SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — NorthWestern Corporation, parent company of HVAC services provider Blue Dot Services Inc., announced that Richard R. Hylland, president and chief operating officer, has resigned, effective at the end of business on April 30, 2003. Hylland remains a director of NorthWestern.

In connection with his resignation, Hylland reportedly asserted that there had been a fundamental change in connection with his employment under his employment agreement. NorthWestern stated that it disputes such assertion and that it will defend any related claims made by Hylland.

The company says that the process relating to the previously announced evaluation of Hylland's performance and conduct in connection with the management of the company and its subsidiaries by a special committee of NorthWestern's board of directors is continuing.