PINEVILLE, La. – Cleco Corporation (NYSE: CNL) announced today the election of Vicky A. Bailey to its board of directors effective June 13, 2013. Since November 2005, Bailey serves as president of Anderson Stratton International, LLC, a strategic consulting and government relations company located in Washington, D.C.

Bailey has an extensive career in the energy sector as a commissioner with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, as a member of the Board of Trustees of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, and as president of PSI Energy, Inc., the Indiana electric utility subsidiary of Cinergy Corporation, which is now part of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK).

In addition, Bailey served as assistant secretary for the Office of Policy and International Affairs and was a partner with Johnston & Associates, LLC, a public relations firm in Washington, D.C.

“We are delighted to add Vicky Bailey to our board of directors. She brings tremendous experience in the regulatory arena along with broad energy and corporate board experience,” said Bruce A. Williamson, president and CEO of Cleco Corporation. “Her utility leadership background and her knowledge of public policy and corporate governance will be an asset as we develop and execute strategy.”

Bailey currently serves as a director of EQT Corporation, Inc. (NYSE: EQT), an integrated energy company, and Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE: LNG), a company primarily engaged in the liquefied natural gas-related business. She also serves as a director of Battelle Memorial Institute, a nonprofit research and development organization that serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries.

She received a Bachelor of Science in industrial management from Purdue University.