On March 11, 2018, Mark A. Ruelle notified the Board of Directors of Houston Wire & Cable Company of his request to withdraw from consideration as a nominee for re-election to the board at the Company’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Mr. Ruelle cited the growing demands of his current role as President and CEO of Westar Energy Inc. and the expected demands of his role as non-executive Chairman of the holding company that will be formed upon completion of the pending merger between Great Plains Energy Incorporated and Westar Energy Inc. Mr. Ruelle will continue to serve as a director of the Company for the balance of his current term, which expires at the Annual Meeting in May 2018.