Avista Names Kevin Christie Vice President for Customer Solutions

SPOKANE, WA--(Marketwired - February 09, 2015) - Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA) today announced that Kevin Christie has been named as vice president for customer solutions. He will retain his current responsibilities in the areas of external communications, community outreach and philanthropy, as well as customer energy efficiency and conservation activities, and new products and services.

Christie has been with Avista for nearly 10 years, holding leadership positions in natural gas planning, natural gas supply, finance, and most recently as senior director of customer solutions. Christie also played a key role during Avista's 2013-2014 acquisition of Alaska Energy and Resources Company and its subsidiary, Alaska Electric Light and Power Company.

"Kevin's strong leadership, business acumen and work ethic will greatly benefit Avista and its customers. His depth of experience at the company will serve him well as he continues to lead our customer solutions group," said Avista Corp. Senior Vice President and Avista Utilities President Dennis Vermillion. "He will be a valuable addition to our executive team."

Christie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with an accounting emphasis from Washington State University. In addition, he completed the Utility Executive Course at the University of Idaho and the Finance for Senior Executives program at Harvard Business School.

Christie serves on the board of directors for the Northwest Gas Association, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, the Providence Health Care Foundation of Eastern Washington and the Avista Foundation.

Prior to joining Avista, he worked for Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN), where he served as the director of Pipeline Marketing and Development, and as the director of Pricing and Business Analysis.

In addition, Christie has held positions in finance, business analysis, regulatory affairs and revenue accounting for PG&E Corporation, Pacific Gas Transmission Company and Chevron USA.

About Avista
Avista Corp., incorporated in 1889 and based in Spokane, Wash., is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is the operating division that provides electric service to 368,000 customers and natural gas to 325,000 customers. Its service territory covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.5 million. Alaska Energy and Resources Company is an Avista subsidiary that provides retail electric service in the city and borough of Juneau, Alaska, through its subsidiary Alaska Electric Light and Power Company. Avista stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "AVA." For more information about Avista, please visit www.avistacorp.com.

Avista Corp. and the Avista logo are trademarks of Avista Corporation.

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