Lancaster, MO (June 2023)-- Tri-County Electric CFO Carla Mihalovich has completed an intensive program in electric utility management with the University of Wisconsin in Madison. The Robert I. Kabat Management Internship Program (MIP) is a series of workshops offered by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin.  The program guides participants through all facets of the electric utility industry, including the many changes occurring around the nation.

Carla Mihalovich has worked for Tri-County Electric Cooperative for 10 years in various roles and now is the Chief Financial Officer and manages the finances and accounting for the coop.

“It’s an extensive program, months of classes and hands-on analysis of the coop world. I’m proud to have Carla as an MIP graduate and she’s already started implementing new ideas,” said CEO Mike Sheib.

The Robert I. Kabat Management Internship Program (MIP) is a series of workshops offered by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin.  The program guides participants through all facets of the electric utility industry, including the many changes occurring around the nation.

MIP participants go through three 10-day sessions designed to challenge and educate in new, innovative management techniques.  Participants leave with a better understanding of what consumers want and how to ensure they get it. By also covering the unique principles that govern the operations of electric cooperatives, the program helps the co-op analyze other business ventures it may want to enter as well as enhancing the core organization.

Only rural electric cooperative CEOs and top-level management participate in the program. This allows greater emphasis of study on management and leadership challenges and the aspects of consumer-ownership that cooperatives enjoy. Participants focus on member value as part of day-to-day decision making.