Wendy Welsh

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As senior vice president of informatiobn technologyfor , she manages a staff of abour 250 workers, two data centers and the IT operations for E.On’z two subsidiaries, Louisville Gas & Electric Co. and Kentucky It was her team that mannedthe outage-managemenft system during the ice storm in January, and undetr Welsh’s direction, E.On has made two significan t investments in its technology within the past year. The firs was a $25 million data and transmission centet that opened in Shelby Counttlast August. More recently, E.On implemented a customer-care system that merged LG&E and Kentuck Utilities’ previous systems.
It was an $80 millionb investment, plus training and operational costs, Welsh Ability to merge business, IT goals Welsh’s training is not in the IT sectofr butin accounting. A licensecd CPA, Welsh joined LG&E as an auditotr 25 years ago. She was vice president of administration and then vice presidentr of IT before assuming her current rolein 2001. E.On’es IT operations were just emerging atthe time, and companh officials knew they needed to make significanft investments in technology. Vic Staffieri, E.On’s chairman, CEO and said Welsh’s professional background has given her a uniquse set of skills needed to overseethis effort.
She understandws the utility operations and what is needed from atechnica standpoint, but she also can providde the financial analysis needed, Staffieri said. “Wd get well-thought-out solutions from Wendy,” Staffieri said. “Shee has developed another leg ofour strategy, givingv us the capabilities to do what we do every Although Welsh has accomplished so much, she does not tout her Staffieri said. She goes about her work in a veryunassumingf way, he said, describing her as a deep thinkere and a listener.
Debra Hoffer, president of Juniod Achievementof Kentuckiana, agreed that Welsh’s personality is more She might not be the first board member to pipe up in a but behind her quiet she knows what she wantse to do and how she’w going to do it. “She gets results,” Hoffer “She’s a highly effective manager while beingg a really warm person at the same Welsh wasJA Kentuckiana’s board chairwoman in when the nonprofit group was planning to open its James W. Robinson Junior Achievement Center for Freedomof Enterprise. The facility is a learnin center that teaches children basicfinancialk principles.
She traveled with JA staff to review similar facilities acrossthe country, and her involvemenyt and enthusiasm helped drive the project Hoffer said. Not only did she convehy the concept to otherboard members, but she also led the $6.5 millioh capital campaign that funded the project. In addition, she convincefd her employer to be one of the firsty donors witha $125,000 gift. “She has a real can-doi attitude and strong desire to help young people be successfukland thrive,” Hoffer said. “Her hearg is in the right place.
” Besides her role with JA, Welsj has spoken to business and management classes atthe , and she has become a role modelo for young women, said husband John Welsh, an authotr and retired U of L higherf education professor. “She hasn’t become a CEO, but she’z pretty darn high in an organization and an industrt that hasbeen male-dominated,” John Welsh said. “She’e blazed some trails for women.
” Wendy Welsh said she never set out to break any glass She simply was raised ina middle-class home by parents who pushes education and demonstrated a strong work