MEA inducts five energy leaders into Hall of Fame

MEA Energy Association has named five utility professionals to its 2026 Hall of Fame for leadership, service and work advancing industry education. The honorees span gas and electric operations at Ameren Illinois, CenterPoint Energy, Kerotest and Poly Gas Distribution, Alliant Energy and Madison Gas and Electric.

Why it matters: - The Hall of Fame spotlights people who shape utility safety, training and operations beyond their day jobs. - MEA is using the honor to recognize the professionals who help build the association’s education network and peer-learning culture. - The inductions also underscore how committee work and instructional roles can influence industry development at scale.

What happened: - MEA Energy Association announced the 2026 induction of five energy industry professionals into its Hall of Fame. - The honorees are Steve Blunier of Ameren Illinois Company, Dean Headlee of CenterPoint Energy, Randall Rogers of Kerotest and Poly Gas Distribution LLC, Brian Ross of Alliant Energy and Bart Schley of Madison Gas and Electric. - MEA said the recognition honors leadership, service and contributions to industry education and collaboration.

The details: - Steve Blunier has served on MEA’s Gas Measurement & Controls Committee since 2016, including four terms as chair. - Blunier has taught Measurement Fundamentals classes at multiple MEA events and attended 26 MEA learning events. - Dean Headlee spent nine years on MEA’s Board of Directors, including five years on the Board Membership Committee and three years on the Board Finance Committee. - Headlee also served 15 years on the Gas Operations Steering Committee and attended more than 50 MEA learning events. - Randall Rogers began participating in MEA programming in 1990 at the Gas Operations Conference and later served as a session instructor for many years. - Rogers expanded his involvement to the Purchasing & Materials Management Conference in 1995 and has attended more than 65 MEA learning events. - Brian Ross has been on the Electric Metering Committee since 2014, chaired it in 2017 and joined the Electric Operations Steering Committee in 2023. - Ross has moderated roundtable discussions and conference sessions, including leadership-focused conversations. - Bart Schley joined the Electric Safety & Training Committee in 2012 and chaired it in 2015. - Schley has served on the Electric Operations Steering Committee since 2018, including three consecutive years as chair from 2020 through 2022, and has attended 28 MEA learning events. - MEA says the Hall of Fame recognizes people whose contributions have had a lasting impact on the association and the energy industry. - The association said the five inductees reflect the collaborative spirit that has supported MEA for more than a century.

Between the lines: - The class of 2026 is heavy on committee chairs and educators, which suggests MEA values sustained volunteer leadership as much as technical expertise. - The honorees come from both gas and electric disciplines, showing MEA’s broad reach across utility operations. - John Gann, senior vice president at MEA, said the organization’s strength comes from professionals willing to share time, experience and knowledge to help others succeed. - Gann said the induction recognizes the lasting value of that commitment.

What’s next: - MEA directs readers to more information about the Hall of Fame for additional details. - People can also contact John Gann at johng@MEAenergy.org or (651) 289-9600 x105. - MEA will continue to lean on education, leadership development and professional connections as core parts of its mission.

The bottom line: - MEA’s Hall of Fame is less about ceremony than influence: it recognizes the volunteers and leaders who keep utility education, collaboration and professional development moving forward.