Gale Klappa took his bachelor’s degree in mass communications from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s College of Letters & Science and entered the public utility industry. He has more than 40 years of experience in that field, with more than 25 years at the senior executive level. He is executive chairman of WEC Energy Group, one of the nation’s premier energy companies, serving 4.7 million electric and natural gas customers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota. In 2011, UWM honored him with an honorary doctorate in commercial science for his career accomplishments, his service to UWM and his leadership role in Milwaukee 7, an organization created to attract, retain and expand businesses in southeastern Wisconsin.
Klappa received the UWM Lifetime Achievement Award from the UWM Alumni Association in 2024. This award is reserved for exceptional alumni who have had extraordinary success in their professional achievement; community involvement; advancement of UWM’s mission; giving back of time, talent and treasure; and encouraging and inspiring future leaders.
