| Posted in: Public Power Champions
Several MRES members received various awards at the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association's (MMUA) Summer Conference.
Detroit Lakes (Minn.) Public Utilities won the Systems Innovation Award for constructing its community solar project, "Select Solar." This award is given to a utility that has demonstrated leadership and innovation in customer service, energy efficiency or renewables, technology, and other areas. Detroit Lakes won for constructing its community solar project, “Select Solar."
MMUA delegates also unanimously voted for Vernell Roberts, general manager of Detroit Lakes Public Utilities, as the new president-elect for MMUA. Roberts also serves on the boards of the Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (WMMPA) and MRES.
Former MRES board member Al Crowser won the Honorary Lifetime Membership Award. This MMUA award symbolizes a long professional life dedicated not only to the advancement of municipal utilities locally, but also for the betterment of the industry on a statewide basis. Crowser joined Alexandria Light and Power (ALP) in 1987 and became ALP's general manager in 1994 and served until his retirement earlier this year.
Finally, Dave Kietzman of Pierre, S.D., won a Community Service Award. Kietzman has worked for the city of Pierre since 1975 and has shown dedication, leadership, mentoring, and safety-driven hard work during his tenure. He also worked to construct miles of underground conductors, resulting in Pierre being 100 percent underground as a distribution system.
