This week frames opposite ways to tackle a difficult issue. On one hand, you have Wolverine announcing northern Michigan’s largest solar array construction, which we began building this week north of M-55 and our headquarters. On the other hand, we have the Clash of the Titans engaged in a war of attrition in Washington DC [...]
I’m back in the forest! That’s what I realized on my drive home this weekend after spending some time on my “deer blind.” I love this time of year as the nights get longer, and the mornings wake cooler, and I especially like spending this time in the woods. We start to see the first [...]
The Wolverine system comprises a complicated machine – 1,600 miles of transmission, 140 distribution substations, 35 transmission stations and seven power plant locations. This breadth of operation eclipses the complexity of many utilities several times larger than Wolverine. What keeps the machine running safely and smoothly? Wolverine employees. Yesterday we gathered in Grawn to tour [...]
I never took a wilderness trip with my daughter, Hannah. I took multiple trips with my sons — three with Isaac, and two with Ethan — but never one with Hannah. Sports schedules, work schedules, and other conflicts seemed to always get in the way. This summer, determined to take her on a trip, I [...]
Last Tuesday night, I hosted a dinner at Wolverine for a very special group of leaders. I invited each Wolverine Board Chairman dating from 1995 to the present. In addition, I invited Tom Stevenson (CEO from 1995-2006), Walley Garcia (long-time CFO) and Pete Chase (long-time leader of our Merchant Operations and Energy Control Center groups). [...]
A field supervisor stopped in my office this week to share a story about attitude. He was in Cadillac to discuss some operational issues with his colleagues, and apparently he got steamed over a disagreement as to how to solve a particular problem. He decided to step out of the meeting for a moment to “walk it off.” [...]
Michigan is the sunshine state! Huh? This summer has been so nice that you might just think Michigan could steal Florida’s state name. Of course our memories of winter’s gray skies fade with summer sunshine. Amidst this beautiful weather, our sun sits centered in one of the electric industry’s hottest debates — solar power. Solar [...]
Midwest Energy President & CEO, Bob Hance We recently had a message from Henry on our Facebook page. He’s not a member, but looking to build in southwest Michigan and asked about a specific property address in Dowagiac. “We are looking at building at this address, which is currently vacant land. Does Midwest [...]
Independence Day, July 4th… arguably, no other holiday evokes such a strong emotion of being American. July 4th is the quintessential summer holiday, especially in years like this when the Fourth abuts the actual weekend. We enjoy parades, festivals, fireworks, boating, family time, sunshine, and bonfires with s’mores. Michigan provides the perfect playground for all [...]
Some of you have asked me what happens at a Board meeting. Some think it's top secret discussions and endless deliberation. Others envision a private club, unapproachable and scary. In truth, our Board meetings concern real people doing real work for Wolverine. Last Thursday’s June meeting unfolded with some ordinary and extraordinary conversation. Kim Molitor [...]