For The Herald

Jerry McCarthy, general manager of Austin Utilities, has received two honorary awards from the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA). McCarthy was presented an Honorary Lifetime Membership and the President’s Award at the MMUA annual meeting, Aug. 24 at Arrowwood in Alexandria.

Jerry McCarthy has worked for Austin Utilities since 1980. He has held various positions, from storehouse room clerk to Director of Administrative Services. He was named general manager in December 1999.

McCarthy was active and a leader in MMUA. He served as an MMUA board member for six years and was MMUA president from 2004-2005. He is also a board member of the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency and a past president of the Minnesota Blue Flame Gas Association. He has also been active in a number of other industry and local organizations and on various MMUA committees.

The President’s Award is MMUA’s highest honor. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding achievement and service to the association and to the municipal utility industry.

The MMUA Honorary Lifetime Membership acknowledges a long professional life dedicated not only to the advancement of municipal power locally, but also for the betterment of the industry on a statewide basis.

MMUA was formed in 1931. It represents the interests of Minnesota’s 126 municipally-owned electric and 31 municipally-owned natural gas utilities.