CEO of The United Illuminating Company Named 2007 United Way Campaign Chair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2007

Media Contact: Michelle Wade

203.772.2010, Ext.202
mwade@uwgnh.org

Jack Healy, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater New Haven, announced today that James P. Torgerson, chief executive officer of The United Illuminating Company (UI) and President and Chief Executive Officer of UIL Holdings Corporation, has been named Chair of the United Way’s 2007 Campaign.

“We are honored to have such a valuable and dedicated partner leading the United Way campaign,” said Healy. “As campaign chair, Jim has volunteered to oversee and drive the local fundraising efforts that support United Way’s work to eliminate economic and educational disparities in our community.”

Torgerson will lead the campaign to meet the goal of raising $5.9 million dollars. Last year, the United Way raised and invested $5.6 million dollars in our community.

Torgerson, CEO of UI since April 2006, was previously President and CEO of the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc., and a member of the Board of Directors. He also served as Chief Financial Officer for several gas and electric utilities in North America. Torgerson is active in the local community as a board member for St. Raphael’s Healthcare System, the Regional Growth Partnership and the Connecticut Business and Industry Association. He is also a member of the Regional Leadership Council. On a national level, Torgerson is a member of the board of the Edison Electric Institute.

“The United Way Campaign is an opportunity for each of us to become more active in helping our community become the best place it can possibly be,” said Torgerson. “I look forward to this opportunity to contribute my time and energy to Greater New Haven and to making this year’s United Way campaign the best ever.”

Torgerson’s commitment to the community is shared by others in the company. UI’s annual employee campaign successfully engages employee contributions from throughout the company, and the company matches these gifts with corporate contributions. Lawanda Leslie, UI’s director of Corporate Secretary and Insurance Administration, serves on the Board of Directors at the United Way, and Alice Martin from UI’s Economic and Community Development team serves on the 2007 allocation committee. For more than 10 years, UI employees have supported the United Way’s annual Days of Caring with landscaping projects for the Clifford Beers Clinic.

The United Illuminating Company is an electric transmission and distribution utility based in New Haven, Connecticut. Its service territory consists of 17 municipalities located in the greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas. The 320,000 residential customers within this region encompass approximately 35 percent of Connecticut’s total population.

The more than 970 employees of The United Illuminating Company share a spirit of service to customers and the community. This spirit of service manifests itself in high quality, highly reliable service and programs, including energy conservation, customer conveniences such as whole house surge protection and hot water heater rental options. With a history of more than 100 years, the company is a shareholder-owned, independently operated public service company.

About United Way:
United Way brings together the caring power of our community to create measurable, sustainable change and to improve lives. To do this we: help identify our region's greatest needs and best opportunities for change; raise dollars and invest those dollars for results; connect people to their caring through volunteer opportunities.

More information about United Way of Greater New Haven's community leadership and how you can help can be found at http://www.uwgnh.org/.

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