Navigating a Dynamic Industry
Ewell Lawson is the Program Director for the Financial Research Institute (FRI) at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. FRI advances unbiased research, education, and collaboration for sound, innovative public utility policy and regulation.
The modern utility landscape demands more than just expertise: It requires forward-thinking leaders equipped to navigate complex regulatory shifts, market dynamics, and technological advancements.
From June 2-5, 2025, the Financial Research Institute (FRI) at the University of Missouri hosted its Regulated Utilities Leadership Institute (RULI), a four-day, in-person program designed to empower practitioners across electricity, natural gas, and water sectors. Participants emerged with a deeper understanding of regulatory influence on investment and operations, strategies for adapting to industry changes, and a valuable professional network essential for tomorrow’s challenges.
This year’s RULI cohort welcomed utility and industry decision makers, commissioners, and regulatory commission staff from a broad geographic subset of the industry, hailing from Wisconsin, New Mexico, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Colorado, and California. Their diverse backgrounds enriched discussions, fostering a rich, collaborative learning environment highly praised by attendees. Indeed, one participant noted, “Overall one of the best trainings I have attended.”