Technical & Operations Conference: Human Factors at the Speed of Change

1:00 pm  Welcome, Mike Willetts, MMUA

1:15 pm  Opening keynote: Safety, Leadership, Excellence, Jeff "Odie" Espenship
Jeff Espenship delivers a compelling, story-driven keynote that challenges you to take personal ownership of safety and leadership culture. Drawing on his background as a former US Air Force A-10 fighter pilot, international airline captain, and founder of Target Leadership, Jeff illustrates how human behavior, decision-making, and leadership directly influence outcomes in high-risk environments.

2:15 pm  Small City Initiative Project, Mike Willetts, MMUA
MMUA’s Small City Initiative is a strategic effort to strengthen Minnesota’s small municipal utilities by pairing them with skilled lineworkers/apprentices using a mutual aid model that fosters both resilience and workforce development. Through this initiative, apprentices gain hands-on experience across a wide range of real-world utility projects, from system maintenance and upgrades to emergency response, while small communities benefit from much-needed support and technical expertise. By embedding training within a collaborative, mutual aid framework, the project not only builds local capacity but also cultivates the next generation of utility professionals equipped to serve with confidence, adaptability, and a deep understanding of public power values.

3:30 pm  Apprentice program: A full review of the program, Mike Willetts, Cody Raveling, and Roger Avelsgard, MMUA

4:45 - 6:00 pm  Welcome reception and apprentice lineworker recognitions, Bill Bosch, Northwest Lineman College; Mike Willetts and Cody Raveling, MMUA

8:30 am  CEO minute, Karleen Kos, MMUA

8:45 am  High-stakes teamwork, Drew Moldenhauer, Blue Ethos Specialized Training/Author/Keynote Speaker/Professor
In a time when division and uncertainty dominate the national conversation, the importance of building high-stakes teamwork in the workplace has never been more crucial. Leaders and team members alike must rise to the occasion, fostering an atmosphere where trust, understanding, and care are the cornerstones of their interactions. This presentation will explore how caring about people in the workplace is the number one prevention of workplace violence, how it promotes psychological safety, and how leaders can actively show their teams that they care.

9:45 am  Grant Project Update: MMUA's statewide grid resilience tabletops, Mike Willetts, MMUA

MMUA’s statewide grid resilience tabletop series will bring together Minnesota’s investor-owned utilities, rural electric cooperatives, and the MMUA membership in a unified effort to strengthen grid reliability and citywide emergency preparedness. Hosted at six strategic locations across the state, these interactive tabletop exercises will foster cross-sector collaboration, scenario-based learning, and shared best practices for responding to evolving threats—from extreme weather to cyber incidents. By aligning public and private utility partners in a common framework, MMUA is helping build a more resilient, responsive, and coordinated energy city government landscape for all Minnesotans.

10:45 am  Roundtable discussions (select two)

1. LMCIT O&M incentive program updates: New 2026 requirements for generation plant insurance credits, Julie Jelen, League of Minnesota Cities and Jeff Fassett, IEM/CEIS
2. MMUA's On Site On Demand program offerings, Dan Nath, MMUA
3. HR changes for 2026, Amy Karbo, Marshall Municipal Utilities
4. Minnesota OSHA safety grant opportunities, Clayton Handt, MN OSHA Consultation Supervisor
5. Lead service line inventory, lead and copper rule improvements, funding availability, Hannah Mendez, MN Dept. of Health
6. MMUA's leadership development program, Shelly Dau, MMUA
7. Legislative update, Kent Sulem, MMUA
8. Unexpected visits by OSHA: What to expect, Kyle Van Lent, MN OSHA
9. PCB regulatory review, Josh Burman, MN Pollution Control Agency
   
10. Metering services and supply chain update, Chad Backes, Irby
11. MMUA's Drug and Alcohol Testing Consortium, Joe Schmidt, MMUA

12:00 pm  Luncheon

1:00 pm  Learning tracks (select one)
MANAGERS: Cybersecurity essentials for electrical utilities, Christopher Watkins, MN Dept. of Commerce
In this fast-paced, one-hour session, utility professionals will explore the critical cybersecurity threats facing today’s power grid and learn practical strategies to defend against them. Through real-world scenarios and interactive discussions, participants will gain a clear understanding of how to identify vulnerabilities, respond to incidents, and align with industry standards like NERC CIP. Whether you're in operations, IT, or safety, this class equips you with the tools to help safeguard your utility’s infrastructure from evolving digital threats.

CREW LEASERS/FRONT-LINE SUPERVISORS: Directional drilling pre-plan considerations, Jeff Goldsberry and Kevin Kollos, Ditch Witch
Preparation before travel to the job site is as important as the bore itself.

WATER/WASTEWATER: Water and Wastewater Regionalization 101, Frank Stuemke and Stephen Slick, AE2S

As costs continue to rise, operators become harder to recruit and retain, and aging infrastructure exceeds its useful life, regionalization with neighboring entities offers a cost-effective path to maintaining safe, clean, and affordable water systems. This presentation will highlight the background of regionalization, provide an overview of its benefits, and share real-world success stories from communities that have implemented regional approaches.

2:00 pm  Learning tracks (select one)
MANAGERS: Data centers: Dos and don'ts, community opposition, load control, center functions, Dave Meyer, Glencoe Light & Power and Tim Stoner, Blue Earth Light and Water
With the advent of more data centers being built throughout the nation, many communities and utilities are questioning what the potential impacts are. This will be an opportunity to hear from a panel regarding their experience with adding data centers to their communities. Discussion will focus on utility impact, power needs, and community support or opposition.

CREW LEADERS/FRONT-LINE SUPERVISORS: GIS locating regulations, Michael Mendiola, MN Office of Pipeline Safety
The new Geospatial Utility Mapping law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026. Is your organization prepared? The law requires utility operators and owners to use geospatial location information or an equivalent technology to develop as-built drawings of newly installed or newly abandoned facilities if exposed in the excavation area. If you had fewer than 10,000 customers in calendar year 2025, this law is effective Jan. 1, 2027. Other One Call laws that went into effect on Aug. 1, 2024, will also be covered.

WATER/WASTEWATER: Chlorine safety: leaks, responsibilities, and respiratory protection, Jim Bruender, MMUA
Chlorine safety is a big part of the water and wastewater systems used throughout the MMUA footprint. Keeping your employees safe while managing chlorine should always be in the forefront of our minds. This session will review safety practices that can be implemented while installing regulators including possible respiratory protection equipment to keep you safe.

3:15 pm Learning tracks (select one)
MANAGERS: Substation basic features: The importance of testing and maintenance, Dave Krause, Electric Power Systems
This session will touch on basic substation features as well as looking at substation testing and maintenance requirements. Subject experts will be presenting on why it's important to do these things, and addressing Q and A.

CREW LEADERS/FRONT-LINE SUPERVISORS: SKYWARN® and weather spotting, Todd Krause, National Weather Service
Weather spotting basics and safety for inclement weather, from the National Weather Service.

WATER/WASTEWATER: Why MnWARN, Timothy Hewett, MnWARN Chair and Director
Discussion on what MnWARN is and how it works, inventory available, and how you get their services.

4:15 pm  Learning tracks (select one)
MANAGERS: Inside an LMCIT loss control visit: What to expect and why it matters, Julie Jelen and Marc Dunker, League of Minnesota Cities
This session offers a clear overview of what takes place during an LMCIT loss control visit, how topics are chosen, why we review your recent losses and experience mod rate, and what happens after the visit. Ideal for leaders seeking to understand the goals, structure, and value of loss control visits in strengthening risk management.

CREW LEADERS/FRONT-LINE SUPERVISORS: Competitions: Benefits of participating personally and professionally, Tony Mead, Marshall Municipal Utilities; Mike Enright, Owatonna Public Utilities; Brad Carlson, Shakopee Public Utilities; Angela Hauge and Katy Olson, Elk River Municipal Utilities
A panel discussion regarding the value of participating in the Minnesota and APPA rodeo competitions and the AWWA Hydrant Hysteria National Competition.

WATER/WASTEWATER: Securing our water sources, Jason Overby, Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water System
Jason will give a quick overview of the rural water systems in Minnesota, differentiating between the rural and city systems and identifying similarities. Discussion will lean into resources, security, contaminants, governmental control, and infrastructure impacts. A water main break in a town may affect 200 users in five city blocks. A rural main break may affect 200 users in 50 square miles.

5:00 - 7:00 pm  Trade Show and Reception

8:30 am  The road to self-care: Mental health, fatigue, and driving, Lisa Kons, Minnesota Safety Council
Our emotions affect the way we drive. When experiencing strong emotional agitation, increases the likelihood of being involved in a crash. This session will review how sleep and taking time for your mental health can help keep you and your employees safe on the road.

9:45 am  Closing keynote: The safety journey of an arc flash survivor, Rodney Walker, Walk Safely Training Group
In 1996, Rodney Walker was severely injured in an electric flash. He suffered first-, second- and third-degree burns to his head, face, neck, and arm and sustaining internal injuries. His accident and journey to recovery is a compelling story that inspires, educates, and empowers his audience to understand human performance, recognize hazards, and strive to create a safe, injury-free work environment. Walker is a 27-year employee of one of the largest utilities in the country. He will give his detailed testimony of high voltage arc flash, including discussion of his injuries, treatment, and recovery. During his thought-provoking introspective, he will identify incident pre-cursors and address the importance of remaining diligent against complacency and strengthening the safety culture in the workplace.

12:00 pm  Conference concludes

If your spouse or guest would like to attend the social events held during the T & O Conference, advanced ticket purchase is required. Select from the welcome reception on Tuesday or the trade show on Wednesday.

The trade show will be held on Wednesday, December 10, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Separate registration is required for vendors to exhibit. Details can be found at this link.

By registering for this event, I/we authorize Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA) to photograph me at this event and use such photographs in MMUA marketing materials (both electronic and print). I/we understand that I/we will not be paid for giving this consent.

Cancellations are subject to a $50 cancellation fee per person if received by 5:00 pm on November 24, 2025. Refunds issued to a credit card will be subject to a 3% fee. No refunds issued after November 24.