Patrick E. Smith

Patrick E. Smith, Sr. is chairman and president of Ameren Illinois, where he is responsible for energy delivery to more than 1.2 million electric and more than 800,000 natural gas customers encompassing 1,200 communities across 43,700 square miles. Smith was promoted to Illinois’ top position on Jan. 1, 2026.

Smith has been with the company more than 40 years. In his previous role, as senior vice president of Operations and Technical Services, he was responsible for the oversight and support of all electric and natural gas field operations; including subtransmission and distribution maintenance, engineering design, safety and training, reliability planning, dispatch operations, electrical and natural gas emergency response, and construction services for Ameren Illinois.

He has held various leadership positions in several areas including vice president of Economic, Community and Business Development, and vice president, Division Operations for Ameren Missouri. He joined Union Electric, now Ameren Missouri, in 1985 as a meter reader, and soon after completed a 4-year apprenticeship, leading to his promotion to journey Lineworker. Since then, Smith has worked in progressively responsible leadership roles.

Smith is a native of East St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial and organizational psychology and an Executive MBA from Washington University. He is active in the community and passionate about youth sports. He sits on the board of the United Way of Greater St. Louis, and serves on various other committees, including the American Cancer Society’s Coaches vs. Cancer efforts.