Greg Drent—General Manager
Greg Drent joined Shakopee Public Utilities as Electric Superintendent in July 2016 and was appointed Interim General Manager to lead the utilities in 2020. In June 2021, Greg officially became General Manager. Greg came to SPU with twenty years of utility experience. He was previously employed with the City of LeSueur, where he started as an Apprentice Lineman and then moved to Line Foreman before becoming the Electric Director for seven-plus years. In 2015 LeSueur restructured the organization and he was promoted to Public Services Director where he was in charge of the Electric, Water, Wastewater and Street departments. Greg has also served on the board of directors for MMPA (Minnesota Municipal Power Agency). He and his family live in LeSueur.
Click here to contact Greg Drent.
Joseph Adams—Director of Planning and Engineering
Joseph Adams has served the Commission since 1992. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1983 with a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering and received his Professional License in 1991. After graduating from college, Mr. Adams worked for the U.S. Navy’s Facilities Engineering Command in the mobile utility facilities generation and distribution program for nine years in California. He moved back to MN and raised his family in Shakopee.
Click here to contact Joe Adams.
Sharon Walsh—Director of Marketing / Key Accounts/Special Projects
Sharon Walsh, a long-time Shakopee resident, joined SPU in April 2015 as a member of the leadership team. Her career includes prior senior management and marketing director positions in service industries, including CBRE and BI Worldwide. She has strategic account management and customer relations experience. Sharon obtained her B.S. Business Administration degree from MN State University, Mankato, majoring in Marketing with a minor in Design.
Click here to contact Sharon Walsh.
Kelley Willemssen —Director of Finance and Administration
Kelley Willemssen moved to Shakopee in 1994 from South Dakota, joined SPU as the Customer Relations Coordinator in October 2016 and moved into finance in July of 2019. In December of 2021, Kelley was promoted to Director of Finance and Administration. Before joining the utility, Kelley held leadership positions at Cargill and TCF Bank. Kelley obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and then her Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a focus in Data Analytics in 2022.
Click here to contact Kelley Willemssen.
Brad Carlson—Director of Field Operations
Brad Carlson joined SPU in 2006 as Apprentice Lineman. He continued his training and advanced to Journeyman Lineman in 2013, becoming the Assistant Electric Superintendent in 2018. In 2020, Brad stepped in as Interim Electric Superintendent and was instrumental in leading the electric department during a period of significant growth. Brad was officially appointed Electric Superintendent in July 2021. In 2024, Brad was promoted to the newly created position of Director of Field Operations, with oversight for both Water and Electric departments. He resides with his family in Carver.
Click here to contact Brad Carlson.
Philip Dubbe—Director of IT and Technical Services
In April 2023, Philip Dubbe joined SPU and the Leadership Team as IT Director. Prior to that, Philip worked for the City of Shakopee as the IT Infrastructure Administrator for 8 years. His career also includes time with Dell Compellent and Sambatek. Philip’s prior experience with Shakopee and his industry knowledge has been a great asset to SPU. Philip earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from UW-River Falls and his associate degree in Network Administration from Hennepin Technical College. He lives with his family in Waconia.
Click here to contact Philip Dubbe.
