New Utilities Board member

Governor Chet Culver this afternoon announced his choice to fill the vacancy on the three-member Iowa Utilities Board. Rob Berntsen worked for Culver when Culver was Secretary of State. Full news release from governor's office is below:

GOVERNOR CULVER NAMES ROB BERNTSEN AS CHAIR OF IOWA UTILITIES BOARD, REAPPOINTS KRISTA TANNER
 

DES MOINES – Today, Governor Chet Culver nominated Rob Berntsen, a native Iowan and utility attorney, to serve as the Chair Iowa Utilities Board.  The Governor also reappointed Krista Tanner to the board.
 
“I am proud to stand with two dedicated Iowans, who are experts in the field of utility regulation,” said Governor Culver. “But I am also personally grateful to Rob Berntsen and Krista Tanner for their willingness to serve our state as members of the Iowa Utilities Board. I look forward to working with Krista and Rob in the years to come.”

A native of Marion, Berntsen, 39, began his career in state government in 1998 with the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office. In 2005, Berntsen was activated and deployed as an officer in the United States Army Reserve, serving on active duty until 2006.  Berntsen served as Chief of Administrative Law for the 3rd COSCOM as a member of the Army Judge Advocate General’s corps during Operation Iraqi Freedom, rising to the rank of Captain.

Berntsen currently serves as Corporate Counsel to Vectren Corporation, an energy holding company based in Evansville, IN. He is licensed to practice law in Indiana and Iowa, and received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and his law degree from the University of Iowa.
Krista Tanner of Clive began serving as a member of the Iowa Utilities Board on April 16, 2007.  She was appointed by Governor Chet Culver to fill an un expired term that runs through April 2009.  Tanner is a member of the Mid-American Regulatory Conference (MARC) and serves as their secretary. She is the Iowa Utilities Board representative on the Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council and serves on the Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research (CGRER) Advisory Board.

Tanner will complete the remainder of John Norris’ unexpired term which continues through April 30, 2011.  Berntsen will serve as Chair of the board.  His term will begin May 1, 2009 and continue through April 30, 2015. The appointments require Senate confirmation.