Powering Strong Communities

Previous Larry Hobart Seven Hats Award Recipients

This award recognizes a manager who performs a variety of duties in communities of 2,500 or fewer electric meters.

Abernethy, Ty
Mitchell City Utilities
Mitchell City, Nebraska, 1999

Adams, David
Churchville Municipal Electric
Churchville, New York, 2008

Allen, Walter
Lexington Municipal Electric
Lexington, Oklahoma, 2000

Amsberry, Richard
City of Ansley
Ansley, Nebraska, 1996

Anderson, Chris
Central City Utilities
Central City, Nebraska, 2009

Anderson, Robert
Cozad Board of Public Works
Cozad, Nebraska, 2013

Andler, John O.
Columbus Water & Light Department
Columbus, Wisconsin, 2001

Arraj, Robert E.
Utilities Department
Kimball, Nebraska, 1981

Ayers, Edward R.
Municipal Light and Power
Grundy Center, Iowa, 1990

Ayers, Fred
Department of Utilities
Schuyler, Nebraska, 1975

Baker, Barry
Town of Etna Green Electric Utility
Etna Green, Indiana, 2023

Barbee, Ralph
Municipal Light and Power
Las Animas, Colorado, 1980

Barker, Lee
City of Higginsville
Higginsville, Missouri, 2010

Bastarache, Ray
Light Department
Merrimac, Massachusetts, 1985

Beat, Robert D.
Burwell Municipal Utilities
Burwell, Nebraska, 2003

Becker, Hal
Delano Municipal Utilities
Delano, Minnesota, 2013

Benesh, Dennis
Light and Power
Clyde, Ohio, 1996

Benson, Carl
Rowley Municipal Lighting Plant
Rowley, Massachusetts, 2002

Beyer, George
Crete, Nebraska, 1985

Biggs, Shelby D.
City of Casey Utilities
Casey, Illinois, 2005

Birdsall, Weston D.
Municipal Utilities
Osage, Iowa, 1982

Bitler, John
Village of Montpelier
Montpelier, Ohio, 2002

Bittaker, Kevin
Board of Public Affairs
Seville, Ohio, 2005

Blecha, Lambert R.
Board of Public Works
Auburn, Nebraska, 1973

Block, Donald
Syracuse, Nebraska, 1994

Blue, Kenneth R.
Municipal Electric System
Prospect, Ohio, 1992

Boese, Armour
Electric Utility Department
Sidney, Nebraska, 1975

Bolack, Tommy
City of Aztec
Aztec, New Mexico, 1994

Boos, A. Allen
Municipal Light and Power
Winamac, Indiana, 1981

Borchers, Robert
Municipal Utilities
Hawarden, Iowa, 1997

Brittenham, Larry
City of Superior Utilities
Superior, Nebraska, 2011

Brown, Derek
City of Albany, Missouri, 2022

Brugger, Norbert J.
Wayne, Nebraska, 1972

Burns, Johnnie
Village of Yellow Springs, Ohio, 2017

Bush, Harry L.
Paw Paw, Michigan, 1982

Bush, Virgil
Electric and Water Department
Carlyle, Illinois, 1970

Bushey, Lionel
Eagle River Light & Water Utility
Eagle River, Wis., 2007

Cain, Janice
Marlow Municipal Electric
Marlow, Oklahoma, 2008

Carpenter, Steve
Town of Huntersville
Huntersville, North Carolina, 1990

Christensen, Charles
Cumberland Municipal Electric & Water Utility
Cumberland, Wisconsin, 2016

Christensen, Chesley
City of Mt. Pleasant
Mt. Pleasant, Utah, 1998

Clodfelter, Ron
Las Animas Municipal Light and Power
Las Animas, Colorado, 2017

Cochran, Allen Wayne
Town of Sharpsburg
Sharpsburg, North Carolina, 1989

Collins, Michael
Village of Bethany Utilities
Bethany, Illinois, 2000

Collins, Roy V.
Public Utility Commission
Cairo, Illinois, 1975

Conner, James
Winamac Municipal Light and Water Works
Winamac, Indiana, 2004

Cornish, Kevin
Electric Department
Clinton, Michigan, 2012

Cotterman, Ray
Town of Belhaven, North Carolina, 1988

Coughlin, Charles H.
Municipal Light Plant
West Boylston, Massachusetts, 1973

Cox, W.D.
Town of Hertford, North Carolina, 1987

Coyne, Allen
Town of Julesburg
Julesburg, Colorado, 2013

Croft, Orman E.
Electric Department
Swanton Village, Vermont, 1980

Custer, Joseph W.
Vera Irrigation District
Veradale, Washington, 1974

Darland, Gary E.
Board of Water and Light
Lake City, Minnesota, 1970

Davis, Darrell T.
Municipal Power and Light
Center, Colorado, 1982

Davison, Pat
City of Imperial
Imperial, Nebraska, 2013

DeFinis, Mike
Borough of Hatfield
Hatfield, Pennsylvania, 2020

Dekker, Robert L.
Light and Power Department
Estes Park, Colorado, 1978

Detmer, Dale
City of Breese Utilities
Breese, Illinois, 2023

Diewald, David "Louie"
City of Red Bud
Red Bud, Illinois, 2003

Dillman, Diane
Paxton Municipal Light Department
Paxton, Massachusetts, 2006

Dintelmann, Ron
Freeburg Utilities
Freeburg, Illinois, 2002

Dodds, Michael
Jackson Center Municipal Electric System
Jackson Center, Ohio, 2006

Doublehead, Mike
Stilwell Light & Water
Stilwell, Oklahoma, 2010

Douglas, Mary
City of Northwood Utilities
North Dakota, 2009

Drennen, William L.
Municipal Electric Utility
New Martinsville, West Virginia, 1983

Drone, Patrick
Prairie du Sac Utilities
Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, 2008

Dudek, Joseph
Electric Light Plant
Jewett City, Connecticut, 1983

DuMars, Greg
City of Lindsborg
Lindsborg, Kansas, 2015

Dupee, Robert
Municipal Utilities
Wellington, Ohio, 1985

Durkos, James L.
Electric Department
Newton Falls, Ohio, 1991

Eby, Ralph
Light and Water Works
West Point, Nebraska, 1984

Eldridge, Max
Brookston Municipal Light Department
Brookston, Indiana, 2004

Elliott, Richard J.
Board of Public Works
Superior, Nebraska, 1990

Elwell, Jonathan
Village of Enosburg Falls Electric Light Dept.
Enosburg Falls, Vermont, 2010

Erickson, Paul A.
Wahoo Utilities
Wahoo, Nebraska, 1998

Everett, Charles H.
Flora Municipal Utilities
Flora, Indiana, 2002

Farley, Larry
Denver Municipal
Denver, Iowa, 2005

Farrar, Harold M.
Kimball, Nebraska, 2010

Fendrick, Robert
City of Pender
Pender, Nebraska, 1996

Ferris, David D.
Lenox Municipal Light & Power
Lenox, Iowa, 2005

Fiala, Larry
Municipal Utilities
Seward, Nebraska, 1991

Fiser, Alan E.
Pioneer Municipal Utilities
Pioneer, Ohio, 2022

Fitch, Jonathan
Princeton Municipal Light Department
Princeton, Massachusetts, 2010

Fletcher, Leland C.
Templeton Municipal Lighting Plant
Baldwinville, Massachusetts, 1970

Foster, John
Municipal Utilities
Alliance, Nebraska, 1978

Francis, Kyle
Village of Versailles Utilities
Versailles, Ohio, 2023

Friberg, Robert
Water and Light Commission
Florence, Wisconsin, 1987

Fritz, Greg
City of Pocahontas
Pocahontas, Iowa, 2004   

Fritz, Ron
Flora Utilities
Bringhurst, Indiana, 2019

Fromm, Gary
Whitehall Municipal Electric Utility
Whitehall, Wisconsin, 2005

Garner, Elmon "Lee"
City of Chattahoochee
Chattahoochee, Florida, 2008

Gayler, Greg
Darlington Light and Power
Darlington, Indiana, 2015

German, Kennie L., Jr.
Light, Gas and Water Department
Somerville, Tennessee, 1990

Gibney, Jim
Wahoo Utilities
Wahoo Nebraska, 2013

Gladden, Kevin
Village of Genoa
Genoa, Ohio, 2013

Goebel, Blackman, Jr.
Public Works Authority
Hominy, Oklahoma, 1987

Goulette, Tom
City Administrator
City of West Point
West Point, Nebraska,
2006

Gould, Robert W.
Municipal Light Department
Ashburnham, Massachusetts, 1979

Greff, Jim 
City of Prague
Prague, Oklahoma, 2016

Greuel, Ron
New Holstein Utilities
New Holstein, Wisconsin, 1999

Grubaugh, Eugene
Light Department
David City, Nebraska, 1987

Guidice, Shawn
Rising Sun Municipal Utilities
Rising Sun, Indiana, 2017

Gump, Randy
Utilities Department
Versailles, Ohio, 1993

Hahn, E.J. "Gene"
Public Works Authority
Granite, Oklahoma, 1988

Haltaufderheide, Gary
Water and Light Commission
Oconto Falls, Wisconsin, 1994

Hansen, Darwin
Municipal Utility Department
Springfield, Colorado, 1986

Hansen, Gregg
City of Westby
Westby, Wisconsin, 2003

Harder, Merle
Municipal Light and Water
Elmore, Ohio, 1995

Hardesty, Richard
Farmer City Light and Power
Farmer City, Illinois, 2004

Hardison, H. Dewitt
Town of Belhaven
Belhaven, North Carolina, 2001

Harmon, Ralph
Town of Kingsford Heights
Kingsford Heights, Indiana, 2004

Hastings, Duncan
Village of Johnson, Vermont, 2008

Haynes, David
Municipal Utilities
Newkirk, Oklahoma, 1989

Hawn, Larry
Carlyle Utilities
Carlyle, Illinois, 2002

Hazen, James E.
Municipal Light Department
Georgetown, Massachusetts, 1978

Henry, Wayne
Jamestown Municipal Light & Power
Jamestown, Indiana, 2000

Hensley, Carl
City of Yale, Oklahoma, 1990

Hickle, Bruce
City of Bushnell

Bushnell, Florida, 2015

Hines, Richard N.
Electric and Water Department
Edenton, North Carolina, 1973

Hodapp, John
Carlyle Municipal Electric
Carlyle, Illinois, 2010

Hodges, Barry
Minneapolis Municipal Light, Water & Power
Minneapolis, Kansas, 2023

Holloman, James C.
Plymouth Municipal Electric
Plymouth, Ohio, 2003

Hudnall, W.A.
Las Animas Municipal Light and Power
Las Animas, Colorado, 2002

Huffstodt, Ben
Municipal Utilities
Princeton, Illinois, 1976

Jacobsen, Robert
Broken Bow, Nebraska, 1997

Jark, Arthur J.
Water and Light Commission
Jefferson, Wisconsin, 1976

Jauernig, M.A. "Arnie"
Stuart Municipal Water & Power
Stuart, Nebraska, 1995

Johnson, Martin
Electric Department
Breese, Illinois, 1977

Johnson, Matt
City of Breese Utilities
Breese, Illinois, 2000

Johnson, Roland W.
Wisner, Nebraska, 1989

Roy L Johnson Jr
Carey Municipal Light and Power, 2014

Johnston, Donald
Flandreau, South Dakota, 1994

Johnston, Robert
City of Frederick, Oklahoma, 2016

Jones, Jamie
City of Newberry, Florida Utilities and Public Works Department
Newberry, Florida, 2023

Jutting, Dennis
Westbrook Public Utilities
Westbrook, Minnesota, 2003

Kaiser, Paul
Waterville, Ohio, 1973

Kane, Tom
Hawarden Municipal Utilities

Hawarden, Iowa, 2018

Kates, Gene
Centerville Municipal Utilities

Centervilla, Indiana, 2015

Katterheinrich, Rex 
New Knoxville Municipal Electric
New Knoxville, Ohio, 2016

Kelly, Mark
Light Department
Middleton, Massachusetts, 1986

Kemppainen, Roy
Baraga, Michigan, 2010

Kimball, Edward
Municipal Lighting Plant
Boylston, Massachusetts, 1976

Kirchoff, Richard
Hustisford Utilities
Hustisford, Wisconsin, 2000

Klein, Lawrence
Cairo Public Utility Company
Cairo, Illinois, 2004

Kloster, Philip A.
Municipal Utilities
Wayne, Nebraska, 1990

Klusmeyer, Dennis J.
Shelbina Light & Water Dept.
Shelbina, Missouri, 2023

Kummer, Kent
Spring City Municipal Corporation
Spring City, Utah, 1999

LaFave, Robert
Village of L’Anse Electric Utility
L’Anse, Michigan, 2021

Lanciani, Curtis J.
Electric Light Department
Paxton, Massachusetts, 1972

Landrum, Mark C.
Advance Municipal Light & Power
Advance, Indiana, 2001

Lane, Jeff
Spiceland Electric Utility
Spiceland, Indiana, 2011

LeCloux, James, Jr.
Algoma Utilities

Algoma, Wisconsin, 2005

LeCloux, Roland C.
Utility Commission
Algoma, Wisconsin, 1993

Lindstrom, Jamie
Town of Argos
Argos, Indiana, 2021

Linne, Bernard "Pudder"
Troy Utilities
Troy, Indiana, 2018

Lockard, John
Municipal Electric
Pemberville, Ohio, 1998

Lockmon, Bob 
Stuart Municipal Power

Stuart, Nebraska, 2020

Longmore, Lynn
Village of Callaway, Nebraska, Utility Company, 2012

Longwell, Floyd G.
Woodsfield Municipal Electric
Woodsfield, Ohio, 2001

Louvierre, Robert J.
Utility Department
Welsh, Louisiana, 1972

Lucas, Michael
Broken Bow Utilities
Broken Bow, Nebraska, 2002

Lucas, Pam
Montpelier Municipal Utility
Montpelier, Ohio, 2015

Luckett, Jim, Jr.
City of Fairview, Oklahoma, 1991

Ludeke, Ron
Municipal Utilities
Oxford, Nebraska, 1991

Mardis, Jim
City of Pittsboro
Pittsboro, Indiana, 2013

Martens, Laverne H.
Water and Light Department
Wahoo, Nebraska, 1974

Mathews, Fay
Municipal Light & Power
Delta, Colorado, 1995

Mathys, Dale A.
Village of Edgerton
Edgerton, Ohio, 2000

Matlock, Mel
Knightstown Electric Utility Indiana, 2009

Mattaliano, Joseph P.
City of Philippi, West Virginia, 1976

Metz, Bruce A.
Jackson Center Municipal Electric

Jackson Center, Ohio, 2018

Mears, Bradley
City of Holton,

Holton, Kansas, 2005

McCleery, Mike
City of Bushnell
Bushnell, Illinois, 2003

McClure, Ralph
City Power Department
Washington, Utah, 1997

McCormick, Bernard S.
Municipal Lighting Plant
Rowley, Massachusetts, 1974

McDaniel, John H.
Light Plant Commission
Paragould, Arkansas, 1972

McGee, Doug
Town of Pendleton
Pendleton, Indiana, 2003

McKinnon, Howard L.
Havana, Florida, 2010

McKnight, J. Randy
Nephi City Corporation
Nephi, Utah, 2000

McNeil, Stephen
Enosburg Falls, Vermont, 1998

McPherson, Jason 
Marlow Electric
Marlow, Oklahoma, 2020

McRae, George
Lighting and Power Department
Milton-Freewater, Oregon, 1968

Merry, G. Robert
Municipal Lighting Plant Board
Rowley, Massachusetts, 1993

Michael, George E.
Town of Haxtun
Haxtun, Colorado, 2001

Mikelson, Gene
Municipal Electric System
Julesberg, Colorado, 1985

Miller, Don
Carlisle Municipal Electric Utility
Carlisle, Iowa, 2015

Miller, Leo H.
Municipal Light and Power
Lenox, Iowa, 1974

Moliske, Michael B.
City of Oglesby, Illinois, 1972

Montague, Timothy
Bremen Electric Light & Power
Bremen, Indiana, 2004

Moody, Gary
Thornton, Indiana, Municipal Utilities, 2012

Moon, George E.
City of West Point, Georgia, 2022

Morley, III, John
Village of Orleans, Inc.
Orleans, Vermont, 2003

Morrissey, George
Cuba City Utilities
Cuba City, Wisconsin, 2022

Myers, George
Municipal Electric System
Pitcairn, Pennsylvania, 1994

Mullen, Brian
Darlington Municipal Utilities
Darlington, Indiana, 2022

Nagle, Fred
Preston Public Utilities Commission
Presotn, Minnesota, 2004

Nelson, James R.
Bainbridge Utilities
Bainbridge, Indiana, 2001

Nelson, Larry
Callaway, Nebraska, 1997

New, Mike
City of Newberry, Florida, 2017

Noel, David
Arcadia Electric Department
Arcadia, Ohio, 2011

Orians, Gregg
Carey Municipal Light & Power Ohio, 2009

Ourada, Tom
City of Crete

Crete, Nebraska, 2000

Owen, Homer L.
Electric Plant Board

Russellville, Kentucky, 1973

Paine, Larry
City of Hillsboro

Hillsboro, Kansas, 2019

Page, Merl
City of Wamego Utilties

Wamego, Kansas, 2018

Page, Robert B.
Water and Light Department

Morrisville, Vermont, 1983

Parrack, Dwain
Light and Power Company
Las Animas, Colorado, 1988

Paul, Harry M.
Wahkiakum Public Utility District
Cathlamet, Washington, 2001

Price, Joe
Grafton Village Power & Light
Grafton, Ohio, 2021

Robert L. Peter
Ellinwood City Administrator, 2014

Peterman, Richard
Waynetown Municipal
Waynetown, Indiana, 2000

Peterson, Donald F.
Utilities Department
Wahoo, Nebraska, 1986

Peterson, Jeff 
Brodhead Water & Light

Brodhead, Wisconsin, 2020 

Pettit, Marlin W.
Utilities Department
Edgerton, Ohio, 1988

Phillips, James H.
Utilities Commission
Sebring, Florida, 1971

Pickart, Joe
Norway Department of Power and Light
Norway, Michigan, 2015

Ping, Ron
Town of Pittsboro

Pittsboro, Indiana, 2005

Pulis, Reuben
City of Kingfisher, Oklahoma, 1993

Ralls, Chuck
City of Comanche Public Works Autority
Comanche, Oklahoma, 2022

Ramey, John C.
Okeene, Oklahoma, Electric Utilities, 2012

Redd, Jeremy 
Blanding City, Utah, 2017

Reinoehl, Harley D.
Laurel Utilties
Laurel, Nebraska, 2002

Reinhold, Arthur G.
Light and Water Department
Sebewaing, Michigan, 1972

Reynolds, Mike
Boscobel Utilities
Boscobel, Wisconsin, 2002

Rickard, James Robert
Village of Woodville
Woodville, Ohio, 1999

Rigel, Rick
Town of Fleming
Fleming, Colorado, 1990

Robinson, Constance
Paragonah Town
Paragonah, Utah, 2001

Rohacs, Larry J.
Department of Public Utilities
Dowagiac, Michigan, 1979

Roos, Allen
Municipal Electric System
Orange City, Iowa, 1986

Ruano, Vicente
City of Bushnell, Florida, 1996

Rudolph, F.R.
Greendale, Indiana, 1972

Rugg, William H.
Municipal Light Department
Sterling, Massachusettts, 1988

Rule, Ronald
City of Batavia, Illinois, 1969

Sailor, Richard D.
Village of Jackson
Center, Ohio, 1986

Satterly, Frank
Public Works and Utilities
Groton, New York, 1996

Schwartz, Kenneth
City of Red Cloud, Nebraska, 1985

Schroeder, Tom
City of Wall Lake

Wall Lake, Indiana, 2005

Severtson, Norris
Lakota Municipal Light Plant
Lakota, North Dakota, 2008

Sewell, Robert W.
Milford Municipal Utilities
Milford, Iowa, 2010

Seybold, Wilmer "Bill"
City of Benkelman, Nebraska, 1995

Sheafor, Carroll
Brodhead Water & Light Commission
Brodhead, Wisconsin,
2006

Shields, Jeffrey K.
Trinity County Public Utility District
Weaverville, California, 1991

Shirley, Ernest
Utilities Department
Red Bud, Illinois, 1971

Shoulders, R.M.
Cairo, Illinois, 1966

Simpson, Merlin
Electric Department
Stromsburg, Nebraska, 1992

Skelton, Gerald
Templeton Municipal Lighting Plant
Baldwinville, Massachusetts, 1984

Stallard, Tim
Village of Lucas
Lucas, Ohio, 2021

Dave Slezickey
Kingfisher Power
Kingfisher, Oklahoma, 2017

Smith, Bruce
City of Kimball
Kimball, Nebraska, 2000

Smith, Dick
Darlington Light & Power
Darlington, Indiana, 2002

Smith, Eugene P.
Municipal Utilities
Coon Rapids, Iowa, 1991

Smith, George Q.
Marshall Municipal Utilities
Marshall, Illinois, 1995

Smith, Harold L.
Municipal Light Department
Paxton, Massachusetts, 1990

Smith, Ralph M.
Municipal Light Department
Groton, Massachusetts, 1973

Smith, Stuart T. 
Spring Valley Public Utilities

Spring Valley, Minnesota, 2020

Smithberger, Ellis
Municipal Electric Department
Woodsfield, Ohio, 1989

Snedeker, Robert W.
City of Wray, Colorado, 1989

Spears, Larry
Electric System
Benton, Kentucky, 1994

Staz, Sharon A.
Municipal Light Department
Princeton, Massachusetts, 1989

Steele, David
Oak City, Utah, 2010

Stoiber, Buck
Elmore Board of Public Affairs
Elmore, Ohio, 2008

Stokley, Ted P.
Board of Public Works
Gaffney, South Carolina, 1970

Suggs, Blaine
City of Newberry Electric Utility
Newberry, Florida, 2012

Sullivan, Kenneth
Jewett City Department of Public Utilities
Jewett City, Connecticut, 2011

Swearingen, Jack
Board of Public Works
Crane, Missouri, 1998

Swenson, Guy
Barnesville Municipal Utilities
Barnesville, Minnesota, 2015

Todd Tessmann
Hustisford Utility, 2014

Tibbetts, Chuck
City of Aitkin
Aitkin, Minnesota, 2013

Tillman, Tracy
City of Burlington
Burlington, Colorado, 2001

Tobin, William G.
Municipal Utility
Rock Rapids, Iowa, 1998

Tramblie, David
PUD No. 1 of Wahkiakum County

Cathlamet, Washington, 2004

Trinkl, Ronald J.
Village of Churchville Municipal Electric
Churchville, New York, 1995

Tucker, Gary William
City of Akron Municipal Utility
Akron, Iowa, 1999

Kent VanDyne
Town of Walkerton, Indiana

VanScoder, Steve
Cygnet Board of Public Affairs
Cygnet, Ohio, 2010

Veltema, Buddy
Public Works Authority
Walters, Oklahoma, 1987

Wacker, Herman "Bud"
Municipal Light and Power
Wayne, Nebraska, 1985

Waite, Merlin
Denison, Iowa, 1966

Ward, Donald A.
Berlin Municipal Electric, Water & Wastewater
Berlin, Maryland, 2000

Warren, John
Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority

Edmond, Oklahoma, 2005

Wattier, Clarence H.
Light and Power Utilities
Pierce, Nebraska, 1986

Weaver, Karen
Philippi Municipal Electric
Philippi, W.Va., 2007

Weber, Charles W.
Wahkiakum Public Utility District
Cathlamet, Washington, 1988

Weber, Patrick
Eagle River Light & Water Utility
Eagle River, Wisconsin, 2018

Weihert, Eugene
Waterloo Water and Light

Waterloo, Wisconsin, 2004

White, H. Bradford, Jr.
Light Department
Boylston, Massachusetts, 1997

White, David
New Martinsville Municipal Utilities

New Martinsville, West Virginia, 2004

Wigern, Ray
Public Utilities
Wells, Minnesota, 1992

Wiker, Earl
Light and Power Department
Rantoul, Illinois, 1970

Wilcox, Jerry
City of Curtis Utilities
Curtis, Nebraska, 1999

Willoughby, Faith
Town of Chalmers
Chalmers, Indiana, 2021

Wood, Albert A.
Red Cloud, Nebraska, 1998

Young, Jody
City of Bushnell
Bushnell, Florida, 2019

Zavistoski, Frank A.
Electric Light Plant
Jewett City, Connecticut, 1975

Zellers, Brad 
Town of Winamac, Indiana, 2020 

Zillig, Eugene
Electric Department
Neligh, Nebraska, 1989

Zimmerman, Hugh
Stillwell Area Development Authority
Stillwell, Oklahoma, 2001

Zimmerman, Ronald
Waynesfield, Ohio, 1997