| Posted in: News Releases

Tom Heller is pictured with Dave Osburn, APPA Awards Committee Chair and General Manager of Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority in Edmond, Oklahoma (L), and Tony Cannon, APPA Board of Directors Chair and General Manager/CEO of Greenville Utilities Commission in North Carolina (R).”

Thomas J. Heller, President Emeritus with Missouri River Energy Services, received the Alex Radin Distinguished Service Award during the American Public Power Association’s National Conference in Seattle, Washington. The award is the highest award granted by APPA. It recognizes exceptional leadership in and dedication to public power.

Tom's career in public power and involvement with APPA dates to 1977, when he began working as an engineer with Moorhead, Minnesota Public Service. He earned the title of General Manager in 1985 before transitioning to the role of President and Chief Executive Officer with MRES in 1992.

During his time with MRES, Tom exhibited exceptionally consistent leadership, as evidenced by 100% of MRES members renewing their power supply contracts four times during his tenure. Moreover, under Tom's leadership, the bond ratings for the Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency were upgraded from Aa3 to Aa2 with a stable outlook, recognizing its sound financial policies, consistently strong liquidity, and debt service coverage. Further, he has ensured future capacity and improved resource diversity by overseeing the development of the Red Rock Hydroelectric Project, which began operation in June 2021.

Tom has been consistently involved with APPA over the decades, attending and frequently presenting at conferences and meetings. He has served on Boards of Directors for APPA, the Electric Power Research Institute, the National Hydropower Organization, the Midwest Electric Consumers Association, and the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association, as well as APPA's CEO Climate Change and Generation Policy Task Force.