Milton A. Rister

Candidate Questionnaire Responses

1) What makes PEC’s mission meaningful to you, and what interest you about serving on the PEC Board of Directors?

My goal is to ensure that our members’ monthly bills remain as low as possible.  I have over 30 years of executive level management and leadership experience in both the corporate and public sector.  I believe my experiences in leading large organizations and managing multi-million-dollar budgets prepare me to be an effective board member.

2)What education, skills, strengths or life experiences do you have that would benefit PEC?

MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE
  • Executive Director - Railroad Commission of Texas (2012 – 2015)
  • Director of Administration - Governor Rick Perry (2010 – 2012)
  • Executive Director - Texas Legislative Council (2006 – 2009)
  • Senior Advisor & Director of Research - Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst (2001 – 2005)
  • Executive Director - Republican Party of Texas (2004)
  • Chief of Staff - Senator Jane Nelson (1994 – 1995)
(full resume available at https://www.miltonrister.com/)

EDUCATION & TRAINING
  • Transformative Leadership Program, LBJ School of Public Affairs (2014)
  • City of Georgetown Citizens Academy (2009)
  • Governor’s Executive Development Program, LBJ School of Public Affairs (2008)
  • Legislative Staff Management Institute, University of Southern California (2007)
  • Laws of Leadership and Teamwork Training, John Maxwell (2004)
  • The University of Texas at Austin (1969 – 1972)

3)What other boards or committees have you served on or leadership positions have you held in the past?
  • Executive Committee Member – State of Texas Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS) (2014 - 2015)
    (governing board - Texas Uniform Statewide Accounting System)
  • Member - Business Executive Leadership Council (2014 - 2015)
    (governing board - State of Texas Data Center)
  • Member - RESTORE Act Texas Advisory Council (2014 – 2015)
    (responsible for allocation of BP oil-spill settlement money)
  • Member - City of Georgetown Charter Review Committee (2011)

4)Are you familiar with the elements of the cooperative business model?

Yes.  The 350,000+ individuals and businesses who purchase their electricity from PEC form the co-op membership.  The Board of Directors is elected by the members.  The directors set the rates and fees the members pay for electricity and service.  The directors also provide guidance to the senior level staff regarding the operations of the co-op.

We as members place our trust in the directors to make sound business decisions pertaining to the purchase of electricity for distribution to the members, the construction and maintenance of our distribution infrastructure, financing and contractual obligations, the CEO evaluations, and numerous other issues which impact our monthly bills and the quality of service we receive.

5)How would you approach working with your fellow PEC Board of Directors to achieve collaboration and consensus?

I listen to learn.  I instinctively observe each person’s style, their motivations, and how they build relationships.

This guides my understanding of where we agree and where we need to negotiate.  My goal is always to develop consensus, so our electric bills remain as low as possible.