MERRILLVILLE, Ind., - Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), a subsidiary of NiSource Inc., announces today the election of David J. Vajda to Vice President, Finance for NIPSCO. In his new capacity, Vajda will be responsible for all financial matters and business management for NIPSCO, NiSource Inc.'s principal gas and electric utility subsidiary.

Vajda joined NIPSCO as an accountant in 1977 and has previously held several positions with NIPSCO, including: Chief Accountant, Director of Accounting, General Auditor and, most recently, Controller. Vajda's academic degrees include a master's degree from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a bachelor's degree in finance and accounting from Ball State University.

Vajda is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the Indiana CPA Society. In addition, he serves on the Rate and Strategic Planning Committee of the American Gas Association (AGA) and the Accounting Standards Committee of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI). Locally, he serves as Chairman of the Finance Committee for the Lake Area United Way and is a member of the Finance Committee for St. Mary's Medical Center in Crown Point, Ind.

Vajda, and his wife, Gay, reside in Schererville, Ind., and are the parents of two children.

NiSource Inc. is an energy holding company whose primary business is the distribution of electricity, natural gas and water in the Midwest and Northeast United States. NIPSCO, a subsidiary of NiSource Inc., is a regulated public utility operating company providing natural gas service to nearly 700,000 customers and electric service to 416,000 customers across the northern third of Indiana. NIPSCO is the largest natural gas distribution company and the second largest electric distribution company in the state of Indiana. Information about NiSource Inc. and its subsidiaries is available via the Internet at www.nisource.com.