July 20, 2026
FRI welcomes four new advisory board members
Appointments for J. Brian Bingman, Matt Kiessling, Geoff Marke and Mike Naughton complete 2026 roster The Financial Research Institute (FRI) today announced four new additions to its advisory board, completing its current 2026 roster. Joining the board are J. Brian Bingman, commissioner of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission; Matt Kiessling, managing director of state affairs for the American Gas Association; Geoff Marke, chief economist for the Missouri Office of Public Counsel; and Mike Naughton, manager of regulatory affairs for Nicor Gas. All four members have assumed their new roles. The FRI Advisory Board is an essential component…
July 15, 2026
Greg R. White selected for 2026 Crystal Award
FRI is pleased to announce that Greg R. White has been selected as recipient of the 2023 Crystal Award for Distinguished Contribution An experienced utility regulator and administrator with more than 40 years in energy, utility regulation, and public policy, Greg R. White recently retired as Executive Director of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) after leading the organization from 2015-2024, while also serving as Executive Director of the National Regulatory Research Institute (2017-2023). While leading NARUC, he was instrumental in significantly expanding NARUC’s training and education programs, both domestically and internationally, while also strengthening NARUC’s…
April 29, 2026
FRI Announces 2026 Utility Policy Fellow Cohort
FRI is pleased to announce its 2026 class of Utility Policy Fellows program, made possible through the generous support of the Sloan Foundation. These five accomplished individuals bring significant expertise in critical areas of the regulated utility sector, establishing a strong foundation for FRI’s impactful research and analysis in this vital field. Dr. Thomas Gifford recently completed his PhD in Economics at Colorado State University and is beginning a position at the National Wildlife Research Center studying the economics of human–animal interactions. His research focuses on environmental and energy economics, specifically the impacts of wildfires…
March 26, 2026
Seminar Explores the Intersection of Policy and Rate Design
COLUMBIA, Mo. — “Real rate design is learned where the formula ends – in a room of differing perspectives tackling the same big questions together.” This sentiment anchored the Financial Research Institute’s (FRI) latest Advanced Seminar on Transformational Pricing and Rate Design, held March 17–19 at the University of Missouri. The three-day intensive program brought together more than 20 professionals from across the nation to move beyond mathematical models and delve into the complex societal impacts of utility regulation. The seminar attracted a diverse cohort of utility professionals, state regulators, consumer advocates, attorneys, and policy analysts. Traveling…
Feb. 24, 2026
Ohler Discusses RULI Impact on podcast
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Financial Research Institute (FRI) is featured in a recent episode of the “Show-Me MO Success” podcast, exploring the specialized world of utility management. FRI Associate Director of Policy Research Adrienne Ohler joined host Luke Dietterle to discuss the upcoming Regulated Utilities Leadership Institute (RULI) and its critical role in professional development. The conversation also featured Alex Antal, a Principal at the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) and a RULI alumnus. Antal provided a deep dive into the unique business context that defines regulated utilities, explaining how their managerial requirements differ significantly from other investor-owned firms.
May 26, 2025
Mary-Anna Holden Selected for 2025 FRI Crystal Award
FRI is pleased to announce that Mary-Anna Holden has been chosen to receive the 2025 Crystal Award for Distinguished Contribution. The industry nominated award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding and sustained contributions to the public utility regulatory policy community. Ms. Holden will be formally presented with the award during the annual Public Utility Symposium hosted by FRI on September 17, 2025. “Mary-Anna has made a significant contribution to the utility regulatory world,” said Stephen Genzer, Partner at Saul Ewing LLP and one of Ms. Holden’s nominators. “She is a true thought leader with a legacy…
May 13, 2025
RULI Registration Deadline Looms
Don’t miss it! Friday, May 16 is the deadline to register. The Regulated Utilities Leadership Institute covers the history, economics, rate setting, and future trends that are shaping the utility industry. Learn from our industry-respected instructors – Dr. David Loomis, Dr. Adrienne Ohler, and Dr. Michael Sykuta. From foundational principles to advanced topics and leadership skills, this intensive program promises you impact. Register here. The direct access to cross-sector leaders and regulators was impactful. The insights I gained were of significant benefit. – S.K., Engineering Mgr, American Water…
May 8, 2025
FRI Announces Inaugural Cohort of Utility Policy Fellows
FRI is pleased to announce the inaugural class of its Utility Policy Fellows program, made possible through the generous support of the Sloan Foundation. These three accomplished individuals bring significant expertise in critical areas of the regulated utility sector, establishing a strong foundation for FRI’s impactful research and analysis in this vital field. Dr. Joseph Duggan joins the fellows cohort from the University of Dayton. He specializes in industrial organization with a focus on the design and regulation of wholesale electricity markets. His work as an associate editor for Renewable…
March 25, 2025
New Jersey Commissioner Dr. Zenon Christodoulou joins FRI Advisory Board
FRI is pleased to welcome Dr. Zenon Christodoulou, Commissioner with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), to its Advisory Board. Commissioner Christodoulou was appointed to the NJBPU in August 2022. Prior to joining the Board, Dr. Christodoulou had a long and distinguished career in business and academia. He has been a management consultant in various industries and has owned successful businesses in print manufacturing, graphic design, the restaurant industry, and the media sector. Additionally, he has taught as an adjunct professor at William Paterson University educating undergraduate and graduate business students in areas as diverse as organizational…
Feb. 9, 2025
EEI’s Nethercutt Joins FRI Advisory Board
FRI is pleased to welcome Elliott Nethercutt, Senior Director of State Regulatory Affairs at the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) to the FRI Advisory Board. In his current role, Elliott guides EEI’s members on advocacy, policy positions, and initiatives related to the energy transition, resource adequacy, resilience, rate design, and other industry issues. Elliott has over 10 years of policy and regulatory experience in the energy sector. His career has engaged him in several topics of importance, including performance-based ratemaking, advanced market design, and the development of reliability assessments. Prior to EEI, his career has included meaningful…