How did we do it? For the past twenty years, you helped build a proud company brick by brick. New generation, new transmission lines, new facilities, and new members, better reliability, and a stronger focus on our member-owners. Our Board and members provided us the money to make these investments, and you, the Wolverine employees, made it [...]
Today is Administrative Professionals’ Day. I usually don’t pay much attention to these types of declared special days, and I don’t really understand who gets to declare a special day, anyway. I think Wolverine’s Administrative staff ranks as exceptional, so today merits a moment to pause and tell them, “Thank You!” Wolverine and MECA [...]
This week, President Trump issued a sweeping Executive Order on energy policy. This Order, entitled Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth, may reverse several important environmental actions issued by the Obama Administration. One item of particular interest is that the Order requires a review of the EPA’s Clean Power Plan Seven years ago, the Democrat-controlled White [...]
Guest Blogger, Craig, and his views on the Failed Second Attempt at the Ptarmigan Traverse) Gratitude. As we walked out of the Cascade Mountains 24 hours overdue--knowing there were worried family members to call, flights to rebook, and meetings to reschedule--the strongest feeling I recall is gratitude. Gratitude for the opportunity to experience mountaineering in a way that [...]
I felt like a nobody. We just finished a failed second attempt at a difficult high mountain route in Washington called the Ptarmigan Traverse, and we made a mess of things. Now three trips into my early climbing career, a disappointing reality smacked me in the face. My skills didn't measure up to my expectations. [...]
Last year, Wolverine celebrated a few notable records. We generated the most power in our history, purchased more natural gas than ever, and set several sales and usage records. I also set a new record – one I’m not very proud of! In early January, my weight reached a lifetime high. I could offer a [...]
How do you solve complicated strategic organizational challenges that impact multiple areas of a company? Who holds responsibility when strategic objectives involve different departments? Mission critical projects can challenge an organization with their complexity, and they require focus, organizational awareness, and tenacity; carrying them out requires a team. That’s the new role of the Wolverine’s [...]
How would you define Wolverine’s culture? Please take a moment right now and try to answer this in a few words. This simple question seems harder for me to answer than it should be. We do have a strong culture here at Wolverine. Examples I see include your strong desire to serve our members, your [...]
December 21, the Winter Solstice…our first official day of winter. It marks the shortest day of our year, which seems all too real as I drive to and from work in the dark these days. For me, the solstice kindles the furtive hope that summer will return, as each day will get longer than the [...]
Where should Wolverine employees direct their efforts next year? What makes Wolverine strong? What things do we need to improve on? What issues could threaten Wolverine? What opportunities lie in front of us? These core questions comprised the bulk of our conversation with the Board and Member CEOs at last week’s Strategic Planning session. We [...]