Shawn Schukar will continue to serve as chairman and president of Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois, which has driven significant value for customers and the company under his leadership. Ameren senior leadership roles Moehn joined Ameren in 2000 and has held numerous senior leadership roles across the company, with responsibility for areas including nuclear and customer operations, regulatory and legislative affairs, strategy, finance, accounting, risk management and digital. Prior to his current role, he served as chairman and president of Ameren Missouri. "We're positioning Ameren for even greater effectiveness and efficiency," Lyons said. "This enhanced structure enables us to streamline decision-making, optimize resource allocation, and deliver more consistent, high-quality service to our customers. It also reinforces our commitment to operational excellence, financial discipline and strategic growth across all areas of the business." Construction services for Ameren Illinois Singh spent more than 30 years at Consolidated Edison Company of New York, where he served in a variety of roles across electric, natural gas and steam operations and shared services, before joining Ameren in 2022 as chairman and president of Ameren Illinois.  Since joining Ameren as a meter reader in 1985, Smith has served in a variety of leadership roles. In his current role, he is responsible for the oversight and support of all electric and natural gas field operations, including maintenance, engineering design, safety and training, reliability planning, dispatch operations, emergency response, and construction services for Ameren Illinois.

Ameren Illinois customers in Tilton will see energy at work firsthand throughout the spring and summer as crews replace vintage steel pipelines and natural gas services with modern, corrosion-resistant polyethylene material. Crews working on behalf of Ameren Illinois will upgrade approximately 3.0 miles of natural gas pipeline and approximately 180 individual customers' natural gas services from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Future needs of natural gas The upgrades will occur between CSX Railroad tracks and Route 1 and from Southgate Drive to Trinity Drive. The total project investment is approximately $2.0 million. All work should be completed by the end of September, weather pending. "These proactive steps will ensure the continued safe, reliable delivery of natural gas today while preparing us to meet the future needs of our natural gas customers," said Bob Elliott, Superintendent of Gas Operations and Construction for the East Region. Reliable natural gas service  Ameren Illinois is asking motorists driving through these local neighborhoods to be mindful Elliott added: "Many customers think of Ameren Illinois as an electric company, but we also provide very reliable natural gas service to Vermilion County. We have more than 10 full-time natural gas employees in Vermilion County who maintain the system; respond to gas leaks free of charge, 24/7; install new services; and perform construction projects." Ameren Illinois is asking motorists driving through these local neighborhoods to be mindful of the trucks moving and employees working near the streets and to slow down in the work zone. Work zone safety "We need everyone's help when it comes to work zone safety in these neighborhoods and on every route where workers are present," said Richard Spurgeon, Manager of Safety for Ameren Illinois. "The signs and cones create their protected work area. Please slow down as you drive on these local streets and pay attention. Our co-workers want to return home safely at the end of the day." Interruption of natural gas service A brief interruption of natural gas service is required while switching individual services For projects in process, a brief interruption of natural gas service is required while switching individual services over to their new services just before the work is completed. Ameren Illinois will relight natural gas appliances for any customer who requests it. If a customer is not home at the time of the service interruption, the customer may call 1-800-755-5000 to schedule a convenient time for the company to relight natural gas appliances at no charge. Safe Digging As required by law, Ameren Illinois will call J.U.L.I.E. (8-1-1) prior to starting work so crews can dig safely. Customers will see paint marks and colored flags in neighborhoods and along the road to mark the location of underground utilities.

This week is National Teen Driver Safety Week and Ameren Illinois is reminding parents and high school driver ed instructors to have conversations with their teens or students about the important rules they need to follow to stay safe behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. These rules address the greatest dangers for teen drivers: alcohol, inconsistent or no seat belt use, distracted/texting, drowsy driving, speeding, and having too many passengers. Drivers safety protocol A less talked about, but nonetheless important, "rule" is what teens should do when a power line falls onto their vehicle. The Illinois Department of Transportation estimates that Illinois motorists strike power poles approximately 3,000 times a year. Ameren Illinois knows this firsthand because its crews are called to the scene of these crashes to de-energize the power lines. But what’s most alarming is the fact that most motorists don’t know what to do in this scenario. Ameren Illinois coworkers met with more than 150 driver education instructors across its service territory and posed the following question – "Do you teach teen drivers safety protocol regarding vehicle accidents involving utility power poles?" The teachers' answers varied between "no" and "the material we use is outdated." Driver education classes               Ameren Illinois coworkers met with more than 150 driver education instructors across its service territory Ameren Illinois partnered with the Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association a few years ago to create a curriculum and video that instructors can use in the classroom. Ameren Illinois is reminding parents, instructors and students as well as experienced drivers that the video and curriculum is free to use and could save a life one day.  Teens learning to drive through driver education classes in Illinois high schools are bombarded with safety information as they recall those lessons before getting behind the wheel for the first time. The video features a young woman from the Ameren Illinois service territory whose car encountered a downed wire during a severe thunderstorm. She gave a first-hand account about the mistakes she made and how lucky she was to have escaped unharmed. Potential energized zone "It's a natural instinct to exit a vehicle after any crash, but when power lines are involved, both the vehicle and ground can become energized," said Karen Boulanger, director of Safety for Ameren, who is also featured on the video. "The message we share drives home the importance of remaining in the vehicle and calling 911. Only when the power company arrives and certifies that the lines are de-energized is it safe to exit." Ameren Illinois offers tips about what to do if anyone sees downed power lines on a vehicle: Stay inside the vehicle and assume all wires on the vehicle are energized. Call 911 and wait for a professional lineman to tell users the lines are de-energized and it is safe to exit. Remind Good Samaritans to stay at least 50 feet away to keep them out of the potential energized zone. Roll down the window and tell passengers are ok or hurt and to call 911.