WisPolitics: Is Wisconsin plugged in to the EV evolution?

Considering the impact of the federal governments push for widespread use of EVs, join the discussion with our panel of professionals on how EVs will impact businesses and residents in Wisconsin.

Meet our panel:  

Dan Krueger, Executive Vice President – WEC Infrastructure and Generation Planning
Dan Krueger was named executive vice president in November 2018 and executive vice president — WEC Infrastructure and generation planning in 2019. In this role, Krueger is responsible for developing utility and nonutility infrastructure expansion plans including identifying, developing and managing nonutility infrastructure investments. He has executive responsibility for Fuel Supply, leading the development and implementation of market resource strategies to minimize the net cost of serving the energy needs of WEC Energy Group customers. He also is responsible for maintaining relationships with the company’s largest commercial and industrial customers.
In addition, Krueger oversees market activities for both electric and natural gas assets. This includes interactions with the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), an integrated regional nonprofit entity that operates the bulk power transmission system and associated energy market. He also is responsible for gas supply planning, storage and operations for all of the WEC Energy Group local distribution companies.
Krueger joined Wisconsin Energy Corp. in 2014, serving as vice president — Wisconsin Electric Power Co. His responsibilities included long-term strategy for performance of the We Energies electric generating assets and fuel handling capabilities. He also served a key role in completing the Integrys acquisition and in planning for integration of the companies. He more recently served as senior vice president — wholesale energy and fuels, since 2015. Previously, Krueger was with Accenture from 1987 to 2014, leading the successful development of that company’s global advisory business in power generation, fuels and power markets. Krueger earned his Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1987.

Michael Moore, Vice President of Engineering – Oshkosh Corporation
Michael Moore, vice president of corporate engineering at Oshkosh Corporation, leads the corporate technology and project team responsible for concept design, technology and launch of McNeilus Volterra ZSL™, a fully electric refuse collection vehicle for our vocational segment. Also under his leadership is the engineering operational excellence team consisting of engineering talent pipeline, new product development processes and tools, systems engineering, emissions compliance, product development operations, budgeting and business development support, and STEM and university relations. Moore has held various senior leadership roles in engineering, business development, supply chain and operations for the vocational segment of Oshkosh. From his previous and current role at Oshkosh, he holds 47 granted/pending patents, many related to electrification.
Moore is a member of the Community First Credit Union Board of Directors, holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and an associate’s degree in engineering from Purdue University. Moore is currently enrolled in the MBA program at Purdue University.

Joel Nilsestuen, WI Department of Transportation – Assistant Deputy Secretary
In this role, Nilsestuen leads government relations, communication, and stakeholder engagement for the department. WisDOT is one of the largest state agencies, wi​th more than 3,200 employees and a biennial budget of more than $6 billion. The department supports all modes of transportation, including state highways, local roads, railroads, public transit systems, airports, and harbors. In addition, the department includes the Division of Motor Vehicles, which serves approximately 50,000 customers each week, and the Division of State Patrol that enforces laws and assists motorist throughout the state.
Before joining WisDOT, Joel led government relations and co​mmunity outreach for the University Wisconsin-Whitewater. He previously served as the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Workforce Development Association and worked in the legislature as a legislative and policy director. Joel graduated from St. Olaf College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. He and his wife live in Madison and have two young children.

Benjamin Richardson, Director of Parking & Transportation – UW-Oshkosh
Richardson is the Administrative Manager of Parking & Transportation for UW Oshkosh with over 10 years of experience in parking and transportation, he is among the first in UW System to install EV chargers, LPR and 100% cashless metering system on any UW campus. Richardson is a part of the UWO Sustainability Institute, promoting transportation related projects including free bus rides for students and faculty on the City of Oshkosh’s GO Transit, OSA’s Titan Transit, UWO Shuttle Service, and Zimride (ride share program) and collaborated with Enterprise Car Share program. Richardson graduated from UW – Oshkosh with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

Hayley Tenpas, Host, Focus Fox Valley
Hayley Tenpas is the host of ‘Focus Fox Valley’ on WHBY radio. She’s a UW-Whitewater alum who started her career in television, making stops at News 3 Now / Channel 3000 in Madison, WJFW Newswatch 12 in Rhinelander and NBC26 in Green Bay. In 2018 she made the switch to talk radio and has spent the past four years as producer and host of ‘Focus Fox Valley’ on WHBY. The show centers on community conversations that are all about emphasizing the people, organizations, causes and ideas that help the Fox Valley to thrive. Life outside of radio keeps her busy! She’s married to her high school sweetheart Brian and they’re the proud parents of Callen, Baker, and Peyton.  Feel free to connect with her on social media — @hayleytenpas