Distinguished Engineer
Hometown: Brookings
Electrical Engineering ,
Frank R. Knutson was a manager of the Rocky Mountain Generation Cooperative in Fort Collins, Colorado, following his graduation from South Dakota State University. He then began work as general manager for Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association of Denver in 1989. Tri-State supplied wholesale electric power and energy to 34 rural electric distribution cooperatives in Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming. With more than 30 years of experience in the electrical utility industry, Knutson made several contributions to engineering education. He developed and managed various engineering training programs, including the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s rotational engineering programs and advanced degree programs at Washington State University and the University of Colorado. Knutson was a registered professional engineer in the states of Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming and Washington and was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). He served on the board of directors for the Colorado River Energy Distributors Association, Western Power Producers, Mid-West Electric Consumers Association and Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). He also was President of Western States Power Corp.