Electric utility Westar Energy, Inc. Friday announced a realignment to address strategic imperatives, including stringent environmental mandates. The company announced the promotion of two officers effective August 1, expected to bring key functions together improving effectiveness and productivity.<br /><br />Tony Somma will become senior vice president and chief financial officer. Somma, who has served as treasurer since 2006, will retain that position, consolidating the two roles.<br /><br />Mark Ruelle, who assumes the position of president and chief executive officer August 1, said," Combining the CFO and treasurer positions streamlines and simplifies our organization and makes us more efficient."<br /><br />In the second promotion, Greg Greenwood would become senior vice president, strategy. Greenwood, who has served as vice president, major construction projects, since 2006, will lead the strategic imperatives organization, which will comprise regulatory, environmental services and major construction.<br /><br />Ruelle said Westar has to navigate the changing environmental regulations, identify and execute the most cost-effective means to comply and work with regulators to recognize the associated costs.<br /><br /> <br />Somma joined Westar Energy in 1994 in corporate development, later working with Protection One as chief financial officer and senior vice president, finance. He returned to Westar as executive director financial and strategic planning, generation and marketing. In 2006 he was named treasurer and, in 2009, vice president, treasurer.<br /><br />Greenwood has held various financial roles with Westar Energy since he joined the company as a staff accountant in 1993. Before being named vice president, major construction projects in 2006, he was treasurer.