Dairyland Power Cooperative has named Jennifer Shilling to the position of Government Relations Manager, effective June 1, 2020.
“Dairyland is pleased to add Jennifer Shilling to our government relations team,” said Barbara Nick, President and CEO. “Jennifer’s record of service to the people of western Wisconsin is well known, including her positive, proven ability to work with lawmakers of both parties. Those capabilities will be an asset to Dairyland’s cooperative membership, as we continue to work for safe, sustainable and reliable power in our four-state service area.”
Shilling will be an integral part of Dairyland’s government relations team, developing and implementing Dairyland’s legislative, regulatory and member relations strategies at the state and federal level.
“I am happy to join Dairyland and bring my experience on energy and utility issues to the members and service area of the region. It is an exciting time in the energy industry and I look forward to developing strategies that reflect Dairyland’s commitment to communities now and into the future,” said Shilling. “I have enjoyed my experience serving western Wisconsin in the State Senate. Through this new opportunity, I can continue to serve residents and rural communities in the essential service of delivering electricity to businesses, homes, schools and healthcare facilities.”
Shilling recently resigned from the Wisconsin legislature to explore career opportunities after representing the 32nd Senate District since 2011. Elected by her colleagues as the Senate Democratic Leader, Shilling worked tirelessly on behalf of residents in La Crosse, Vernon and Crawford counties, as well as a portion of Monroe county.
Shilling previously served as the State Representative for the 95th Assembly District and worked as a legislative aide to State Representative Mark Meyer and Congressman Ron Kind. She is a graduate of UW-La Crosse and a former La Crosse County Supervisor.
During her years in the Wisconsin State Senate, Shilling served as a ranking member on the Joint Committee on Finance. She also served on the Senate Committee on Government Operations, Public Works and Telecommunications and was the ranking Democratic member of the Senate Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges.
Aligning with her passion for public service, Shilling is an active community servant with past and present representation on many local and regional boards, including: UW-La Crosse Alumni Association Board of Directors (past president), La Crosse Area Habitat for Humanity Women Build (honorary chair), La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce, La Crosse County Local Emergency Planning Committee, Vernon Women’s Alliance and Viroqua Chamber Main Street.