FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011
CONTACT: Leah Mohr, deputy executive director, South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, (605) 773-3201 or (605) 280-4327 

Kristie Fiegen becomes a South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner 

PIERRE, S.D. – Kristie Fiegen took the oath of office to become a South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner on Aug. 9, 2011. Fiegen was appointed by Gov. Dennis Daugaard to fill a vacancy on the commission. Her term extends through 2012.

The formal ceremony was held at the State Capitol in Pierre with Judge Lori Wilbur administering the oath.

The vacancy on the commission filled by Fiegen was created when Commissioner Steve Kolbeck resigned in June, before the completion of his term, to take a job in the private sector.

Fiegen comes to the PUC with 17 years of leadership experience as the president of Junior Achievement of South Dakota. Her public service career includes four terms in the South Dakota House of Representatives, from 1993 to 2001.

"This is an amazing opportunity that I accept with sincerity and purpose," Fiegen stated. "I am honored to be serving South Dakota in this role and look forward to helping strengthen our state's utility infrastructure and maintain safe, reliable and affordable utilities for our citizens," she said.

Fiegen joins Chairman Gary Hanson and Vice Chairman Chris Nelson on the commission.

"Kristie is an energetic and articulate person," Hanson remarked. "Her administrative experience at Junior Achievement and her legislative experience will serve her well as a public utilities commissioner."

Nelson agreed with Hanson's assessment. "I have known Kristie for a number of years and am confident she will handle the responsibilities of a PUC commissioner with intelligence and integrity," he said. "I'm pleased she has joined the commission."

Fiegen grew up on her family's farm near Chancellor, S.D. She earned a bachelor's degree in commercial economics and agricultural business from South Dakota State University and a master's degree in business administration from the University of South Dakota. Fiegen and her husband, Tim, live in Sioux Falls with their sons, Alexander and Jackson.

Visit the PUC's Web site at www.puc.sd.gov for more information about the agency and its commissioners. 

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Contact the PUC at PUCNews@state.sd.us to request a high-resolution photograph of Commissioner Fiegen.