Event Speaker

Libby Jacobs

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Iowa Utilities Board

Libby Jacobs began serving on the Iowa Utilities Board on May 1, 2011. She was appointed by Governor Terry Branstad to fill a term that runs through April 30, 2017. Additionally, Governor Branstad appointed Jacobs Chair of the Board. She serves in that capacity from May 1, 2011 to April 30, 2015.

 

Jacobs is a National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) member and has been appointed to serve as Co-Vice Chair of NARUC’s Committee on Electricity. Jacobs is also a member of the Subcommittee on Nuclear Issues-Waste Disposal and the Task Force on Environmental Regulation and Generation. Jacobs serves as Vice-President of the Organization of MISO States (OMS) and is a member of the OMS Executive Committee. She is also a member of the MISO Advisory Committee. She is a voting member on the Eastern Interconnection States Planning Council (EISPC). Jacobs serves on the advisory council of the Center for Public Utilities (CPU) at New Mexico State University as well as the advisory board of the Financial Research Institute (FRI). She is also a member of the Mid-America Regulatory Conference (MARC).

 

Prior to joining the Iowa Utilities Board, Jacobs was president of The Jacobs Group, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, board development, community outreach, and fund development.  Previously, she was Director of Community Relations for the Principal Financial Group.  In addition, Jacobs’ career includes professional and management-level positions in the telecommunications and non-profit industries.

 

Jacobs served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 1994 to 2008. She was elected by her peers to serve as Majority Whip for seven years. Jacobs also sat on the Commerce, State Government, and Appropriations Committees.

 

Jacobs has been recognized with several honors, including the 2008 West Des Moines Citizen of the Year, 2008 Drake University Outstanding Master of Public Administration Alumnus Award, 2008 Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Business Leadership Award, 2005 Iowa Grocers Association Legislative Leadership Award, and the 2001 Des Moines Business Record Woman of Influence.

 

Jacobs earned her Bachelor of Arts degree “With Distinction” in political science from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln and a Master’s of Public Administration degree from Drake University. She and her husband, Steve, reside in West Des Moines and have two adult daughters.