News regarding FRI Members and Board Members
Sep. 23, 2026
Financial Research Institute presents 2026 Crystal Award to long-time Michigan utility regulator and administrator
COLUMBIA, MO (September 23, 2026) – The Financial Research Institute (FRI) today announced that Greg R. White, a veteran utility regulator and administrator with more than 40 years in energy, utility regulation and public policy, is the 2026 recipient of the policy institute’s Crystal Award, which recognizes individuals for lifetime contributions to public utility regulatory policy. The awarding of the Crystal, established in 2013, was part of FRI’s Annual Public Utility Symposium held each September at the University of Missouri, Columbia. “Greg White contributions to energy policy and public utility regulation over the course of his tremendous career,…
Sep. 21, 2026
FRI adds two new advisory board members
COLUMBIA, Mo. (Sept. 22, 2026) – The University of Missouri’s Financial Research Institute (FRI) today announced two new additions to its advisory board. Joining the board are Lorna Eaton, Director of Rates and Regulatory for Kansas Gas Service, a division of ONE Gas, Inc., and Anthony Swinger, Chair of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. Both appointments are effective immediately. The FRI Advisory Board is an essential component of the Institute, offering strategic counsel, industry perspective, and expert insight to inform program development. Members represent regulatory, industry, and consumer stakeholders across the United States, with operational support…
Aug. 25, 2026
FRI board member Watermeier appointed to leadership position with NARUC
The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) today announced the appointment of Dan Watermeier, a commissioner with the Nebraska Public Service Commission and an active member of the FRI Advisory Board, as co-vice chair of the NARUC Committee on Critical Infrastructure. Watermeier is succeeding another member of the FRI board, Commissioner David Veleta of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. Watermeier has been a member of the FRI Advisory Board since 2021. He joined the Nebraska PSC in November 2018, previously served as a Nebraska state senator from 2012-2018 and operates a farm. Along with the Committee on…
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…
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…
Aug. 20, 2024
WUTC’s Ann Rendahl Joins FRI Advisory Board
FRI is pleased to welcome Commissioner Ann Rendahl of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to our Advisory Board. Ann Rendahl was first appointed to serve as a commissioner of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission in December 2014 for a six-year term that ended Jan. 1, 2021. Ann has been reappointed and confirmed to a second six-year term ending Jan. 1, 2027. Ann serves as the Second Vice President of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, or NARUC, and serves as a member of the Committees on Electricity and Critical Infrastructure, prior chair…
June 12, 2024
Missouri PSC Chair Kayla Hahn Joins FRI Advisory Board
May 28, 2024 FRI is pleased to welcome Chair Kayla Hahn of the Missouri Public Service Commission to our Advisory Board. Chair Kayla Hahn was first appointed to the Missouri Public Service Commission on June 1, 2023, and was appointed to a new six year term on January 2, 2024. On February 6, 2024, she was named Chair of the Public Service Commission. Prior to her appointment, Chair Hahn was on the Governor’s senior staff team as Policy Director and had served as Senior Advisor and Policy Director for Governor Parson since August 2018.