Organization of MISO States

OMS History

Federal energy policies throughout the 1990s increased regionalization of the electric industry through the advent of wholesale energy markets and development of Regional Transmission Organizations and Independent System Operators to facilitate fair and open access to the transmission grid. To address the increased workload of following these evolving issues, multi-state organizations of retail utility regulators called Regional State Committees (RSC) were formed to pool the work and increase the influence of the state regulators.
The Organization of MISO States is an RSC that was formed in June of 2003 by the regulators from fourteen Midwestern states and the province of Manitoba that had member utilities in what was then named the Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO). As MISO’s (later changed to Midcontinent Independent System Operator) membership changed, the makeup of OMS did as well. In December 2013, OMS welcomed its five newest members from the south to achieve its current construct when the Entergy Region joined MISO.

Leadership

Click here for more information on OMS leaders

Members

Click here for more information about our members.

OMS Staff

Marcus Hawkins

Executive Director
Direct Line: 515-207-3550
Email: marcus@misostates.org

Marcus Hawkins was promoted to Executive Director of the Organization of MISO States effective January 1, 2019, after serving as Director of Member Services & Advocacy since September 2016. Prior to OMS, he was a Senior Engineer in the Division of Regional Energy Markets at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. He has additional power market experience from working as an Analyst at PA Consulting Group. Marcus received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering and a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He also earned certificates in Technical Communication and Energy Analysis & Policy while at UW.

Brad Pope

Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs
Direct Line: 515-207-3551
Email: brad@misostates.org

Brad Pope joined the Organization of MISO States in June of 2022 following six and a half years with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. At the IURC, Brad served as Sr. Administrative Law Judge where he presided over electric, natural gas, and water proceedings and drafted orders for IURC approval. In an earlier role, he served as Assistant General Counsel where he focused on regional and federal energy issues in collaboration with OMS. Brad earned a law degree from the Indiana University McKinney School of Law with a Certificate in Energy & Environmental Law and a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Purdue University.

Amanda Slaton

Office Manager
Direct Line: 515-243-0742
Email: amanda@misostates.org

Amanda Slaton, formerly Wood, began working with the Organization of MISO States in December of 2020. Since being with OMS she has planned numerous events and increased engagement with our members. Prior to her role with OMS she worked for The Pebble Beach Company in hotel operations. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an Option in Management from California State University, Chico.

Our mission

The purpose of the OMS is to coordinate regulatory oversight among the states; making recommendations to the Midcontinent Independent System Transmission Operator (MISO), the MISO Board of Directors, the FERC, other relevant government entities, and state commissions as appropriate; and intervening in proceedings before the FERC and in related judicial proceedings to express the positions of the OMS.