Archive for category: General Information

We are pleased to announce the recipient of the 2020/2021 Max Embree Distinguished Service Award, Dennis Tharp, Utilities Director for the City of Ottawa.  KMEA established this award in honor of Max Embree, of the City of Colby, Kansas who played a leading role in the early years of KMEA.  The award honors his memory and is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and devoted service to both KMEA and Public Power.

We are pleased to announce the recipient of the 2020/2021 Gilbert E. Hanson Jr. Outstanding Service Award, Richard Nienstedt, City Manager for the City of Ottawa.  This award, named in honor of KMEA’s first General Manager, Gil Hanson, is presented by KMEA to a recipient who has, over a period of years, made significant contributions to municipal joint action and is recognized for contributions to his or her community, the electric utility industry, or public power.

We are pleased to announce the recipient of the 2020/2021 Dedicated Commitment to Service Award, Manny Milbers, Power Plant Superintendent for the City of Beloit.  The Dedicated Commitment to Service Award, established in 2016, is presented by KMEA to recognize an employee of a KMEA member city who has, over a period of years, demonstrated outstanding performance and made significant local contributions to their municipal utility.

We are celebrating Public Power Week, Oct. 3-9, along with the American Public Power Association and more than 2,000 other community-owned, not for-profit electric utilities that collectively provide electricity to 49 million Americans. This year, we recognize the people behind public power.