ACES Power Hour: Conversations on Energy

In this episode of the ACES Power Hour, host Mike Bodnar and Courtney Stooksbury Parker talk with Nate Melby, Dairyland Power Cooperative’s CIO, about Dairyland’s multi-year AI journey. They discuss building Voltwrite (a private generative AI), use cases from retrieval-augmented generation and agentic applications to augmented reality and workforce tools, plus the critical roles of cybersecurity, data protection, and governance. Nate shares practical lessons on adoption, training, and how co-ops can responsibly scale AI to improve efficiency and reliability while protecting critical infrastructure.

Mike Bodnar and Courtney Stooksbury Parker sit down with Indiana Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources Susie Jaworowski to discuss the state’s energy priorities. They cover Indiana’s resource mix, the governor’s focus on reliability and affordability, plans to deploy nuclear (including small modular reactors) through public‑private partnerships, and community education and siting efforts. The episode also addresses data center growth, water stewardship, regulatory and rate challenges, and the upcoming Purdue Nuclear Energy and Economic Summit.

In this episode, Mike and Courtney sit down with Kevin Suhanic, ACES’ Vice President of Portfolio Strategy and Origination, to explore ACES’ Origination services. Their conversation focuses on the requests for proposals (RFP) process that ACES manages on behalf of its Clients and highlights what this process reveals about the ongoing evolution of power markets.

Join hosts Mike Bodnar and Courtney Stooksbury Parker as they sit down with Scott Akin, ACES Executive Director of Natural Gas Trading, to discuss the intricate world of natural gas. With fascinating insights from Akin’s background in meteorology, the episode delves into the vital role of natural gas in balancing energy demands.  

In this episode of the ACES Power Hour, hosts Mike Bodnar and Courtney Stooksbury Parker welcome Mike Steffes, President and CEO of ACES, to discuss the current state of the energy market.

In this episode, hosts Mike Bodnar and Courtney Stooksbury Parker sit down with David Naylor, the President and CEO of Rayburn Electric Cooperative. Discover the fascinating journey of David Naylor, from his roots in Arkansas to becoming CEO of the innovative Rayburn Electric Cooperative.

In this episode of ACES Power Hour, hosts Mike Bodnar and Courtney Stooksbury Parker sit down with Chris Haas, CEO of Meridian Cooperative, to discuss the pivotal role of mentoring in personal and professional development.

In this episode of the ACES Power Hour, hosts Mike Bodnar and Courtney Stooksbury Parker sit down with Annalisa Bloodworth, President and CEO of Oglethorpe Power in Atlanta, Georgia. Annalisa discusses the unique aspects of the cooperative business model in the energy sector and shares insights into her journey from a small-town in Colorado to leading one of the largest electric cooperatives in the U.S.

Join hosts Mike Bodnar and Courtney Stooksbury Parker in this episode of the ACES Power Hour as they dive into the world of renewable/green energy with Mike Keyser, CEO of the National Renewable Cooperative Organization (NRCO). Mike shares his riveting journey from Seattle law student to American Samoa and beyond. Discover the challenges and innovations in the renewable/green energy industry, including the development of solar, wind, and cutting-edge technologies. Explore the impact of current political landscapes on the industry, the role of tax incentives, and the push for long-duration storage solutions. This insightful conversation also reveals NRCO's mission to track clean energy advancements and support cooperatives in their sustainable initiatives. Tune in for a glimpse into the future of energy with industry experts dedicated to powering change.

In this episode of the ACES Power Hour Podcast, hosts Mike Bodnar and Courtney Stooksbury Parker delve into the intriguing and complex world of cybersecurity with special guest Michael Moore, ACES' Manager of Cybersecurity. Moore shares his unconventional journey from a political science graduate to cybersecurity professional, offering insights into both industry-wide and personal cybersecurity challenges. Join the conversation as Moore discusses the evolving landscape of cyber threats, the impact of major incidents like the CrowdStrike outage, and the crucial role of cybersecurity in the energy sector. Discover how AI is transforming cyberattack strategies and learn about the essential practices for safeguarding both corporate and personal data. From participating in hacking exercises to handling real-world cyber incidents, Moore provides an inside look at how he stays one step ahead of cyber adversaries, ensuring the resilience of critical infrastructure. Tune in to explore the proactive measures and community support that shape the fight against cyber crime.

In this episode of the ACES Power Hour: Conversations on Energy Podcast, hosts Mike Bodnar and Courtney Stooksbury Parker welcome Max Vido, ACES' senior meteorologist, to discuss all things weather-related. Dive into the fascinating world of meteorology and discover how weather plays a crucial role in the energy sector. Max shares his journey into meteorology, explores long-term weather forecasting, and offers insights into what we can expect for the upcoming winter. Learn how meteorologists at ACES provide added value through detailed analyses that inform trading decisions. From making sense of spaghetti models in hurricane tracking to understanding the uses of AI in weather predictions, this episode promises to enlighten anyone curious about the power of weather forecasting. Whether you love snowstorms or are curious about AI's role in weather prediction, this episode offers a rich blend of science, passion, and weather wisdom.

Welcome to the first episode of the ACES Power Hour podcast, where hosts Mike Bodnar and Courtney Stooksbury Parker dive into the complexities of the energy industry. This inaugural episode features an enlightening conversation with Will Vance, who shares his journey and experiences at ACES, an energy risk management company owned by electric cooperatives. Join us as Will discusses his passion for resource planning, the challenges of modeling future energy scenarios, and the importance of data-driven decision-making in the energy sector. Explore topics such as the role of gas and nuclear energy, the impact of regulatory changes, and the potential of emerging technologies like small modular reactors and hydrogen. Discover how ACES is adapting to the evolving energy landscape by leveraging expert insights and innovative modeling techniques to forecast long-term power prices and drive strategic decisions. Tune in to learn more about the fascinating world of energy risk management and what the future might hold for the industry.