The Financial Research Institute (FRI) was established in 1988 within the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business at the University of Missouri to promote education, research and service across various areas of finance. Today the FRI, through its public utility division, provides a neutral environment for stakeholders in the regulated public utility industry to come together to examine, understand, and debate current issues relating to public utility policy.
Mission Statement
Under the academic leadership of the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business at the University of Missouri, the Financial Research Institute, through its Public Utilities Division, serves as a neutral environment for the comprehensive examination of sound regulatory policy. The FRI provides interactive forums for consumers, regulators, industry and educators to facilitate innovation, understanding, and education in public utility policy issues.
Public Utility Symposium
The most visible program is the annual Symposium. This is a unique event where the content and speakers are brought together with the cooperation of commissioners, industry, and consumer advocates – resulting in a timely topic that is relevant and equally represented amongst public utility policy stakeholders. Approximately 200 utility executives, regulators and staff, and consumer advocates attend the Symposium which is held at University of Missouri.
SAVE THE DATE: 2021 FRI SYMPOSIUM: SEPTEMBER 22ND
FRI Crystal Award for Distinguished Contribution
The FRI Crystal Award for Distinguished Contribution recognizes an individual who has made recent outstanding and significant contributions to the design, implementation, or analysis of public utility regulatory policy. It provides an opportunity to recognize excellence and achievement across regulated industries and further promotes the mission and purpose of the FRI.
Learn more about the Crystal Award / Submit a Nomination by March 9
Read about 2020 recipient, Kenneth A. Colburn
Advanced Seminar
The FRI Advanced Seminar in Utility Rate Theory, Methods & Applications is a 12-hour seminar occurring over 4 days and focused on the electric industry. Attendees will gain intensive exposure to content through presentations, discussions and case studies lead by experts from a unique cross section of utility executives, former regulators, consumer advocates, academicians and consultants. The seminar will focus on the theory and application of electric pricing to address the transformation of the industry. Registration begins early April 2021.
SAVE THE DATE: 2021 FRI ADVANCED SEMINAR: MAY 25TH & 27TH AND JUNE 1ST & 3RD
State Commission Board Representation
- Arkansas ~ Commissioner Kimberly A. O'Guinn
- California ~ Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen
- Connecticut ~ Vice Chairman John W. "Jack" Betkoski III
- Florida ~ Commissioner Julie I. Brown
- Georgia ~ Commissioner Tricia Pridemore
- Idaho ~ Commissioner Paul Kjellander
- Illinois ~ Commissioner Sadzi Oliva
- Indiana ~ Commissioner Sarah Freeman
- Iowa ~ Commissioner Richard W. Lozier, Jr.
- Kansas ~ Commissioner Susan K. Duffy
- Kentucky ~ Commissioner Talina R. Mathews, PhD
- Mississippi ~ Chairman Brandon Presley
- Missouri ~ Chairman Ryan A. Silvey
- Montana ~ Vice Chairman Brad Johnson
- New Jersey ~ Commissioner Mary-Anna Holden
- Ohio ~ Vice Chair M. Beth Trombold
- Oklahoma ~ Commissioner Dana L. Murphy
FRI Advisory Board
Christopher Ayers
Executive Director, North Carolina Utilities Commission Public Staff
Adam Benshoff
Executive Director, Regulatory Affairs, Edison Electric Institute
John Betkoski
Vice Chairman, Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority
Sarah Ruen Blanchard
Manager, Regulatory Relations & Policy, Alliant Energy
Julie Brown
Comissioner, Florida Public Service Commission
Robert Conroy
Vice President, State Regulation & Rates, LG&E KU Energy
Deborah Dewey
President, Missouri Water
Susan K. Duffy
Commissioner, Kansas Corporation Commission
Jennifer Easler
Consumer Advocate, Office of Consumer Advocate of Iowa
Sarah Freeman
Commissioner, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
Chuck Harder
Deputy Attorney General, Consumer Utility Rate Advocacy Division, Office of Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge
Mary-Anna Holden
Commissioner, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
Darrin Ives
VP, Regulatory Affairs, Evergy Companies
James Jenkins
Vice President, Regulatory Services, American Water
FRI Advisory Board Vice Chair
Brad Johnson
Vice Chairman, Montana Public Service Commission
Paul Kjellander
Commissioner, Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Brett Leopold
Vice President, ITC Holdings Corp. and President, ITC Great Plains, ITC Holdings Corporation
Richard Lozier
Commissioner, Iowa Utilities Board
Steve Lubertozzi
President, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic Business Units, Utilities, Inc.
Talina Mathews
Commissioner, Kentucky Public Service Commission
Dana Murphy
Commissioner, Oklahoma Corporation Commission
Chad Newhouse
Vice President, Regulatory Policy & Strategy, Commonwealth Edison
Kimberly O'Guinn
Commissioner, Arkansas Public Service Commission
Sadzi Oliva
Commissioner, Illinois Commerce Commission
Mary M. Pietrzyk
Director, Stakeholder Strategy and Engagement, Nuclear Energy Institute
Stan Pinegar
President, Duke Energy Indiana
Marc Poston
Public Counsel, Missouri Office of the Public Counsel
Brandon Presley
Chairman, Mississippi Public Service Commission
Tricia Pridemore
Commissioner, Georgia Public Service Commission
Clifford Rechtschaffen
Commissioner, California Public Utilities Commission
Kyle Rogers
Vice President, External Affairs, Spire
Donald Rowlett
Managing Director, Regulatory Affairs, Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company
Jill Schwartz
Utility Rates and Regulatory Manager, Liberty Utilities
Melissa Seymour
Executive Director, External Affairs, MISO
Ryan A. Silvey
Chairman, Missouri Public Service Commission
Cory Slaughter
Director, Rates & Regulatory Affairs, Oklahoma Natural Gas
David Springe
Executive Director, NASUCA
FRI Advisory Board Chair
Jeff Stein
Policy Advisor, Power & Gas, American Petroleum Institute
Tom Stevens
Director, Regulatory & Finance, Black Hills Energy
Paul Suskie
EVP, Regulatory Policy & General Counsel, Southwest Power Pool, Inc.
Brannon Taylor
Vice President, Rates & Regulatory Affairs, Atmos Energy
Beth Trombold
Acting Chair, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
Warren Wood
Vice President, External Affairs & Communication, Ameren Missouri
FRI Programs
The Hot Topic Hotline (HTH) is a bi-monthly program for members to discuss relevant issues. Each HTH is sponsored by an advisory board member. This program provides an opportunity for regulators, industry, and consumer advocates to discuss and debate issues on a variety of topics in a neutral environment.