Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) is pleased to announce that Matthew E. Schull has accepted the position of president and chief executive officer (CEO) for the organization, effective May 12, 2023. He will replace Thomas J. Heller, who has led the organization for over 30 years and will become president emeritus on May 12 ahead of his planned retirement on June 30. Schull will be introduced to the MRES membership at the Annual Meeting on May 10, 2023.

The MRES Board of Directors (Board) engaged MyCoff Fry Partners, a utility industry executive search firm, to initiate a nationwide search in August 2022. After interviewing many excellent candidates, the Board offered the position to Schull who brings a wealth of expertise and experience working with public power communities.

Schull served as chief operating officer of ElectriCities of North Carolina, headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, since May 2016. Schull joined ElectriCities in 2003 as the manager of power supply for North Carolina Municipal Power Agency Number 1 and was promoted to vice president in March 2009. ElectriCities is a not-for-profit membership organization of municipally owned electric utilities with a mission, programs and services similar to MRES.

Prior to joining ElectriCities, Schull was employed by Progress Energy for three years, Wisconsin Energy Corporation for eight years, and Madison Gas & Electric Company for two years in various leadership, power marketing, operations and engineering roles, and has over 30 years of electric utility experience. Mr. Schull graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering and is a registered Professional Engineer in both North Carolina and Wisconsin. He also holds a Master of Business Administration in finance from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

“We are very fortunate to have Matt joining the MRES team,” said Vernell Roberts, Chair of the MRES Board of Directors. “His broad knowledge of the electric industry, experience with the member-focused joint-action business model, and expertise in strategic leadership will provide great value to MRES and its members. We are excited for the opportunity to work with him.”

Schull is originally from Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. He is married to Kim, his wife of 32 years, and has two grown children. His interests include all types of sports, hiking with his wife and dog, and he is a car enthusiast.

MRES is a joint-action agency made up of 61 member municipalities in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. MRES provides its members with wholesale electricity along with a host of energy-related services.

For more information, contact MRES Vice President of Member Services and Communications Joni Livingston at 605-338-4042 or info@mrenergy.com.