Summer Conference: Utility Leadership at the Speed of Change

This event is intended for municipal utility leaders, city leaders, commissioners, council members, mayors, affiliate members, and associate members.

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

7:15 am  Continental breakfast served (for registered attendees only)

8:00 am  Welcome, Scott Grabe, MMUA President and Karleen Kos, MMUA CEO

8:10 am  Opening Keynote
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"
Imagine embracing change with ease, confidence, and clarity, rather than the usual rush and confusion. The Empowered Change strategy, showcased in this inspiring keynote, equips participants with the tools to master the pace of change and achieve lasting success by providing a clear and positive roadmap for navigating each stage of transformation. 

9:45 am
Option 1: Roundtable discussions (select two from a list of topics to be announced)

Option 2: Focused networking sessions (select one)

• General managers and other utility leaders
• HR staff leaders
• Commissioners/council members

11:00 am  Federal and state legislative update, MMUA Government Relations Team

12:00 pm  Awards luncheon

1:30 pm  Sub-plenary content sessions (select A or B)
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 B: Planning and Executing Capital Projects, Ted Cash, ALP Utilities and Tom Wacholz and Pat Connolly, ORB Management Corporation

2:30 pm  Sub-plenary content sessions (select C or D)
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 D: Battery Energy Storage Systems for Utilities–Promise and Pitfalls, Victor Hoerst, OnSite Partners and Dave Krause, Electric Power Systems

3:45 pm  Sub-plenary content sessions (select E or F)
Session E: The New Tariffed Reality, Cody Faulk, Spencer Fane
This presentation will explore the growing challenges municipally owned utilities face in light of recently imposed federal tariffs on foreign goods—particularly those affecting key infrastructure materials like transformers, steel, aluminum, and solar components. These tariffs may disrupt supply chains, inflating project costs, and forcing many MOUs to reconsider capital planning and procurement strategies.  Attendees will gain insight into the broader economic implications of these trade policies and learn about practical, forward-looking strategies to mitigate their impact—including contracting strategies. This session is designed to equip utility leaders with tools and perspectives to navigate a rapidly shifting economic landscape while maintaining reliable, affordable public service.

Session F: Implementing Minnesota's Family Leave Act, Genevieve Frazier, Maguire Agency; and Evon Spangler, Spangler and de Stefano

5:00 pm  Trade Show and Reception

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)

1. Electric: Empowering the Grid: Unlocking Distributed Energy Solutions, Ryan Fedie, Nokomis Energy
2. Water and Wastewater: Biosolids and Land Application Rules: Analyzing for PFAS, Cory Schultz, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
3. Human Resources/Administration: Onboarding Excellence: Building a Workforce that Stays, Thrives, and Delivers, Lisa Ryan, CSP and Employee Engagement Professional
4. Leadership: Transforming Financial Statements into Actionable Insights for Executive Leaders and Commission, Dean Dalzell and Jerry Frick, All in One Accounting
5. Governance: Electricity 101: How it Works and How it Doesn't, Tim McCollough, Rochester Public Utilities

10:00 am  Learning tracks (select one)

1. Electric: Big Stuff Going On–Don't Let Your Rates Get Left Behind, Dave Berg, Dave Berg Consulting
   Many forces are impacting the electric utility industry.  They all have cost impacts which translate into rate impacts.  How will we navigate the changing cost and rate realities?
2. Water and Wastewater: Utility Rates and Trends for Water and Wastewater: Navigating the Future Together, Miranda Kleven, PE, AE2S
   This presentation will explore current water rates, rate structures, water use and common financial metrics for Minnesota systems based on the most recent data collected by AE2S for our Annual Rate Survey. The audience will gain an understanding of ways to monitor system financial health and how such data can be used to convey important information and support decision-making. The approach to this discussion will be comprehensive, touching on important topics such as: Rate-setting, Reserve Planning, Policy-making, and Communication. 
   
3. Human Resources/Administration: Current Workforce Trends in Minnesota's Municipal Utility Sector, Amanda Blaschko, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
4. 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
   Direct Pay is the process by which tax-exempt and government entities (including municipal utilities) can receive a tax credit cash refund for qualifying energy projects without paying taxes. This session will feature speakers from Deloitte and the Energy Resources Division of the Minnesota Department of Commerce that will discuss the process for pursuing Direct Pay, the impact of recent Federal changes on Direct Pay, and a sample of programs from the State of Minnesota that can be paired with Direct Pay-eligible projects to further lower costs for energy projects for Minnesota municipal utilities. 
5. 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 Professional
In 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

The Kahler Grand Hotel
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.

Cut-off date: July 27, 2025
Check-in: 4:00 pm      Check-out: 11:00 am

If your spouse or guest would like to attend the social events held during the Summer Conference, advanced ticket purchase is required. Select from the welcome reception, awards luncheon, or the trade show. Purchase all three for a discounted rate over individual tickets.

Advance registration is required. Click here for more details and to register for the golf tournament. 

The trail hike has been a popular option so we're doing it again. Join Mike Willetts for an invigorating walk through the beautiful Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester. Meet at parking lot 1 for a prompt 1:00 pm departure. Don't miss out on this chance to explore the trails with great company! Location: 701 Silver Creek Road NE, Rochester.

Join us for the highly anticipated trade show on Tuesday, August 19, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Vendor setup begins at 2:00 pm. Don't wait–this event fills up fast!

MMUA offers several exciting sponsorship opportunities to help you connect with our regular members and support municipal utilities. Choose to sponsor a speaker, a refreshment break, the welcome or trade show receptions, an ad in the program, or one of the many events at the golf tournament. Boost your visibility while contributing to a great cause!

Gold and silver annual sponsors, please contact Jen Williams to select items you wish to use for your sponsor credits.

Cancellations are subject to a $50 cancellation fee per person if received by 5:00 pm on August 1, 2025. Refunds issued to a credit card will be subject to a 3% fee. No refunds issued after August 1.

By registering for this event, I/we grant permission to the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA) to photograph me/us during the event and to use these images in MMUA's marketing materials including both electronic and print formats. I/we understand that no compensation will be provided for the use of these photographs and that this consent is given voluntarily.