Executive chairman
WEC Energy Group | Milwaukee
Gale Klappa has served as chairman of the WEC Energy Group board since 2019. The Milwaukee-based energy company has 7,000 employees, reported $8.8 billion in revenue in 2023, and serves nearly 4.7 million customers across Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota. Klappa previously led WEC Energy Group as CEO, including during its acquisition of Integrys Energy Group in 2015. He serves on the board of Associated Bank, is co-chair of the Milwaukee 7 and serves on the UWM School of Business Advisory Council. He also owns a minority interest in the Milwaukee Bucks.
Education: Bachelor’s, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Advice for first-time leaders: “Become a great listener. Set clear, measurable goals for yourself and your team. Be calm and transparent through the ups and downs. And communicate, communicate, communicate.”
Favorite Wisconsin destination: “It’s a three-way tie between the Milwaukee lakefront, Fiserv Forum and Lambeau Field.”
Definition of success: “Very simply: Have you left a place better than you found it?”
Historical figure you look up to: “Ronald Reagan. He was elected president at a time of great turmoil. His leadership and policies led to an end of the Cold War and ushered in an era of progress and prosperity in the U.S. He is still known today as the ‘Great Communicator.’”
2022 Wisconsin 275 Profile
Manufacturing | Energy & Utilities
Executive Chairman
WEC Energy Group | Milwaukee
Following WEC Energy Group’s acquisition of Integrys Energy Group, Gale Klappa retired as its CEO in 2016. The following year, he was reappointed by the board of directors to provide continuity after his successor had a major health setback. In 2019, Klappa was named executive chairman of the company. WEC, the Milwaukee-based holding company of Wisconsin Electric Power Co. and Wisconsin Gas LLC, has more than 4.5 million electric and natural gas customers and approximately 7,000 employees. Klappa sits on the MMAC’s executive committee, co-chairs the Milwaukee 7, serves on the UWM School of Business Advisory Council, and is a minority owner of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Education: Bachelor’s, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Favorite destinations: “Southern California (for the great weather), England and Scotland.”
Fun fact: “My first job after graduating from college was morning news anchor at a radio station in Minneapolis. It was ‘Fast Eddie and Joe Gale’ in the mornings.”
If you could give your favorite person any gift, what would it be: “An around-the-world trip for my wife.”
Nonprofit cause that has special meaning to you: “St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Incredible work toward curing childhood cancer.”
