Welcome!
Energetic Women is a new group formed through MEA and we are here to increase awareness of the excellent opportunities for women in the energy industry. There are a lot of plans in the making, but first we would like to introduce you to your Leadership, the services that are available to you right now, and the avenues to share your thoughts or concerns.

Meet Your Leadership!
Chair

Kristine J. Nichols (Kris) is vice president, Engineering for Nicor Gas in the northern third of Illinois. Her responsibilities include pipeline transmission and distribution integrity management, mapping, control systems, pipeline safety and regulatory compliance, environmental safety and compliance, system planning and forecasting, engineering design, technical training, gas measurement, quality assurance, employee safety, and technical support.

In the past, Kris was a sergeant in the US Army Reserves, and also worked at Wisconsin Gas, We-Energies and Kohler Company. She earned a bachelor of science in civil engineering from Marquette University, and a master of science in engineering management from Milwaukee School of Engineering, and is a licensed professional engineer. Kris enjoys hiking, biking, climbing, canoeing and kayaking.

Members-at-Large

Amy Dlugokecki, CPA, is Director of Gas Performance Support for Duke Energy. Her responsibilities include managing the development and conduct of training, public awareness and safety programs, maintaining training records, ensuring compliance with codes and regulations, financial support and continuous improvement.
She received her BSBA from Ohio State University and her MBA from University of Dayton. She currently serves on: the Kentucky Gas Association board of directors and the Lakota Schools Finance Committee. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, her dog Pongo, cheering for Ohio State and gardening.

Lisha Coffey, is Director, Sales and Strategic Accounts, IPL for Alliant Energy. Her areas of responsibility include delivering quality customer service and sales of value-added products and services to Alliant Energy’s largest commercial, industrial and wholesale customers and communities.

Previously, she served as director, compliance and operational performance and communications program manager for Alliant Energy. She received her bachelor of science in Broadcast Journalism from Murray State University, advanced studies degree/media communication from The Broadcast Center and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. The majority of her free time centers on her husband and two daughters, watching and participating in almost all athletic activities, reading and scrap-booking her children’s memories. She also is a freelance producer for ESPN’s coverage of college and professional sporting events.

Mary Palkovich, is Director of Engineering at CenterPoint Energy (CNP) in Minneapolis, MN and is responsible for engineering design and leak survey of 13,000 miles of gas mains and 770,000 service lines, including 220 miles of transmission lines.

Mary’s first job after graduation from Michigan Tech, was in Denver, CO, where she inspected natural gas gathering lines. After a year, she moved to Kansas City for a more challenging position and attended night school at the University of Missouri. She has a degree in Civil Engineering Technology from Michigan Technological University and a bachelor’s degree in Math and Computer Science from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Mary grew up in suburban Detroit, one of six children. She is married with two daughters, one of whom is 19 and a sophomore in college and the other is 13 years old and is in eighth grade. She and her husband have a cabin in northwestern Wisconsin.

Kris Emaus, is Manager of Training, for NiSource, Inc. Her responsibilities include leading the gas and electric technical and leadership training functions, including directing a staff of 45 technical Trainers across six states.

She has been with NiSource, Inc. for 28 years and is active in American Society of Training & Development (ASTD) and Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). She has a B.S. in Business Administration from Michigan Technological University and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. Kris also completed the Indiana University Executive Program in 1996 and is a Sr. Professional in Human Resources, SPHR from SHRM.

Kris is married, with 2 daughters and enjoys spending time with them at their lake house.