June 14, 2022

Cuba City’s director of public works earns national award

Member Utilities

George Morrissey, director of public works for Cuba City, received the Larry Hobart Seven Hats Award during the American Public Power Association’s National Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. The award recognizes a manager who performs a variety of duties in communities of 2,500 or fewer electric meters. These managers have a very small staff and must assume multiple roles. The seven hats they must wear are: planning and design, administration, public relations, field supervision, accounting, human resources, and community leadership.

Morrissey has served in his current position since 2014 and was previously employed for 17 years by another public power utility, Shullsburg Electric Utility. In his current role, Morrissey is responsible for all aspects of public works such as streets, parks and recreation, zoning and planning, code enforcement, duties related to economic development, and management of the water, wastewater, and electric utilities. With decades of experience, Morrissey firmly believes that a successful utility needs to have a suitable workforce, supplied with appropriate equipment and training, in order to properly care for the community it serves — and he is committed to leading by example.

John Van De Wiel, mayor of Cuba City, shared, “George is a very positive person. He feels there is an answer to every situation. He never takes the first, easy answer but takes a ‘180-degree’ approach. He has great communication with his employees and clients.”

Actively involved in the utility industry, Morrissey dedicates a portion of his time and energy to serve as president on the Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin Board of Directors, and he has also been a member of the WPPI Energy Board of Directors for the past eight years. Through involvement in both MEUW and WPPI, Morrissey is doing his part to help ensure that residents, farms, and businesses across the area have access to safe, reliable, and affordable electric service.

“I’ve known George for a long time, and this award is very deserved,” said Cuba City Utility Commission President Tim Hazen. “I was his middle school reading and English teacher and recognized he was destined to be a leader back then. George is one of those individuals who puts his entire self into his job no matter the time or day of the week. He has established himself as a trusted supervisor and has gained the confidence of all employees within the City of Cuba City. His involvement with professional organizations shows his commitment to make Cuba City a better place for its citizens.”