WPPI Energy is readying itself for the future with key changes to its leadership team, it said on Feb. 14.
The updates follow a comprehensive succession planning initiative by the joint action agency, which serves 50 public power utilities and one electric cooperative in Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, and Iowa.
“WPPI’s purpose is helping our communities thrive,” said Mike Peters, President and CEO of WPPI Energy. “Our work requires dedicated leadership with long-term vision, and I’m pleased to say that’s exactly what we have in place with this dynamic, experienced executive staff team.”
Power Supply
Marty Dreischmeier began a new role as WPPI’s senior vice president of Power Supply on Feb. 1.
Dreischmeier, who joined WPPI in 1997, held the position of chief financial officer for the past 18 years.
He first joined WPPI’s staff as part of the Power Supply Planning Department, where he worked for nearly a decade.
Dreischmeier’s shift to heading up the Power Supply Department follows the first of two anticipated WPPI executive staff retirements this year.
On Jan. 31, Tim Noeldner concluded his tenure as WPPI senior vice president of Power Supply after more than 20 years of service to the company. His 40-year electric utility industry career has encompassed various areas of transmission development, resource planning, rates, power marketing, origination generation and system operations.
Finance
In a corresponding move, Joe Daggett has been promoted to fill the chief financial officer role vacated by Dreischmeier.
He is a seasoned energy finance and risk management leader who has served WPPI for more than 16 years. Before joining WPPI, Daggett worked in the public accounting sector, providing audit and assurance services to a diverse range of clients. He is a Certified Management Accountant and a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Wisconsin.
Member Relations, Communications and Services
The company is also preparing for the retirement in mid-2025 of Senior Vice President Tom Paque, WPPI’s longtime executive leader for business strategy and member services. Paque has worked for nearly 40 years in the electric utility industry with experience developing and marketing industrial energy services and rates, demand-side and renewable energy programs, large account management, operations and business strategy.
In preparation for Paque’s departure, WPPI promoted Jake Oelke on Jan. 13 to the position of senior vice president of Member Relations, Communications and Services.
Oelke’s career at WPPI spans more than 27 years. His background includes electric utility customer services engineering, industrial energy services and outreach functions, including communications and program marketing.
“It is bittersweet to say farewell and happy retirement to such exceptional long-term leaders as Tim Noeldner and Tom Paque,” Peters said. “The future of WPPI is bright, in part, because of their significant contributions. Today we remain ready with the expertise and knowledge to continue delivering on the promise of joint action for our member utilities.
