Former ALLETE Chairman, President and CEO Jack F. Rowe died Thursday, April 8, in Duluth following an extended illness. Rowe led the company through a period of significant growth in the 1980s, both within its core electric business and through several non-electric diversification ventures.
Rowe, 76, joined the company, then known as Minnesota Power & Light Company, in 1950. He was named president in 1974, president and CEO in 1978, and later served as chairman of the board. He retired from the company in 1989. Upon his retirement, Minnesota Power dedicated its electric system control center in his honor, renaming it the Jack F. Rowe Energy Control Center.
Rowe was born in Sabeka and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in electrical engineering. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary, a daughter and two grandchildren.
