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Laurie Valasek is the Chief Financial Officer of the Michigan Public Power Agency. She is responsible leading the Financial Services Business Unit which entails all facets of fiscal operations, capital management, creditworthiness, credit risk, financial analysis, and financial regulatory compliance. Laurie joined MPPA in April 2023. She is a financial executive and business leader with over 20 years’ experience in the power industry with a unique background combining extensive operational and transactional experiences that include debt financing, risk management and talent development initiatives.
Laurie holds a Master of Business Administration from University of Michigan-Flint and a Bachler of Science in Finance from Central Michigan University.
Steven joined MPPA in 2020, bringing with him many years of valuable experience. He is responsible for the management of MPPA’s long term resources, which includes renewable commitments and historical investments in electric power and generation assets. In addition, Donkersloot oversees MPPA’s energy services platform that is designed to meet unique needs and requirements of Members.
Donkersloot started in the electric industry in 2009 as an intern for Lowell Light & Power (LL&P), a municipal electric utility and Member of MPPA, while attending Hope College. After graduating from Hope in 2010 with a BA in Accounting, Steven served LL&P in many capacities, including the General Manager position from 2016 – 2020. As GM, he was responsible for the overall management of the utility’s operations, facilities, personnel, and policies. Steven is a strong believer in the value proposition of joint action and Public Power!
Bob comes to MPPA with more than 25 years of industry experience working previously at DTE Energy Trading and most recently at Lansing Board of Water and Light. Bob’s career started working in power plants at DTE after 8 years in Naval Nuclear Power which progressed to control center operations and generation dispatch before moving to DTE Energy Trading where he was responsible for managing retail basis positions in wholesale markets in PJM, MISO, NYISO and NEPOOL. Bob’s most recent experience at Lansing was managing power plant fuel procurement, wholesale trading, MISO market operations and was Lansing’s NERC Compliance Officer. Bob holds a BA in Business Administration from Baker College.
Patrick Bowland is the CEO & General Manager of the Michigan Public Power Agency. He is responsible for the strategic direction and tactical leadership of the organization that includes energy supply, energy services, asset management, operations, and member relations. Mr. Bowland joined MPPA in September 2015 with over 20 years’ experience in the power industry, where he held numerous leadership positions responsible for constructing energy transactions with power generators, load serving entities, and large sophisticated end users.
Bowland holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Distribution and an MBA from Wayne State University.