Ameren Illinois - Experts & Thought Leaders

Ameren Corporation announced that Steven O. Vondran has been elected to the Ameren Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2025. He is the President and Chief Executive Officer of American Tower Corporation, a global real estate investment trust and independent Owner, Operator and Developer of multitenant communications real estate with a portfolio of over 148,000 communications sites and a highly interconnected footprint of U.S. data center facilities. Steven O. Vondran has held various leadership positions since joining American Tower in 2000, including serving as Executive Vice President and Global Chief Operating Officer from November 2023 through February 2024, and as Executive Vice President and President, U.S. Tower Division from August 2018 through October 2023. Ameren's board of directors "We are excited to have Steven, who has extensive senior leadership and legal experience, join Ameren's board of directors," said Martin J. Lyons, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ameren, adding "His expertise with real estate and data center infrastructure will support Ameren's efforts in bolstering economic growth opportunities in Missouri and Illinois that will benefit our customers, communities and shareholders." Steven O. Vondran earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Business from Hendrix College.

Ahead of Utility Scam Awareness Day on Nov. 20, Ameren is reminding residential and business customers not to let their guard down during the busy holiday season. Customers should remain scam-aware and know how to spot common utility scam tactics. Utility companies worldwide partner to promote this United Against Scams campaign to raise awareness and educate customers, so they do not fall victim to scams. Latest scam tactics Holiday season is often a busy time that includes family gatherings, holiday parties, and travel The holiday season is often a busy time that includes family gatherings, holiday parties, travel, and shopping for gifts, but it is also a popular time for scammers to increase their criminal activity because they know individuals may be distracted. "One of the best ways customers can protect themselves is by learning how to recognize the latest scam tactics and reporting them to the appropriate authorities," said Carlos Ross, Manager of Security for Ameren. Uptick in utility scams Carlos Ross adds: "We often see an uptick in utility scams during the holiday season, when customers may be rushed, paying less attention to warning signs, or more concerned about finances. Scammers may call residential or business customers, threatening disconnection and demanding immediate payment, so it’s important to stay vigilant." Advantage of people Recently, a local business owner received a call, and he knew right away not to fall for the ploy. "I received a call from a man who said he was with Ameren, and he told me he would shut off my power within 20 minutes if I didn't call and make a payment," said Jerry Watson, Owner of Watson Funeral Home in Eldorado, Illinois. Jerry Watson adds, "He was very persistent and very pushy. I knew that I wasn't behind on my payments, so I didn't fall for it. It's very disheartening knowing there are people trying to take advantage of people, especially the elderly." Most Common Utility Scam Tactics Here are some tactics commonly used by scammers, especially during the busy holiday season: Scammers often create a sense of urgency, using language like 'pay now or they’ll be disconnected', or presenting special discount offers to reduce the utility bill if they pay a portion immediately. Scammers often pose as Ameren employees by using fake employee numbers or trying to mimic account information to legitimize their call. A sophisticated tactic includes masking incoming calls, so they appear to be from Ameren on caller ID systems and then giving a different phone number to make a payment. Be aware that scammers are creating fake search engine listings that include fraudulent customer service phone numbers for Ameren. They disguise themselves as company representatives to take payments or steal financial information. Customers should always go directly to Ameren.com to acquire legitimate contact numbers. A relatively new tactic is the promise to reduce the utility bill if they install solar panels on the house. Scammers are going door to door to pitch fake solar offers. Door Knocking Impostor: Door-to-door impostors pose as Ameren employees to request payment for an immediate service or installation. Social Media Charity Scam: Social media posts are telling customers that a charity will pay for their utility bills if the customer first makes a partial payment by money transfer. Scammers offer unusual suggestions for forms of payment: downloading a cash app, bitcoin, or locations of where to get cash cards. Keys to protecting themself Never give the credit card, debit card, social security, ATM, checking or savings account numbers to anyone who calls, sends a text message or email, or comes to the home requesting this information. Don't trust anyone asking for immediate payment. If they suspect someone is impersonating an Ameren employee, end the conversation and immediately call Ameren Illinois at 1.800.755.5000 or Ameren Missouri at 1.800.552.7583. Never purchase a prepaid card to avoid service disconnection or shutoff. Legitimate utility companies do not specify how customers should make a bill payment and always offer a variety of ways to pay a bill. Ameren customers can make payments online, by phone, by electronic check, by mail, or at in-person pay locations. For more information, visit Ameren.com/stop-scams. Customers should also follow Ameren on social media to receive the latest updates on scams. Sign up to manage the account online at Ameren.com where they can immediately check the status of the account.

Ameren Illinois customers served by the Marion Operating Center (OC) know that journeymen linemen - Jason Novak, Clayton Gulley and Austin Lewis are great at keeping the lights on in southern Illinois. The trio now has the distinction of being the best linemen in the world after finishing first overall at the 40th International Lineman’s Rodeo in Overland Park, Kansas, USA, Oct. 18-19, 2024. 40th International Lineman’s Rodeo The lineman's rodeo attracts the best linemen from around the world to compete in events The lineman's rodeo attracts the best linemen from around the world to compete in events based on traditional lineman tasks. Novak, Gulley and Lewis dominated with two second-place finishes to earn the best-of-the-best title at the competition. More than 255 journeymen teams and nearly 400 apprentices competed this year. “To win the title 'Best of the Best’ is an amazing feeling,” said Jason Novak, adding “We practiced hard, but it takes a special day to win it all against the most elite competitors in the world. We developed a game plan before each event, but anything can happen, and we adjusted on the fly. I couldn't be prouder of how my teammates performed and how the other Ameren competitors did as well.” Ameren Illinois excels in the pole climb event In the pole climb event, Ameren Illinois cleaned house. The trio of Jacob Carr (Beardstown OC), Patrick Rodgers (Champaign OC) and Teddy Brinkoetter (Decatur OC) finished first overall with a time of 1-minute-and-9.15 seconds. Novak, Gulley and Lewis were second with a time of 1- minute-and-20.11 seconds followed by the team of Blake Mette (Effingham OC), Jason Kenter (Mattoon OC) and Clint Dasenbrock (Effingham OC), who finished third with a time of 1-minute -and-26.25 seconds. Novak, Gulley and Lewis also finished second overall in the tie change-out event. Carr, Rodgers and Brinkoetter finished fourth in the cutout change-out event. Both are tasks linemen do on a routine basis. Ameren Illinois team performs exceptionally at the rodeo “Congratulations to the Ameren Illinois team who performed exceptionally well at the International Lineman's Rodeo,” said Luke Wollin, Vice President of Electric Operations for Ameren Illinois. Luke Wollin adds, “It was clear throughout the day that the four, three-journeyman teams and four apprentices from Illinois were performing at a very high level, but the results at the award ceremony that our teams achieved were extraordinary. It was exciting to close the award night by having an Illinois team win the top overall journeymen team, the most prestigious all-around award.” Clayton Tanner finishes first in hurtman rescue event Apprentice lineman - Clayton Tanner (Marion OC) finished first in the hurtman rescue event Apprentice lineman - Clayton Tanner (Marion OC) finished first in the hurtman rescue event and third in the pole climb with a time of 43.5 seconds. The hurtman rescue is a safety drill linemen perform annually. It is designed to showcase speed, while safely lowering a mannequin (representing a lineman who is unconscious) from the top of the utility pole. Apprentice linemen Cade Hoffman (Mt. Vernon OC) and Vincent Napolitano (Pioneer Park, Peoria OC) also crossed the stage with top five finishes. Hoffman was fifth in the obstacle course, while Napolitano was fifth in re-fusing a transformer event. Ultimate test of the linemen’s ability “The women and men who keep the lights on for our customers have demanding jobs that require skill, physical and mental strength,” said Lenny Singh, Chairman and President of Ameren Illinois. Lenny Singh adds, “The International Lineman’s Rodeo is the ultimate test of their ability to do this work safely, providing a quality product and leveraging their experience and training where speed becomes an advantage. I am so proud of our teams for demonstrating they are truly the best of the best.” This year, the Climbin' for Kids campaign raised more than $80,000 In addition to bringing home first-place hardware from the International Lineman's Rodeo, Novak and journeyman lineman Paul Koehler (LaSalle OC) have led an effort to use the competition to raise funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. This year, the Climbin' for Kids campaign raised more than $80,000. In four years, the lineman's rodeo has raised $240,000. Fundraising event for charity “It truly was a team effort in our fundraising,” said Jason Novak. He adds, “The vendors were generous with donating items, the linemen bought tons of raffle tickets, our kids helped sell those tickets, our wives took the money and wrote down names, and our teammates helped in the booth. Its line families helping families. That’s how we’re able to give 100% of the money raised to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. It was an amazing success for the fourth year in a row and I’m blessed to be part of it.”