MMUA Bestows Annual Awards

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MMUA Bestows Annual Awards

August 22, 2016

A number of individuals, and one member utility, were honored with awards, presented Aug. 16 at the MMUA Annual Conference banquet, at Cragun's Resort.

Three long-time leaders in the industry were recognized with MMUA Honorary Lifetime Membership Awards. Those honored were East Grand Forks Water & Light General Manager Dan Boyce, Anoka Municipal Utility Director Dan Voss, and Centennial Utilities/City of Circle Pines Administrator Jim Keinath. (A fourth award was given April 2 at the APPA Lineworkers Rodeo banquet, to Marv Athmann of Shakopee Public Utilities.)

Public service awards, for their work on recent legislation helpful to municipal utilities, were given to state Reps. Dave Baker and Deb Kiel, and state Sen. Dan Sparks.

Distinguished service awards were given to Owatonna Public Utilities General Manager Mark Fritsch, for his work on the MMUA Executive Leadership training program. Also receiving awards, for their work on the Lineworkers Rodeo, were MMUA staffers Rita Kelly and Mike Willetts.

The System Innovation Award went to Moorhead Public Utilities, for its ‘Capture the Sun®’ program. The award was accepted by General Manager Bill Schwandt.

Community service awards, for a long career of outstanding local service, went to Grand Rapids Public Utilities Commission General Manager Tony Ward, Willmar Municipal Utilities General Manager Wes Hompe, and Detroit Lakes Public Utility Commissioner (and long-time city councilor/mayor) Larry Bubolz.

Blue Earth Light & Water General Manager Tim Stoner was named an MMUA ‘Rising Star.’

MMUA employee service recognition went to Rita Kelly (30 years), Mike Willetts (20 years) and Bill Black (10 years).

For a look at the slideshow accompanying the awards program, click here.

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