Tim Rushenberg

Indianapolis, IN ***** 317-***-**** adbnq4@r.postjobfree.com www.linkedin.com/in/timrushenberg/

Vice President of Operations

Focus Industries: Electric, Energy & Natural Gas Utilities, Trade Association/Not-for-Profit

Areas of Expertise: Operations Management, Regulatory & Government Affairs, Turnaround Leadership

Credentials: JD Degree, Licensed to Practice Law in DC & IN, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Dedicated executive leader with a broad background that included private, public, and military sector experience.

Skilled in creating and executing strategic plans to achieve profitability, business growth, and operational improvement goals.

Highly respected thought leader who has testified before legislative bodies and presented at industry-leading conferences.

Track record of recruiting, hiring and molding team members into becoming top performers in their respective roles.

In-depth understanding of the inner workings of utility service providers and trade associations within this field.

Additional Skill Areas:

Budgeting & Finance Long- & Short-Term Strategic Planning Advocacy Government Relations Energy & Tax Policy

Public Speaking & Presentations Business Development Full P&L Accountability Continuous Process Improvement

Marketing & Branding Team Building & Leadership Regulatory Compliance Technology Upgrades/Modernization

Multi-Location Management HSE Leadership Lean Methodologies Legal Representation Cost Reductions

Selected Performance Highlights:

Played instrumental role in the passage of laws that benefitted utility companies in the State of Indiana.

Drove a series of transformational improvements for a multimillion-dollar private sector company.

Built a distinguished career with the United States Air Force that provided a solid foundation for future success.

Professional Experience

Indiana Electric Cooperatives – Indianapolis, IN 2019-present

Trade association of 38 electric distribution cooperatives that provide service to 1.5M Indiana residents and businesses.

Vice President of Government Relations

Responsible for directing executive-level strategy, planning, and executing all facets of the IEC’s state and federal governmental relations efforts, which includes lobbying, political action, and grassroots initiatives. Leads on the development and execution of the overall government relations strategies. Fosters and builds relationships with legislators, policymakers, political leaders, and other opinion leaders at the state and federal levels of government. Advises, educates, and manages the leadership, membership, staff and other key stakeholders on key IEC policy issues, political matters, and priorities at the state and federal levels of government.

Indiana Energy Association – Indianapolis, IN 2014-2019

Trade association of 14 investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities that provide service to over 4M Indiana residents and businesses.

Vice President

Held executive and leadership accountability for the organization’s activities and goals, reported directly to the IEA President. Worked directly with the President in leading and managing the IEA legislative agenda, including participation as a member of the IEA Government Affairs Committee. Lobbied the Indiana state legislature and interacted with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), member companies, and state legislators on various matters.

Influence on Energy Legislation

Facilitated passage of Solar Energy Reform Law in 2017. Led legislative advocacy efforts to adopt law reforming credit mechanism for residential and small commercial customers with solar panels.

Impact: Earned commendations from the national electric industry trade association Edison Electric Institute for adoption of legislation that will serve as a national model.

Paved the way for adoption of energy efficiency and long-term utility planning legislation in 2015. Communicated frequently with the governor’s office and IURC on bill progress and effects. Testified before House and Senate committees; developed materials for legislators.

Impact: Served as lead lobbyist and legislative advocate for passage of law that will drive breakthrough cost-effective gains for utility long-term resource plans and energy efficiency.

Industry Thought Leadership

Served as a primary point of contact on multiple matters before the IURC, interacting with subject matter experts on drafting responses to proposed federal and state regulations (e.g. Clean Power Plan, Coal Combustion Residuals rule, Cross-State Air Pollution Rule).

Impact: Built reputation as a respected SME and spokesperson on utility issues before state legislatures, agencies and IURC. Requested to present at the annual conference of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners as well as at other conferences.

Indiana Manufacturers Association – Indianapolis, IN 2013-2014

1,100-member trade association and the leading advocate for the manufacturing industry in Indiana (29.7% of the total output of the state)

Vice President, Government Affairs & Tax Policy

Held full accountability for all aspects of Government Affairs, Public Affairs, and Tax Policy functions. Monitored activities of the state General Assembly, government agencies, and Governor’s Office as well as the U.S. Congress, federal government agencies, and Office of the President. Coordinated efforts of IMA’s lobbyists and communicated IMA’s positions to all key stakeholders, legislators, and contacts. Ensured full compliance with all lobbying and campaign finance laws.

Influence on Manufacturing Legislation

Functioned as the manufacturing industry’s primary lobbyist in opposition to controversial Rockport synthetic natural gas (SNG) legislation.

Impact: Enabled potential savings of $400M for industrial ratepayers.

Worked with manufacturers and the utility industry to pass legislation that allowed customers to opt out from participating in the state’s mandatory energy efficiency and conservation programs.

Impact: Set a path for over $1B in cost savings for the manufacturing industry (during the life of the program) in rising electric utility and program costs.

Tax & Energy Reform Leadership

Acted as a chief spokesperson for tax and energy reform on behalf of the manufacturing community, including:

- Content/publication of quarterly online newsletter TaxTalk

- Content/publication of online energy newsletter Energy Update

- “Sales Use and Tax” panelist at Tax Simplification & Competitiveness Conference (convened by administration of Gov. Mike Pence)

Impact: Established a potential $800M in savings for manufacturers and other businesses.

SRI, Inc. – Indianapolis, IN 2010-2012

Privately-held technology and real estate company operating in 4 states and 93 counties.

President

Directed all functional areas of a $3.5M company providing real estate transaction services to 93 county governments across 4 states, including property tax sales, real estate liquidation, property tax billing, and foreclosure processing. Led, coached, evaluated, and motivated diverse team of 21 employees.

Technology Infrastructure Upgrade

Reversed issue with antiquated online auction system by contracting with software provider to upgrade existing system; added new e-payment, cloud computing, and Google maps features.

Impact: Captured the 1st-ever internet-based county tax sale in Indiana and set up the company to implement ongoing upgrades.

Business Development

Revitalized stagnant county tax sales by upgrading sales website, shifting web management from outsourced to in-house, hiring a marketing specialist, and revamping marketing materials.

Impact: Grew number of total county tax sales by 32% (63 to 83) and expanded the tax sales business into the state of Iowa.

Marketing & Branding

Led a full-scale reengineering of the Marketing function. Created the first marketing plan in the organization’s 22-year history (National Marketing Plan targeting new business in 5 states), led a full redesign of the logo, website, and marketing collateral, and attended national conferences.

Impact: Increased the number of total tax sales and mortgage foreclosure contracts by 43% (81 to 116) and raised SRI’s brand recognition

Indiana Department of Local Government Finance – Indianapolis, IN 2007-2010

Government agency established to ensure a fair and equitable property tax system for Indiana taxpayers.

Commissioner (2008-2010) General Counsel (2007-2008)

Appointed by former Governor Mitch Daniels to Commissioner position in order to ensure accurate, timely property tax assessment and billing in all 92 counties. Managed 5 divisions, a team of 50+ employees, and a $4M annual budget. As General Counsel, developed standards for tax assessment and local government budget rules, interpreted statutory and administrative law for the Commissioner, and provided guidance to local officials on legislative matters. Managed staff of 3 attorneys.

United States Air Force – Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ and Minot AFB, ND 2003-2007

Assistant Staff Judge Advocate (2003-2006) Area Defense Counsel (2006-2007)

Prosecuted 18 courts-martial and administrative discharge board proceedings. Subsequently appointed Area Defense Counsel to defend accused airmen in 7 courts-martial and administrative discharge boards. Additionally, served as the Chief Counsel to the Aerospace and Arizona Days 2005 Airshow (w/ 4,000 workers and an 80-person leadership team hosting over 270K spectators) and Counsel to the committee appointed by the Base Commander to privatize base housing.

Legal Prosecution

Participated in the largest public integrity investigation in the FBI’s history, with full involvement in all phases of legal proceedings.

Impact: Played key role in 11 Airmen being charged with criminal misconduct.

Education & Credentials

Juris Doctor (JD) – VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW – Valparaiso, IN

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science – INDIANA UNIVERSITY – South Bend, IN

Certifications & Licenses – Licensed to Practice Law in Indiana and the District of Columbia Lean Six Sigma Green Belt & Six Sigma Certifications Executive Management Certification, University of Notre Dame

Training – 13th Advanced Regulatory Studies Program, Michigan State Univ., Institute of Public Utilities Practical Regulatory Training for the Electric Industry, New Mexico State Univ., Center for Public Utilities Indiana Leadership Forum Bowen Institute of Political Participation, Bowen Center for Public Affairs, Ball State Univ. Squadron Officer School, USAF

Professional & Community Affiliations – Past Chair, Indiana State Bar Association: Utility Law Section, Electricity Division Board of Directors, Samaron Corporation (dba Troyer Products) Coach, Brownsburg Little League & Brownsburg Junior Football League Volunteer, Holy Family Shelter

Publications & Presentations – Wrote articles published in GP & Solo for the American Bar Association and the National Review Online among other publications. Presented at multiple industry conferences, including the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) in NYC, 2015 and the Solar Power Midwest Conference in Chicago, 2017.

Awards & Recognitions – Champion of Small Business Award, National Coalition for Capital Leadership Award, Indiana County Auditors Association Air Force Commendation Medal & Air Force Achievement Medal, Oak Leaf Cluster

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