PRESS RELEASE


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amy Bass
Director, Corporate Communications
417-625-5114 abass@empiredistrict.com
THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY ANNOUNCES LANCE ADAMS AS
DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

JOPLIN, MO - December 12, 2012 - Mr. Lance Adams joined The Empire District Electric Company on November 19, 2012, as director of Information Technology. In this position, he will plan and direct the Company's information systems activities, including operation, maintenance, documentation, and system implementations.
Mr. Adams is a graduate of Greenfield High School. He received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems at Missouri Southern State University and a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems at Missouri State University.
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THE EMPIRE DIS T RICT ELECTRI C C O MPANY • 6 02 JO PLIN AVE NUE • JO PLIN, MISSOU R I 6 4 8 0 1 • 4 17- 62 5- 51 00 • F AX: 417 -6 25- 51 69 • ww w . e m pi redi stri c t.c o m

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Prior to joining Empire, Mr. Adams spent 19 years with Catholic Healthcare Initiatives, most recently as the national manager of ambulatory electronic health records. He previously worked as a programmer/analyst for Dillard's Department Stores in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Mr. Adams and his wife, Jill, reside in Carl Junction; they have three children.
Mr. Adams is active in the Carl Junction Chamber of Commerce and was recognized by the chamber as school volunteer of the year in 2010.
Based in Joplin, Missouri, The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE:EDE) is an investor- owned utility providing electric, natural gas (through its wholly owned subsidiary The Empire District Gas Company), and water service, with approximately 215,000 customers in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. A subsidiary of the Company also provides fiber optic services. For more information regarding Empire, visit www.empiredistrict.com.
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THE EMPIRE DIS T RICT ELECTRI C C O MPANY • 6 02 JO PLIN AVE NUE • JO PLIN, MISSOU R I 6 4 8 0 1 • 4 17- 62 5- 51 00 • F AX: 417 -6 25- 51 69 • ww w . e m pi redi stri c t.c o m

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