Meet TERILYN WALLIS
Teri is passionate and experienced in providing education and consultative services to electric utilities and cooperatives in a way that is down to earth, practical, and builds rapport. She has over 26 years of experience working both in and with electric utilities and cooperatives across the nation to help solve and support their business needs. Her depth of knowledge comes from a deep understanding through her work in roles and responsibilities she has held and through the support and guidance of consultative services. The foundation of her expertise stems from the areas of finance and accounting and expands into numerous areas and rises to an overarching view and understanding of the business functions, governance and strategies needed for continued success. She is a skilled planner ranging from the broad outcomes of facilitating strategy sessions to the details of building a roadmap to the future to forecasting the financial impacts. Ultimately and critical to bringing these efforts together she is experienced and passionate about building business plans that coordinate, communicate and document the future direction.
Photo credit -Tell A Story Photography
Teri is motivated to deliver and develop engaging and practical educational workshops and programming designed to meet the needs of employees and directors through a down to earth approach. Sharing and building knowledge and understanding with attendees, who can use that information to help the success of their organizations is what fuels her.
Teri reaches program attendees and boards of directors with her high energy, interactive approach, and by integrating proven methods for adult learning into her material.
Teri’s work experiences include working at the national level as a Regional Vice President for National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) where she has been an instructor in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Cooperative Financial Professional Certificate (CFPC) and Management Internship Program (MIP) programs. Her topics include equity management, financial and other related policies, and the key ratio trend analysis (KRTA). Teri was integral in developing, writing and presenting three levels of CFC’s KRTA Certification courses. In addition, she has served as a key presenter in various topic areas for CFC Director workshops, preconference and breakout sessions at the Independent Borrowers Executive Summit (IBES) and the CFC Forum. She is highly skilled in the planning functions of 10-year forecasting, capital and annual budgeting, and facilitated numerous strategic planning sessions each year as a highly regarded CFC employee.
Prior to working at the national level, Teri was a long-time Chief Financial Officer at an electric cooperative that served over 20,000 members, provided diversified services of propane and security services and was even a taxable cooperative for a few years. She understands the effects and interrelated challenges that go along with owning additional business entities, tax ramifications, and rate design and the establishment of margin expectations.
In addition, Teri worked as a Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer for an electric cooperative that was deploying broadband and had natural gas and propane gas subsidiaries. She provided comprehensive solutions to shift the financial status of the organization to a significantly stronger position, while providing education on the philosophies and impact decisions have on the finances long-term. One of the solutions included the partial sale of a business that provided cash flow, relief of future financial burdens, and the coordination of a lien release and waiver with the Rural Utility Service.
Teri is invested in the development and success of all staff and supports the continual development of a positive work setting for all employees. Teri is an advocate for employee training and development plans, open and honest communication between supervisors and managers and their employees, setting goals and expectations for all employees and monitoring achievement, and has a laser focus on the safety and well-being of employees. These values have translated to updated policies, investigation and response to complaints in the workplace, establishment of a drug policy that is equitable, elimination of bullying, and engagement in full compensation evaluations that coordinate job descriptions to salary ranges. Having a strong, knowledgeable, respected team of employees is a top priority for Teri.
Teri has extensive experience working with the governance and executive leadership of utilities and cooperatives helping to align their future with plans and initiatives for continued success.
She also has finance and accounting experiences in other industries, making her a well-rounded financial professional.
Teri’s education includes a Doctorate of Education (EdD) in adult education from Capella University, Minneapolis, Minnesota, a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Finance from the University of St.Thomas, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin – Superior. In 2009, Teri completed the NRECA Management Internship Program at UW-Madison Center for Professional and Executive Development.
Away from work, Teri and her husband, Mike, enjoy time as a family with their two children, work with their labrador retriever dogs and enjoy the outdoors. Teri prioritizes her community through current and past service to the 4-H program, a local library board, certified Fair Judge, and being a Chief Election Inspector and worker.