Summer Conference: Utility Leadership at the Speed of Change

MMUA's Summer Conference is an opportunity for networking, educational programs, and social time for municipal utility leaders from around the state. For the first time, the 2025 conference will be held in Rochester, Minnesota.
Our extensive program offers something for everyone, with engaging sessions and activities throughout the conference. Kickstart your experience with one of three newly added pre-conference workshops on Monday morning. Afterward, enjoy a round at the golf tournament or explore scenic trails on a guided hike. Your registration also includes access to the awards luncheon and a walk through the trade show, providing valuable networking and discovery opportunities.
Click on the headings below for more details and instructions on how to register.
We hope to see you in August!
Monday, August 18 8:00 am to 11:30 am
Select from three topics. Separate registration is required.
OPTION 1:
AI and Municipal Utilities
Brian Lindamood, Questline; Tim McCollough, Rochester Public Utilities; Brian Taylor, CDE Lightband
AI is all the buzz…but for utilities that have limited staff and acumen in this area, it can seem daunting to even figure out how to get started without exposing the utility to risk. Some practical applications of AI for utilities include help with demand forecasting, anomaly detection in water and power usage, predictive maintenance of equipment, customer service automation, energy theft detection, and personalized energy usage recommendations. Hear from fellow public power utilities from around the country on how they are using AI-driven programs and machine learning to optimize operations, reduce costs, and improve customer service.
OPTION 2:
Tour of Rochester Public Utilities sites
Mike Willetts, MMUA
Join MMUA members on an informative tour of some of Rochester Public Utilities' most interesting facilities. We'll stop at their modern Service Center where you'll see RPU's headquarters, the West Side Energy Station, a new 45 MW natural gas-fired power plant, and the Government Center where we'll see the closed loop heat exchanger geothermal system. This tour is free, but there is a small fee to offset the cost of the buses.
8:00 am Pre-conference workshops (separate registration required)
11:30 am Golf tournament buffet lunch (included with tournament registration)
1:00 pm Golf tournament (shot-gun start; separate registration required)
1:00 pm Trail hike
6:30 pm Welcome Reception on the Plaza
Future Proof–Navigating Change with Confidence and Excitement, Dr. Mark DeVolder, international change management expert and author of "Perpetual Pivot: How the Best Leaders Adapt to Exponential Change"

Option 1: Roundtable discussions (select two from a list of topics to be announced)
- General managers and other utility leaders
- HR staff leaders
- Commissioners/council members
Session A: Leveraging the eSafety Tracker to enhance your safety culture, Greg Labbé, APPA Senior Operations Safety Specialist
The eSafety Tracker is a versatile system that can be adapted for use by large and small utilities to enhance their job training and safety programs. Designed by public power safety professionals, it includes tools for managing tailgate meetings, safety meetings, and all incident types for each of your utilities, streamlining processes and reporting. This session will focus on how to use the reporting and tracking system in a utility like yours. It will cover features such as automatically created graphs and charts, the mobile app, and the additional accessible tools that will help you strengthen your safety culture.
Session C: Leadership at the Intersection of Operations and the Utility Customer, Mike Smith, Utility 2030; Luke Peterson, Hibbing Public Utilities; and Sylvia Davis, City of Topeka
Session E: The New Tariffed Reality, Cody Faulk, Spencer Fane
7:15 am Continental breakfast served (for registered attendees only)
8:00 am Business meeting and MMUA update
9:00 am Learning tracks (select one)
- Electric: Empowering the Grid: Unlocking Distributed Energy Solutions, Ryan Fedie, Nokomis Energy
- Water and Wastewater: Biosolids and Land Application Rules: Analyzing for PFAS, Cory Schultz, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Human Resources/Administration: Onboarding Excellence: Building a Workforce that Stays, Thrives, and Delivers, Lisa Ryan, CSP and Employee Engagement Professional
- Leadership: Transforming Financial Statements into Actionable Insights for Executive Leaders and Commission, Dean Dalzell, All in One Accounting
- Governance: Electricity 101: How it Works and How it Doesn't, Tim McCollough, Rochester Public Utilities
10:00 am Learning tracks (select one)
- Electric: Big Stuff Going On–Don't Let Your Rates Get Left Behind, Dave Berg, Dave Berg Consulting
- Water and Wastewater: Utility Rates and Trends for Water and Wastewater: Navigating the Future Together, Miranda K. Kleven, AE2S
- Human Resources/Administration: Current Workforce Trends in Minnesota's Municipal Utility Sector, Amanda Blaschko, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
- Leadership: Direct Pay Tax Credits: Funding Opportunities for Municipal Utilities, Lori Brown and LIssa Pawlisch, MN Department of Commerce; Elise Kelly and Bryant Katta, Deloitte
- Governance: Governance Fundamentals in a Changing World, Kaela Brennan, Spencer Fane
11:00 am Closing Keynote
Generating Engagement–Strategies to Keep Your Top Talent from Becoming Someone Else's, Lisa Ryan, CSP and Employee Engagement ProfessionalIn an era where technological advancements and environmental concerns are transforming the utility industry, attracting and nurturing top talent has never been more critical. This keynote will take you on an empowering journey to significantly boost employee engagement. You'll discover effective strategies to create a workplace where your top talent not only thrives but feels deeply valued and essential.
12:15 pm Conference Concludes
20 SW 2nd Avenue
Rochester, MN 55902
Phone: 800-533-1655
Reservations can be made online using our special link. MMUA's room block rate is $159 per night. We suggest you make your reservations as soon as possible as availability cannot be guaranteed.
Check-in: 4:00 pm Check-out: 11:00 am
Credits | Price | |
---|---|---|
Full conference
*Does not include exhibit. |
8.50 (Professional Development Hours) | $610.00 |
Credits | Price | |
---|---|---|
AI for Utilities pre-conference workshop
|
3.50 (Professional Development Hours) | $185.00 |
AI for Utilities pre-conference workshop only
|
3.50 (Professional Development Hours) | $240.00 |
Credits | Price | |
---|---|---|
Tour of Rochester Public Utilities (members)
|
$20.00 |
Credits | Price | |
---|---|---|
Trail hike
|
FREE |
Credits | Price | |
---|---|---|
Social event package for spouse/guest
|
$130.00 | |
Welcome reception
|
$50.00 | |
Awards luncheon
|
$50.00 | |
Trade show reception
|
$50.00 |
Lodging
20 SW 2nd Avenue
Rochester, MN 55902
Phone: 800-533-1655
Cut-off date: August 3, 2025
Check-in: 4:00 pm
Check-out: 11:00 am
For More Information:
