ACES Leadership

MIKE STEFFES

MIKE STEFFES

President & Chief Executive Officer
    View Bio

    Michael T. Steffes

    President and Chief Executive Officer

    Mike Steffes assumed his role as President & Chief Executive Officer of ACES in September of 2013. As Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at ACES for the previous 14 years, Mike has been responsible for all commercial activities of the company. This encompasses managing the company’s areas of Marketing, Origination, Trading, Structuring, Fuels, and Emissions. Mike offers customers a unique level of management experience in energy trading, having held similar executive positions with Pennsylvania Power & Light, Valero Energy and Hadson Gas Systems.

    During 2010, Mike was interim chief operating officer at East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) in Winchester, KY, heading up Production, Transmission, Operations and Planning activities. On assignment from ACES Mike was a significant contributor to the successful transition of EKPC during a challenging financial period.

    As Vice President of Marketing and Trading for PP&L in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Mike led the development of the utility’s unregulated trading subsidiary into a profitable, full-service trading organization.

    At Valero Energy, Mike helped to pioneer state of the art risk management systems that provided portfolio valuation and calculated value at risk, which helped maximize profitability and managed the risk of Valero’s energy business.

    At Hadson Gas, Mike led one of the country’s leading natural gas marketing and trading businesses with a large physical and financial presence in the West Coast, Mid-continent, East Coast and Gulf Coast Regions.

    In addition to his many years of hands-on energy trading experience, Mike holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Detroit.

    “Our primary focus is to help our Members and Customers manage their energy cost and risk more efficiently. We continually anticipate what risks they will encounter, and collaborate with them to effectively manage those risks.”

    LEAH SMITH

    LEAH SMITH

    Vice President of External Affairs
      View Bio

      Leah Smith

      Vice President of External Affairs

      Leah Smith is Vice President of External Affairs at ACES in Carmel, Indiana. Leah joined ACES in March 2000 as an Administrative Assistant supporting the marketing team.

      From 2005 to 2010, Leah worked in ACES’ Accounting department as a Staff Accountant, during which time she gained a lot of valuable information about the company and its operations. Leah then transitioned to Administration and Procurement, leading that team until 2013.

      Leah joined the newly-formed External Affairs team in 2013, and took over leadership of the department shortly thereafter. The External Affairs department performs a number of functions, including ensuring the Company’s work product distributed to our Members and Customers is high quality and professional, maintaining ACES’ public website and social media accounts, developing ACES’ annual report, developing the company’s newsletters and press releases, among other functions.

      Leah also leads ACES’ strategic planning function, facilitation strategic planning sessions with senior management and overseeing the development of the company’s Strategic Plan. Additionally, Leah assists ACES’ Senior Officers with identifying topics and issues to be addressed at the Board of Directors’ quarterly meetings, as well as the Board’s various Committees, and oversees development of all Board and Committee meeting materials.

      Prior to joining ACES, Leah supported the marketing team at Coral Energy, a subsidiary of Shell, in Houston, Texas.

      Leah has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Indiana Institute of Technology.

      DAVE CLASPELL

      DAVE CLASPELL

      Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
        View Bio

        David H. Claspell

        Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

        Dave Claspell leads the Back Office function at ACES. His responsibilities include oversight of all energy market settlement activities for ACES’ Clients, as well as oversight of ACES’ internal accounting activities, legal support, human resources, and general administrative functions.

        Dave has more than 30 years experience in finance, accounting, taxes, and insurance, primarily in the wholesale energy industry. He began his career in public accounting and moved into corporate accounting in the tax department at AMAX Coal Company. He then spent 15 years as financial advisor and controller for one of the nation’s leading generation and transmission cooperatives (G&Ts) before joining ACES.

        Dave understands and appreciates the diverse financial requirements of both the G&Ts and their member distribution systems.

        He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Indiana State University, and is a Certified Public Accountant.

        “We devote significant resources at ACES to analyzing and verifying energy market settlements statements and invoices, one of the many activities for which I am responsible. We have developed detailed processes that ensure that our Members’ and Customers’ energy transactions are financially settled accurately.”

        JOANNA LEHNER

        JOANNA LEHNER

        Vice President of Finance & Accounting
          View Bio

          Joanna Lehner

          Vice President of Finance & Accounting

          Joanna Lehner is the Vice President of Finance and Accounting for ACES in Carmel, Indiana. Joanna joined ACES in March 2011. As Vice President of Finance and Accounting, Joanna is responsible for the supervision and development of each of the company’s senior and staff accountants and financial analysts. She is also responsible for establishing and maintaining the organization’s accounting principles and procedures; directing the completion of financial statements, the annual budget, short-term and long-term forecasting; treasury management; compliance accounting and analysis; insurance management; tax compliance functions and providing Members with accurate and timely financial information.

          Prior to joining ACES, Joanna was a Senior Audit Manager at Deloitte & Touche, and had been with Deloitte for over 13 years. Her primary responsibility was leading the completion of audits of manufacturing, retail, and utilities companies. Among her clients were several SEC registrants.

          Joanna is a CPA and holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Butler University.

          JEFF WALKER

          JEFF WALKER

          Senior Vice President & Chief Risk Officer
            View Bio

            Jeffrey L. Walker

            Senior Vice President and Chief Risk Officer

            Jeff Walker leads the Middle Office function at ACES.  The Middle Office has a primary focus on tracking and mitigating risk, as well as risk reporting, and risk management training and consulting.  Jeff’s responsibilities include oversight of all Trading Control, Credit Services, Contract Administration, Regulatory, and Corporate Development functions.

            Jeff has been in the energy industry throughout his career with experience in the areas of risk management, trading control, credit, contract administration, finance, power supply planning, financial planning, and accounting.  As a CPA, Jeff served as Controller and then Planning & Finance Manager for one of the nation’s largest cooperative power suppliers.

            Jeff joined ACES in February of 1999, and led the design and development of its risk management capabilities to address the wide range of risks facing today’s energy suppliers.

            In addition to being a CPA, Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Indiana University.  Jeff was a member of the Committee of Chief Risk Officers (CCRO), representing ACES from mid-2002 to March 2009, and served as a Director on the CCRO’s Board from October 2003 to March 2009.

            Jeff’s years of energy supply experience, combined with his expertise in finance and risk control, give him a unique perspective on the risk management needs of energy suppliers.

            “Because there are so many inherent risks in an energy supply portfolio, and because market conditions can change so quickly, Energy Risk Management is a never-ending process. It’s like the advice you give a batter at the plate – never take your eye off the ball.”

            MELISSA FISCHER

            MELISSA FISCHER

            Vice President of Risk Management Services
              View Bio

              Melissa Fischer

              Vice President of Risk Management Services

              Melissa Fischer is Vice President of Risk Management Services at ACES in Carmel, Indiana. Melissa joined ACES in November 1998. In her current role, Melissa oversees various risk management services provided to ACES’ Members and Customers, including:

              Trading Control Services, which include verifying transactions are captured in ACES’ risk management systems timely and accurately, monitoring trading activity for compliance with ACES’ and its Members’ and Customers’ trading authority policies, monitoring Member and Customer portfolios for compliance with their hedging policies, transaction reporting, and Dodd Frank recordkeeping, Portfolio Valuation Services, which include development and reporting of forward commodity curves and mark-to-market valuations Risk Services, which include various risk management services such as risk management policy development, risk management assessments, risk management gap analyses, risk management audits, risk management training, and ongoing risk management implementation support, including on-site energy risk management support Melissa plans, organizes, and hosts ACES’ annual Risk Managers Forum and also hosts quarterly Risk Managers Working Group meetings for the risk management personnel of ACES’ Members. She also serves on the internal risk management committee of one of ACES’ Members.

              In addition to overseeing certain risk management services provided to ACES’ Members and Customers, Melissa also runs ACES’ internal risk management committee and oversees ACES’ internal enterprise risk management program.

              Melissa is a CPA and holds a Bachelors of Business Administration degree from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana.

              MATTHEW FISCHESSER

              MATTHEW FISCHESSER

              Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer
                View Bio

                Matthew Fischesser

                Vice President and Chief Information Officer

                As part of the ACES Senior Management team, Matthew Fischesser is responsible for leading the IT organization at ACES. Prior to becoming CIO, Matthew held a variety of positions over his tenure at ACES, in both Process Control and IT. Prior to joining the ACES team, Mr. Fischesser was a Senior Consultant at Deloitte & Touche LLP.

                In leading the ACES IT organization, Matthew and his team are responsible for implementation and around-the-clock support of ACES’ generation operations, trading, risk, analytical, and settlement software solutions; maintaining, enhancing, and supporting a robust and reliable telecommunications and network infrastructure; designing and implementing best practice controls to meet regulatory and financial reporting requirements; developing and managing physical and cyber security programs; and leading business continuity and disaster recovery planning and readiness for ACES’ four regional trading centers and the national service center.

                Matthew has experience leading large-scale system implementations, managing vendor relationships, building key technology partnerships, directing enterprise architecture design, managing ACES Member and Customer integration and consulting efforts, and supporting the planning and establishment of ACES’ technical vision. He has successfully led numerous strategic, multi-million dollar implementations including SAP enterprise resource planning system integration projects, EMS/GMS/SCADA solutions, customer relationship management solutions, commodity trading and risk management systems, and ISO bid to bill solutions.

                Matthew has a proven record of operational excellence, financial stewardship, customer service, leadership, and innovation. He has an extensive knowledge of various energy markets and the services ACES provides to its Members and Customers, including forecasting, portfolio optimization, market operations, generation operations, risk management, settlements, energy allocation, and invoicing.

                Matthew holds a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University (IU) and an MBA from IU’s Kelly School of Business. He is a Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), as well as an inactive Certified Public Accountant.

                “The mission for our technology team is for it to deliver the highest level of service possible to staff, Members, and Customers, to protect ACES’ business information technologies, and to demonstrate technology leadership and innovation that furthers our mission. Managing change, fostering innovation, providing exceptional financial stewardship, while delivering excellent service to our Members and Customers is essential to the success of our organization.”

                PAULA RABB

                PAULA RABB

                Vice President of Human Rescources
                  View Bio

                  Paula Rabb

                  Vice President of Human Resources

                  Paula Rabb is the Director of Human Resources for ACES in Carmel, Indiana. Paula joined ACES in October 2015. As Director of Human Resources, Paula is responsible for the supervision and development of the company’s human resources team, as well as designing, planning, and implementing human resources programs (e.g., recruitment, compensation, benefits, performance management, employee relations, succession planning, and training and development). Additionally, Paula is responsible for developing company policies and procedures and ensuring the company’s compliance with federal, state, and local human resources related laws and regulations.

                  Prior to joining ACES, Paula was a Senior Director of Human Resources at ITT Educational Services where she led the benefits and compensation strategy for the approximately 9,000 employees nationwide. At ITT, Paula also led the operations side of human resources, including HRIS, recruitment, and performance management.

                  Paula holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University.

                  MINDY KIDWELL

                  MINDY KIDWELL

                  Executive Director of Trading Control
                    View Bio

                    Mindy Kidwell

                    Executive Director of Trading Control

                    Mindy Kidwell is the Executive Director of Trading Control at ACES in Carmel, Indiana. Mindy joined ACES in January 2003 as an Associate in ACES’ Associates Program, and shortly after accepted a position as a Trading Control Analyst.

                    In April 2006, Mindy was promoted to Manager of Trading Control. In May 2011, she was promoted to Director of Trading Control and then to Managing Director in October 2019. Her team is responsible for data capture and validation, trading limits monitoring and policy compliance, Dodd-Frank recordkeeping compliance, and transaction reporting. Mindy is also responsible for implementing proper risk management controls to ensure a sound trading control environment, new Client implementation, long-term contract analysis for deal capture and reporting purposes, and assisting with ACES’ annual SOC 1 Audit as it pertains to Trading Control.

                    Mindy graduated with honors from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business with a degree in Economics and Public Policy.

                    ANDY WHITESITT

                    ANDY WHITESITT

                    Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer
                      View Bio

                      Andy Whitesitt

                      Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer

                      Andy Whitesitt is Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at ACES in Carmel, Indiana. In this role, Andy leads ACES’ Business Development, Fuels, Meteorology, and West Trading teams. Andy joined ACES in July 2003 and has held various positions in power, natural gas, and business development, most recently as Senior Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer.

                      Andy began his energy career in 2001 with ICAP Energy as a Commodity Broker. In addition to providing leadership to fuels and power trading, Andy has presented on a variety of topics including natural gas and power markets, as well as the ever-evolving electric utility industry.

                      Andy holds an MBA and a MS in Finance from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

                      COURTNEY STOOKSBURY PARKER

                      COURTNEY STOOKSBURY PARKER

                      Associate General Counsel, Managing Director of Legal Services
                        View Bio

                        Courtney Stooksbury Parker

                        Associate General Counsel, Managing Director of Legal Services

                        Courtney Stooksbury Parker is Associate General Counsel, Managing Director of Legal Services for ACES. As a lawyer for the company, Courtney provides advice to the company on matters of energy policy, energy transactions, business law, labor and employment, contracts, and energy regulation. Prior to her role in ACES’ Legal Department, she worked in ACES’ Contract Administration Department. In this role, Courtney was responsible for analyzing and negotiating power, natural gas, financial, emissions allowance, and renewable agreements to help ACES’ Clients meet their energy and planning needs.

                        Prior to joining ACES in 2011, Courtney law clerked at the Office of Regulatory Staff in South Carolina. Courtney is well versed in cooperatives, wholesale energy contracts, and organized energy markets.

                        Courtney is a member of the Utility Law Section of the Indiana State Bar Association, the Association of Corporate Counsel, and the Electric Cooperative Bar Association. Additionally, Courtney serves as a member of the Edison Electric Institute – Contract Drafting Committee.

                        Courtney holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a law degree from Indiana University McKinney School of Law.

                        ANDREW HALL

                        ANDREW HALL

                        Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer
                          View Bio

                          Andrew Hall

                          Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer

                          Andrew Hall is Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at ACES in Carmel, Indiana. In this role, Andrew oversees ACES’ Portfolio Strategy, Portfolio Modeling, Transmission, Resource Planning, Data Science and Origination teams. Andrew joined ACES in January 2005 and has since gained a broad range of skills through ACES’ Portfolio Modeling, Transmission, and Portfolio Strategy departments.

                          Andrew was previously Vice President of Portfolio Strategy where he focused his efforts on managing the long-term portfolio and risk management strategies for several ACES’ Members and Customers, including managing mid-to-long term strategic planning objectives for traditional and structured portfolios. This process includes asset management, asset valuation, integrated resource planning, regulatory impacts on portfolios and markets, commodity market risk management, capacity management, and transmission markets. In this role Andrew also oversaw ACES’ Fuels, Meteorology and Transmission functions. In addition to the Strategy role, Andrew also served as Interim Vice President of Planning and Power Supply for one of ACES’ Members, Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc., helping fill a need until a permanent solution was established.

                          Andrew has spent his entire career at ACES. Prior to joining Portfolio Strategy, Andrew spent 11 years in ACES’ Transmission Department in various capacities, culminating with the role of Executive Director of Transmission Services. During this time, Andrew was responsible for congestion management strategies across PJM, MISO, SPP, ERCOT, and CAISO ranging from one month to ten years, long-term physical transmission management, the completion of a wide array of consulting project in all regions of the United States, and the growth and development of the transmission staff.

                          Andrew has a BA from Vanderbilt University and an MBA from Purdue University. He is also Series 3 certified with the National Futures Association.

                          Compliance and Ethics Hotline