SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (MRES) Gwen Crawford, city administrator for Valley City, was among 18 utility professionals to earn her leadership certification as part of the LEAD Course, a workshop presented by Missouri River Energy Services (MRES).

The LEAD Course stands for Leadership, Excellence and Development.

The LEAD Course is a high-level leadership training course focused on the critical skills, awareness and perspective that makes a difference in the success of a leader in the municipal utility industry. To earn the certification, graduates attended four two-day sessions throughout the year with course work that covers communication, collaboration, change, accountability, failing/failure and practicing leadership.

“We are encouraged that our members place a high level of importance on training and continuing education for their employees,” said Tom Heller, president and CEO of MRES. “This course is one more step in bringing leaders to new levels of excellence for themselves and for their local public power utility.

MRES is an organization of 61 member municipalities in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Each member owns and operates a municipal electric utility. MRES provides its members with energy and a wide range of energy-related services.