20 utility professionals graduate from high-level leadership course

Twenty utility professionals recently earned their leadership certification as part of the LEAD Course, a workshop presented by MRES.

The LEAD Course stands for Leadership, Excellence and Development, and the course is a high-level leadership training that focuses on the critical skills, awareness and perspective that makes a difference in the success of a leader in the municipal utility industry. To earn the certification, graduates attended four separate two-day sessions throughout the year with coursework covering communication, collaboration, change, accountability, learning from failure and practicing leadership.

"Workforce development is a strategic priority for MRES and a top concern for our members," said Matt Schull, president and CEO of MRES. "Developing strong leaders within our member utilities is crucial to ensuring a reliable and resilient power supply for the communities we serve, and I want to congratulate this year's class for taking a significant step forward in their leadership journey."

Twenty utility professionals recently earned their leadership certification as part of the LEAD Course, a workshop presented by MRES.

Here are this year's LEAD Course graduates, listed by utility or member community:

• ALP Utilities: Brian Dahl, Water Distribution Manager
• Breckenridge Public Utilities: Corey Haugen, Public Works Supervisor
• Brookings Municipal Utilities: Ryan Thompson, Electric Maintenance Supervisor, and Todd VanderWal, Electric Construction Supervisor
• Hillsboro Municipal Utilities: Sara Myers, Deputy/Utilities Auditor, and Abby Hjelmstad, Administrative Assistant
• City of Luverne: Marissa Marr, Billing Clerk
• City of Madison: Val Halvorson, City Manager
• Moorhead Public Service: Mark Moilanen, Finance Director, and Marc Pritchard, Water Plant Manager
• City of Pierre: Robert Townley, Water Superintendent
• City of Valley City: Brenda Klein, Finance Director
• Willmar Municipal Utilities: Ed Zurn, Line Distribution Supervisor
• Worthington Public Utilities: Eric Roos, Utility Coordinator
• MRES: Ben Gentz, Government Relations Liaison; Pauline Roberts, Senior Accountant; Wade Sand, Energy Services Field Representative; JP Schumacher, Economist Supervisor; Jordan Unterbrunner, Rate Analyst I; and Darlene Weber-Scott, Energy Services Technical Specialist

For more information on the LEAD Course or any of the leadership development programs MRES offers, please contact MRES Vice President of Member Services and Communications Tim Blodgett at 605-338-4042 or [email protected].