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Eric Baker has served as the President & CEO for Wolverine Power Cooperative for 18 years. He began his career with Wolverine in 1988 enjoying electric industry challenges including deal structuring and negotiation, power plant development, financial modeling, rate design, and long-range transmission planning.
Mr. Baker is an honors graduate of Michigan Technological University, with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. He later received an MBA from Western Michigan University and is a registered Professional Engineer (PE).
Mr. Baker and his wife are lifelong Michigan residents, and he continues to serve as the Treasurer of the Board for Cadillac Area Public Schools. His interests include outdoor activities, hiking, mountaineering, history and poetry.
Joseph Brannan serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer for NCEMC and North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. He joined NCEMC in 2006 and previously held the position of Senior Vice President of Power Supply and Chief Operating Officer. Throughout his career in the electric utility industry, Brannan has experienced various areas of utility operations and management, risk management, energy trading and marketing operations. Prior to his days at NCEMC, Brannan was Director of East Regional Trading Center at ACES Power Marketing for four years. He also spent 14 years at PPL Corporation as Power Marketer and Project Engineer. Brannan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration.
Robert Bryce is an author, journalist, and film producer. He has been writing about energy, power, politics, and innovation for more than three decades. Bryce is the author of six books including, most recently, A Question of Power: Electricity and the Wealth of Nations. He has given more than 500 invited or keynote lectures to groups ranging from the Marines Corps War College to the Sydney Institute, as well as to a wide variety of associations, universities, and corporations. He has appeared on dozens of media outlets ranging from Fox News to Al Jazeera.
Bryce is also the co-producer of two energy-focused documentaries, including the new five-part docuseries, Juice: Power, Politics, & The Grid, which has been viewed over three million times on YouTube. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Lorin, who is an art teacher, photographer, and master potter.
You may follow him on Substack: robertbryce.substack.com
The Brazos Electric Board of Directors appointed Mark Fagan as the 8th Executive Vice President and General Manager on September 1, 2023.
Mark has worked in the electric cooperative program for 25 years. He re-joined Brazos Electric after 7 years at Great River Energy (GRE) where he most recently served as the vice president and chief corporate and member services officer responsible for supply management services, facilities services, corporate development, member services and economic development, communications & marketing, and human resources. Mark also provided executive support for GRE’s wholly-owned subsidiary, HERC Services LLC.
From 2011 to 2016, Mark served as vice president of risk and chief risk officer at Brazos Electric overseeing grid compliance, environmental health and safety, contract administration, insurance, enterprise risk management, and human resources, as well as the operations and maintenance of three power generation facilities.
Mark currently serves on the board of directors of ACES, and he serves on the alumni board of directors for the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School. Mark holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology/chemistry from Dakota Wesleyan University and obtained a Master of Science degree in public policy from the Humphrey School at the University of Minnesota.
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.
Erik is the Director of Energy Services & Technology at North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. He leads program design, development, and implementation for a growing portfolio of Distributed Energy Resources including microgrids, battery energy storage, renewables and flexible demand response. Erik oversees a team responsible for deploying, integrating, and managing edge-of-grid resources within the organization’s Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS), focusing on upstream reliability coordination, as well as maximizing the benefits of demand reduction. Erik has a mechanical engineering degree and MBA from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He also served as a navy nuclear submarine officer for 12 years and worked for N.C. State University as the Director of Energy Management and Central Utility Plant Manager.
Michael has committed his career to the energy storage sector, from asset development to investment analysis, policymaking and market design.
Michael is a co-founder and managing partner at Delorean Power where he focuses on the development, design, financing, construction, ownership and operations of utility-scale energy storage projects in the US. Prior to Delorean, Michael served as the Energy Storage Policy Coordinator at FERC where he was the technical lead on Order No. 841 and oversaw all storage-related policy initiatives and industry filings. Michael began his career in 2008 analyzing investments in electric vehicles, vehicle-to-grid systems, energy storage and renewable energy for the Department of Defense.
Robert C. (Rob) Hochstetler, P.E. is a seasoned energy industry leader currently serving as President and CEO of Central Electric Power. Over his extensive career, Rob has focused on delivering affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy, all while supporting significant economic development in South Carolina. His leadership has helped secure transformative investments and create thousands of jobs, yet he remains grounded in his commitment to high-quality service and community values.
Rob’s journey spans hands-on technical work, strategic risk management, and operational leadership across several major energy organizations. Always eager to learn, he recently completed a Ph.D. in Leadership—a testament to his lifelong dedication to growth and development. Beyond his professional roles, Rob contributes to various boards and community initiatives, underscoring his belief in giving back and working collaboratively for a better future.
Mr. Keyser is in his fourth year as CEO of NRCO, where he leads a team of renewables developers and analysts providing market intelligence and project origination services to 23 electric cooperative members across the country.
Prior to NRCO, Mike spent 11 years as CEO of BARC Electric Cooperative in Virginia and five years in American Samoa, as CEO and General Counsel of the American Samoa Power Authority. Mr. Keyser holds a bachelor's degree in business from Washington State University, a law degree from Seattle University School of Law, and a black belt in Lean Six Sigma from Virginia Tech.
Ryan Manzo is the Director of Technology at Arizona G&T Cooperatives, a role he assumed in 2024 after serving as Manager of Technical Services. He began his career with the company in 2008 as an operations engineer before advancing to Energy Management System (EMS) Manager.
As Director of Technology, Ryan leads the team responsible for the applications and infrastructure that ensure the reliable operation and maintenance of the transmission system. He drives automation and integration efforts that support member services, enable future generation and transmission, and safeguard critical assets. Ryan oversees a broad range of technical functions, including EMS/SCADA, CRM, Substation Automation, Custom Development, System Operations, and IT, ensuring seamless integration and optimal system performance.
Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arizona and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. His extensive expertise in both technology and operations is instrumental in advancing Arizona G&T Cooperative’s strategic goals and enhancing its operational efficiency.
David A. Naylor is the President and CEO of Rayburn Electric Cooperative, a generation and transmission cooperative serving four distribution cooperatives across sixteen counties in northeast Texas.
With over 30 years of experience in the utility industry, David began his career at C. H. Guernsey & Company, where he worked as a managing consultant. His work led to his appointment as Executive Vice President at Rayburn, and he now serves as its President and CEO. David has led several important initiatives, including Rayburn's 25% acquisition of the Freestone Energy Center and the more recent purchase of Rayburn Energy Station.
In addition to his leadership at Rayburn, David is the author of Status Quo is Not Company Policy, published in collaboration with Forbes Books. The book, which explores innovative leadership and strategic growth in the energy sector, became an Amazon #1 bestseller across multiple categories.
David is a licensed Professional Engineer and holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma.
Lanny Nickell is President and Chief Executive Officer for Southwest Power Pool, a Regional Transmission Organization whose member utilities operate primarily in the Central U.S. Under his leadership, SPP ensures affordable wholesale electric power is continuously delivered to 18 million people, today and in the future.
Lanny joined SPP in 1997 and previously served as Chief Operating Officer, Vice President of Engineering, and Vice President of Operations. Lanny received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tulsa and is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. He has participated and continues to participate in numerous industry and philanthropic boards and organizations. Lanny and his wife have four children, and they reside in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
With more than 27 years of electric utility experience, Priti Patel serves as vice president and chief transmission officer at Great River Energy, a position she has held since 2017. In this role, she is responsible for all aspects of the transmission business, including leadership and oversight of investment strategy, policy, planning, permitting, construction, maintenance, safety, emerging technology, engineering, project management, and field and system operations. In addition, Patel serves as an executive sponsor for the Enterprise Safety Council, the Women’s Employee Resource Group, and the POC Employee Resource Group.
Prior to joining GRE in 2017, Patel served in leadership and strategic roles at the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) in the areas of transmission system planning, competitive transmission development, regulatory and member relations.
Prior to MISO, Patel served in management roles at Xcel Energy in the areas of transmission development, corporate strategy and planning, and as an assistant general counsel. She began her career as an attorney at the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and in a private law practice. Patel currently serves as chair of the board of directors for Great Plains Institute, an organization dedicated to transforming the energy system to benefit the economy and environment.
She also serves on the board of directors for the Midwest Reliability Organization, a regional electric reliability council under the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.
Mr. Pezalla is the Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC), a generation & transmission electric cooperative providing service to eleven distribution entities in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. He oversees all regulatory policy and advocacy activities at PJM, NERC, Reliability First, SERC, and FERC.
Mr. Pezalla has been in charge of NERC compliance at ODEC since 2017. Previously Mr. Pezalla was the Director of Transmission for ODEC.
Prior to joining ODEC, he managed the interconnection process for more than 50 wind projects for a national wind developer in PJM, SPP, ERCOT, MISO, ISONE, and NYISO.
Mr. Pezalla was the General Manager for a new distribution electric utility that he started on the Gila River Indian Reservation just south of Phoenix, AZ. Before that, Mr. Pezalla was the Substation Supervisor and design engineer at Lee County Electric Cooperative in Ft. Myers, FL.
Mr. Pezalla has a Master’s Degree in International Management from the University of Maryland, an MBA from Marymount University, and a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Villanova University.
Andrew St. John has served as Executive Vice President & CEO of Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) since 2023. He joined CIPCO in 2016, as Vice President & CFO, where he was responsible for overseeing the accounting, finance, and resource planning functions.
Prior to joining CIPCO, Andrew served power & utilities clients within Deloitte & Touche, LLP’s audit practice. He is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, and an Iowa-licensed CPA.
Andrew serves on the Board of directors of ACES, and the Iowa Association of Business and industry. Andrew and his wife Natalie are lifelong Iowa residents and Members of Midland Power Cooperative.
Mike Steffes has served as ACES’ President and Chief Executive Officer since May 2013. ACES is a cooperative owned energy risk management service company that provides comprehensive commodity services for its Members and Customers. In his role, Mr. Steffes leads the development and execution of the company’s long-term strategy and assures that ACES is able to fulfill its mission of helping its Members and Customers manage their energy risk.
Before assuming his current role as President and CEO, Mr. Steffes served as ACES’ Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since 2001. During this time, he was responsible for all commercial activities of the company including management of the company’s Marketing, Origination, Trading, Structuring, Fuels, and Emissions departments.
Prior to joining ACES, Mr. Steffes was Vice President of Marketing and Trading for PP&L in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Mr. Steffes led the development of the utility’s unregulated trading subsidiary into a profitable, full-service trading organization.
Mr. Steffes has also held other significant roles in the industry; helping pioneer state of the art risk management systems at Valero Energy and leading natural gas marketing and trading businesses throughout the U.S.
Al Tamimi is the Senior V.P. & Chief Operations Officer of Transmission for Sunflower Electric Power Corporation headquarter in Hays, KS. His current responsibilities include overseeing transmission operations, transmission planning, transmission policy, and the company NERC/CIP Compliance.
Mr. Tamimi has served on several Southwest Power Pool (“SPP”) stakeholder groups and committees. Currently, he is a voting member on the Economic Studies Working Group (“ESWG”), Markets and Operations Policy Committee (“MOPC”), The SPP Board Membership Committee and the Finance committee.
Al Tamimi holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Wichita State University and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in electrical engineering from Kansas State University.
He has earned a senior member status in the IEEE society and became a licensed professional engineer in Kansas in 2005.
As part of the ACES Senior Management team, Andy Whitesitt leads ACES’ Business Development function. Mr. Whitesitt joined ACES in July 2003 and has held various positions in power, natural gas, and business development, most recently as Vice President of Business Development. Mr. Whitesitt and his team are responsible for the development of new Member and Customer business for ACES. He and his team also help identify trends in the market around which ACES can create new services or expand existing services to meet its Members’ and Customers’ needs.
Mr. Whitesitt began his energy career in 2001 with ICAP Energy as a Commodity Broker transacting power and natural gas in the Northeast and Canada. His industry experience includes fundamental and technical analysis of the energy markets; trading physical and financial power, natural gas, heating oil, crude oil, emissions, and renewable energy credits; fuels origination; pipeline and storage agreement negotiations; and development, implementation, and analysis of hedging and fuel procurement strategies. Additionally, Mr. Whitesitt has presented on a variety of topics including fuels, power markets, environmental regulations, coal plant retirements, rail and pipeline developments, and industry outlooks.
Mr. Whitesitt holds a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and an MBA and MS in Finance from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. He is also Series 3 certified by the National Futures Association.
Denver York is the Senior Vice President of Power Delivery at East Kentucky Power Cooperative. He is responsible for the safe and reliable operation and maintenance of East Kentucky’s nearly 1,000 miles of bulk-electric transmission, nearly 2,000 miles of 69kV sub-transmission, and over 475 transmission and distribution substations.
Denver has been with East Kentucky for 28 years and has held roles directly involved in or responsible for telecom, SCADA, energy management systems, load forecasting, economic dispatch, automatic generation control, generation operations, balancing authority operations, transmission planning, design & construction, and NERC reliability compliance.
He has served as the vice-chair and chair of the Transmission Owners Agreement Advisory Committee at PJM, on the advisory board of the Power and Energy Institute of Kentucky, and as member representative at the North American Transmission Forum. He currently holds a Board seat representing the cooperative sector at SERC Reliability Corp and is on the planning committee for the G&T Transmission Owner/Operator forum.
He holds a masters in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a masters in business administration from Eastern Kentucky University.
He is a registered professional engineer in the state of Kentucky.
Prior to joining East Kentucky, he worked at Harris Corporation in Florida and was non-commissioned officer in the United States Air Force.
