MRES continues progress on strategic priorities

MRES continues to advance its strategic plan, with the MRES board of directors and executive team reviewing progress and discussing next steps during strategic planning sessions in July.

MRES’ strategic plan includes eight priorities that help guide the organization’s long-term direction and focus its efforts on areas important to MRES and its members. Five of those priorities were addressed during the July discussions: attracting and retaining people, maintaining financial stability, creating a reliable and clean energy future, leveraging new technology, and engaging membership and policy makers.

The review provided an opportunity to evaluate progress made since the strategic plan was developed and determine how individual strategic actions should move forward.

Some initiatives have progressed to the point that they are now considered part of MRES’ ongoing operations, while others were updated or refined to reflect changing conditions, emerging opportunities and member needs.

Workforce development remains a strategic action, with the approach refined to emphasize long-term workforce planning, employee development and succession planning.

MRES continues to focus on opportunities and initiatives that support long-term financial strength and provide value to members as well as continuing to emphasize local and regional reliability and the growing importance of integrated resource planning as MRES prepares for future power supply needs.

“Engaging with the membership and policy makers is a foundational component to the plan,” said Alex Abplanalp, vice president and chief strategy officer. “Communicating the value of public power and joint action, understanding member and customer needs, and maintaining meaningful engagement with lawmakers, regulators and policy makers is vital to MRES’ success.”

The board and staff also addressed new technology and the need to focus on advancing member technology solutions. The broader approach reflects the changing technology landscape and MRES’ role in helping members evaluate and access solutions that can benefit member utilities and their customers. This includes continued attention to emerging opportunities and challenges such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, along with a broader approach to identifying programs and services that can benefit the membership.

“Engaging with the membership and policy makers is a foundational component to the plan,” said Alex Abplanalp, vice president and chief strategy officer. “Communicating the value of public power and joint action, understanding member and customer needs, and maintaining meaningful engagement with lawmakers, regulators and policy makers is vital to MRES’ success.”

The July review by the board and executive team reflects MRES’ ongoing approach to strategic planning. Periodic reviews allow the board and staff an opportunity to assess progress, refine actions as conditions change and ensure the organization remains focused on priorities that support member utilities and their communities.