Central Louisiana Electric announces management changes.

PINEVILLE, La.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 24, 1995--Central Louisiana Electric Company, Inc. (NYSE:CNL) made several changes in its top management structure effective July 21, 1995, Gregory L. Nesbitt, president and chief executive officer, announced today.

David M. Eppler, 45, formerly vice president of finance and chief financial officer, was named vice president of power supply and energy transmission, replacing Leonard G. Fontenot, who will remain a vice president until his retirement this December. Eppler had been the company's vice president of finance and chief financial officer since 1988. He joined the company in 1981. He holds a master of business administration degree in accounting and a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of New Mexico.

David K. Warner, 45, formerly vice president of administrative services, was named vice president of finance and chief financial officer. Warner had served as the company's vice president of administrative services since 1987. Prior to that, he served as the company's vice president of rates. He joined the company in 1980. He holds a master of business administration degree from the University of New Mexico and a bachelor's degree in physics from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

Leonard Fontenot had served as vice president in charge of the company's power generation since 1986. He joined the company in 1963 and has held a number of positions relating to electric generation throughout his 32-year career with the company. He holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Louisiana State University.

"When Leonard Fontenot announced his plans to retire, we decided to look at our organizational structure and begin preparing for the changes coming in the electric utility business," Nesbitt said. "Many of these changes are being prompted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's recently announced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, or NOPR. The current changes in the industry will have the heaviest impact in the generation and transmission sides of our business, and we feel David Eppler has the business insight and experience needed to lead that area of our company into the new competitive environment.

"Changes in the industry also offer tremendous challenges for our finance unit. We are also currently engaged in efforts to complete our acquisition of Teche Electric Cooperative and are preparing for an earnings and rates review by the Louisiana Public Service Commission later this year. David Warner has the experience needed to meet these responsibilities."

Central Louisiana Electric Company, Inc. operates solely in Louisiana as an electric utility serving 218,000 customers in 23 of the state's parishes.

CONTACT: Central Louisiana Electric Company, Inc.

Michael P. Prudhomme

Rodney J. Hamilton

318/484-7400