Carlsrud receives Community Leader Award from Missouri River Energy Services
SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA – Dave Carlsrud of Valley City, North Dakota, was honored with the Community Leader Award during the Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) 58th Annual Meeting. The awards ceremony was held at the Sioux Falls Convention Center on May 10.
MRES established the award in 2003 to recognize individuals who have dedicated many years of service to their communities, locally owned utilities, MRES and public power.
Carlsrud was nominated by Valley City Public Works utility staff in recognition of his outstanding service and leadership as Valley City’s mayor since 2016. During the awards presentation, MRES Board Chair Vernell Roberts noted that Carlsrud is a member of many boards and committees in Valley City and the surrounding area, where he often provides the public-power perspective.
“Dave is also quick to emphasize the critical importance of providing affordable and reliable power supply to support economic development,” Roberts said. “As one example, he resurrected community meetings involving the heads of Valley City State University, Valley City Public Schools, Barnes County, and the city in order to keep everyone informed and working together for the good of all.”
In addition to his role as mayor, Carlsrud joined the MRES Board of Directors in January 2020 and serves as fourth vice chair. He advocates for public power at the state and federal levels, and he also actively promotes public power, Valley City and MRES through a weekly column at NewsDakota.com.
“It’s important to recognize that there are many people like Dave who serve in community leadership positions throughout the MRES membership,” Roberts continued. “They each do it for the benefit of the communities in which they live, and their selfless contributions are very deserving of this award.”
MRES is an organization of 61 member municipalities in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Each member owns and operates a municipal electric utility. MRES provides its members with wholesale electricity and a wide range of energy-related services.