CMS Energy Corporation today announced the appointment of Thomas J. Webb as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective August 5, 2002. Mr. Webb succeeds Alan M. Wright, who is leaving CMS Energy August 16 to join another company outside the energy industry.<br />The announcement was made by Ken Whipple, CMS Energy chairman and chief executive officer, to whom Mr. Webb will report. "Tom Webb's extensive experience and proven leadership in corporate finance will make a significant contribution as we continue to improve the financial health of CMS Energy and implement our back-to-basics strategy of growth in North America," said Whipple. "I would like to thank Al Wright for his years of service to CMS Energy and wish him the best of success in his new endeavors."<br /><br />Most recently, Mr. Webb, 49, had been executive vice president and chief financial officer of Kellogg Company. He was vice president and chief financial officer of Visteon from 1996 to 1999. He began his career at Ford Motor Co. in 1977, holding increasingly responsible finance, management and supervisory responsibilities for Ford Motor Co. and Ford of Europe. Mr. Webb earned a master of business administration degree in finance and a bachelor of science degree, both from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.<br /><br />Mr. Wright, 57, joined CMS Energy's principal subsidiary, Consumers Energy, as vice president of finance and treasurer in May of 1991. He became senior vice president and chief financial officer of CMS Energy and Consumers in December 1991, and executive vice president, chief financial officer and chief administrative officer in December 2000.<br /><br />CMS Energy Corporation is an integrated energy company, which has as its primary business operations an electric and natural gas utility, natural gas pipeline systems, independent power generation, oil and gas exploration and production, and energy marketing, services and trading.