Ameren Illinois has promoted Luke Wollin to senior vice president of operations and technical services, recognizing his leadership and decades-long commitment to advancing the company’s energy delivery systems. He officially started his new role on Jan. 1, 2026.
Wollin’s journey to second in command at Ameren Illinois began on a farm near Kinmundy, where he grew up largely unaware of the complexities of the electric and natural gas industry. “I’d say I was mostly oblivious to utilities growing up,” Wollin recalled. “We had a co-op that served us, and I remember the impact of long outages—especially during an ice storm when we were without power for a week. Waiting for the lights to come back on left an impression.”
Sports were central to Wollin’s early life. At Salem High School, he competed in football, basketball, and tennis, forging friendships that remain strong today. “Sports have always been a big part of my life,” he said. “Now I coach my kids in basketball, and I really enjoy that.”
While athletics shaped his high school years, academics guided his college choice. Wollin attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) to pursue an electrical engineering degree, influenced by a memorable basketball camp on campus. “We stayed in the dorms, ate at the university center, and played ball. That experience really stuck with me,” he said.
At SIUE, Wollin witnessed the growth of the engineering program firsthand, eventually taking senior design classes in a brand-new, state-of-the-art building. Today, he remains connected to the university as a member of its Electrical Engineering Advisory Board.
His interest in engineering was rooted in farm life and a love of math and science. “Growing up, my dad and I were always fixing equipment and doing carpentry work,” Wollin said. Initially drawn to computer and networking engineering during the tech boom of the late 1990s, he ultimately focused on power systems—a decision that set the stage for his career in the utility industry.
Before graduating, Wollin interned at Tri-County Electric Cooperative in Mt. Vernon, where he worked alongside linemen and discovered his passion for power systems. “It’s a service-oriented industry, and the stability of the job market was appealing,” he said.
After college, Wollin spent two years with Sachs Electric, an electrical contractor in St. Louis. One of his first projects involved Ameren’s energy centers, giving him a glimpse into the company’s culture. “I remember thinking, one day that’s where I’d really like to work,” Wollin said. Those connections eventually helped him land his first role in substation engineering at Ameren.
Wollin’s career at Ameren began with a deep fascination for the technical side of the energy business. “When I joined the company, I got to learn some of the equipment, which I thought was really interesting—understanding the internals of a transformer and how that works,” Wollin recalled. Early on, he immersed himself in high-voltage projects, including designing new substations. “I’ll never forget my first substation design. Driving down to the job site and seeing the designs come to life—it was so memorable and so impactful.”
After eight years in engineering, Wollin decided to position himself for leadership. He earned his MBA from Washington University in St. Louis while working full-time and obtained his professional engineer’s license. Around 2010, the industry shifted toward renewable generation, creating a surge in transmission needs. Ameren was awarded a significant portion of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s (MISO) multi-value projects—billions in needed transmission investment. “That was a game changer,” Wollin said. He was one of Ameren Transmission’s first employees, moving into project management and after a few years was leading a team of project managers.
His career continued to evolve with roles as director of transmission engineering, head of the transmission operations center, and vice president of transmission. Each step broadened his perspective and honed his leadership skills. “Leading an organization where I didn’t know the work as well taught me how to listen, understand issues, and support coworkers to do our best work,” he explained.
Two years ago, Wollin transitioned to Ameren Illinois as vice president of electric operations—a role that brought him closer to customers and communities. “It’s been a great experience. I’ve learned a lot and really enjoy working with an incredible team.”
When asked what makes him relatable as a leader, Wollin emphasized relationships and listening. “I’ll always believe that everybody in the company has an extremely important role and is making a huge impact. I try to treat everyone that way and understand their issues. Being a good listener is one of my strengths.”
As newly appointed senior vice president of operations and technical services, Wollin will oversee Ameren Illinois’ efforts to modernize its electric and natural gas infrastructure, improve reliability, and enhance customer service. His promotion underscores the company’s commitment to leadership that understands both the technical and human sides of energy delivery.
