(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today named Des Moines attorney Sheila K. Tipton to the Iowa Utilities Board.
Tipton, 61, is a shareholder of the Belin McCormick law firm in Des Moines, primarily practicing in the area of the law of essential infrastructure, where she represented energy, telecommunications and water public utilities, renewable energy developers and customers, as well as other business entities, in certification, siting, ratemaking, rulemaking, merger, reorganization, compliance and other litigated proceedings before state and federal administrative agencies and in the state and federal courts.
She begins her new role on August 19, 2013.
"Sheila Tipton brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Iowa Utilities Board, and I am pleased she is taking on this important role for the state," said Gov. Branstad. "As we develop regulatory policies that promote energy production, and provide for the preservation and improvement of important infrastructure in Iowa, while protecting consumers, her perspective and voice will be extremely valuable."
Tipton is listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of Energy, Communications and Administrative Law (1991-present.) She was awarded Best Lawyers' 2012 Des Moines Communications Law Lawyer of the Year. She is involved in numerous community and professional activities, including the Downtown Community Alliance and Energy Bar Association.
"I am excited to begin my work on the Iowa Utilities Board," said Tipton. "Regulatory policy, including energy policy, is vitally important to Iowa's future, and affects everyone. I want to ensure Iowa's families, schools, businesses and nonprofits have access to regulatory policy and standards they deserve."
Tipton is replacing Swati Dandekar, who resigned from the board earlier this month.
Tipton and her husband, William L. Dawe, reside in Clive. They have four sons.
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