Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) welcomed members, community leaders and industry partners to its 2026 Annual Meeting May 6-7 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. The meeting centered on the theme Connected by Purpose; a reflection of the shared mission that continues to guide
public power.
President and CEO Matt Schull opened the meeting by recognizing the people behind that mission. “Public power only works because of the people in this room,” he said.
His remarks set the tone for a meeting focused on navigating change — balancing reliability, affordability and growth while adapting to evolving industry demands. Board Chair Vernell Roberts later reinforced that message while highlighting the incredible accomplishments of MRES staff and the membership.
“The strength of MRES is in us — the membership,” Roberts said. “And in our ability to work together.”
Throughout the meeting, sessions explored the challenges and opportunities ahead for public power. A panel on the power of joint action and shared purpose, moderated by Roberts, featured Chris Lawrence, executive director of Mid-West Electric Consumers Association, and Gayle Nansel, senior leader with Western Area Power Administration, who emphasized the importance of collaboration in an increasingly complex energy environment.
“A unified voice matters. ... When we’re talking and collaborating it helps us understand why we’re doing what we’re doing,” Nansel said.
Additional sessions addressed key topics such as securing power supply for the next generation, turning purpose into policy and understanding the public power customer of the future.
Across discussions, a consistent message emerged: while the industry is evolving, the core values of public power remain strong.
“Public power has always been about connection. Connection to our communities. Connection to each other. And connection to something bigger than ourselves. That hasn’t changed."
—Matt Schull, MRES president and CEO
A key topic of the meeting focused on the future of MRES’ long-term member power sale agreements, known as the S-1 Agreements. Schull and MRES General Counsel Dan Harmelink outlined the importance of these agreements, which support long-term planning, financing and system reliability. The proposed extension would maintain a rolling 40-year term, helping ensure continued stability and competitive wholesale rates.
Members also heard insights from GreatBlue Research CEO Michael Vigeant, who shared about recent residential customer satisfaction studies MRES conducted with participating utilities. The study provided a clearer understanding of customer priorities for those members, including reliability and interest
in energy programs.
Vigeant emphasized the value of combining broad trends with community-specific insights, helping utilities better understand and respond to changing expectations.
“Having data for your organization is not a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have,” Vigeant said.
Department tables gave members direct access to MRES staff across key service areas, including energy services, cybersecurity, rate studies, communications, large load planning and more. This allowed members to ask questions, explore programs and connect directly with the teams supporting their communities. At the same time, staff gained valuable feedback, reinforcing the connection between services and member needs.
The event reflected the strong sense of community that defines MRES and its membership.
For the second year, the meeting included a preconference session, MRES Essentials 101, designed for new community members, elected officials and staff. The session provided an overview of MRES operations and services, helping attendees build a strong foundation for understanding MRES and its member structure.
From strategic discussions to personal connections, the 2026 Annual Meeting highlighted both the complexity of the energy landscape and the strength of the public power model.
Wrapped in all of it, a clear message emerged: the path forward will require continued collaboration and adaptability. With that foundation in place, MRES and its members remain well-positioned, and truly connected by purpose.
“Public power has always been about connection. Connection to our communities. Connection to each other. And connection to something bigger than ourselves. That hasn’t changed,” Schull said.
HARVEY RECEIVES COMMUNITY LEADER AWARD
Each year, MRES recognizes individuals whose dedication strengthens both their local utility and the broader public power community. The Community Leader Award honors those who go beyond their role — advocating for municipal utilities, supporting sound energy policy and serving their communities with consistency and purpose.
This year’s Community Leader Award honoree is Tim Harvey from Brookings, South Dakota.
The award reflects the spirit of public power: local leadership, long-term commitment and a focus on community benefit. Recipients are often deeply involved in utility governance, civic organizations and regional initiatives, bringing valuable insight and steady leadership to the decisions that shape their hometowns.
Harvey exemplifies those qualities. With nearly two decades of service on the Brookings Municipal Utilities Board, including time as board president, Harvey has been a strong advocate for reliable, community-owned power. His leadership and involvement at both the local and national levels highlight the lasting impact one committed individual can have.
LIGHT UP NAVAJO RECOGNITION
MRES members were recognized for their support of the Light Up Navajo project, a two-year, member-driven effort bringing electricity to homes across the Navajo Nation. Volunteer lineworkers from member utilities and MRES crews helped connect homes and build miles of line, often completing projects ahead of schedule. The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority provided appreciation plaques featuring cultural symbolism, including white and yellow corn representing renewal and generational change. During the annual meeting, participating utilities were recognized, highlighting the collective impact of public power.