Mid-America Regulatory Conference names Hanson as new treasurer

The Mid-America Regulatory Conference (MARC) elected Gary Hanson, vice chair of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, as its new treasurer.

Hanson had served the previous two years as the secretary of MARC, which is an association of regional organizations of utility and energy regulatory agencies from 14 states including Arkansas, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin.

“The utility and energy industries consistently experience new issues and topics. In this environment, the discussions I’ve participated in through my involvement with MARC have helped shape national trends and positions,” Hanson stated.

He joins a leadership team that includes Nick Wagner of the Iowa Utilities Board (president); Norman Saari of the Michigan Public Service Commission (vice president); Sadzi Oliva of the Illinois Commerce Commission (secretary); and Rachel Eubanks of the Michigan Public Service Commission (executive committee member).

MARC was established in 1958 to facilitate problem solving, idea sharing and the discussion of regulatory and policy issues affecting the region.

Hanson in his third term with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission after first being elected in 2002. Before that he served as mayor of Sious Falls, South Dakota, for two terms and spent seven years as Sioux Falls’ utilities commissioner. While in that role he he oversaw the development and day-to-day activities of the city’s three municipal utilities.