Steven Devinck Named ALLETE Controller

DULUTH, Minn.—ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE: ALE) today named Steven Q. DeVinck controller, responsible for all accounting and tax functions.

DeVinck, 46, joined ALLETE in 1997 as a financial analyst in the accounting department, and was named assistant controller in 1999. In 2004 DeVinck was named director of ALLETE's non-utility business development group. Prior to joining ALLETE, DeVinck was chief accountant for Enbridge Energy U.S. (formerly Lakehead Pipe Line Company).

"We are fortunate to have someone with Steve's extensive financial background and experience leading our accounting group," said Mark Schober, ALLETE senior vice president and chief financial officer. "He's also done an excellent job in evaluating potential business opportunities, which is an area of great strategic importance for ALLETE going forward."

A native of Superior, Wis., DeVinck holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. He is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants. DeVinck also serves on the Accounting Advisory Board of the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

ALLETE's corporate headquarters are located in Duluth, Minnesota. ALLETE provides energy services in the upper Midwest and has significant real estate holdings in Florida. More information about the company is available on ALLETE's Web site at www.allete.com.

The statements contained in this release and statements that ALLETE may make orally in connection with this release that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and investors are directed to the risks discussed in documents filed by ALLETE with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investor Contact:
Tim Thorp
218-723-3953
tthorp@allete.com