CANONSBURG — Mark Kempic has been named president and chief operating officer of Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and Columbia Gas of Maryland, effective Sept. 1.

This move follows the recent announcement that Mike Huwar will be departing the company for other opportunities.

Kempic has nearly 40 years with the company and has held roles of increasing responsibility in the customer, engineering, legal and regulatory organizations. He previously served as president of Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and Maryland before taking on the role of NiSource chief transformation officer in 2017. Most recently, Kempic served as president and chief operating officer of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts.

Kempic holds a bachelor’s degree in computer and information science from the University of Pittsburgh and an associate engineering degree in solar heating and cooling from the Pennsylvania State University. In 1991, he earned his Juris Doctor from Capital University School of Law. Kempic has been licensed to practice law in four states: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Massachusetts.

Kempic is a native of Uniontown and currently resides in Pittsburgh.