Harrod Honored with National Leadership Award

COLUMBUS, OHIO: American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) is pleased to announce that Don Harrod, Village Administrator of the Village of Minster, is a recipient of the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Larry Hobart Seven Hats Award.

Harrod was presented with the award on June 30 during the APPA National Conference, which took place June 26 through July 1 in Boston.

The Larry Hobart Seven Hats Award recognizes utility managers who serve communities of less than 2,500 meters and whose management duties extend well beyond the scope of a manager in a larger system. The Village of Minster is a small community with 1,554 electric meters located in western Ohio. Harrod has served the Village of Minster for 32 years.

“Don Harrod exemplifies the spirit of the Seven Hats Award,” said Jolene Thompson, AMP President and CEO. “He is a dedicated public servant who is deeply committed to his community and to public power. He is highly deserving of this honor, and we are pleased to see him receive national recognition for his exceptional service and dedication.”

As Village Administrator, Harrod oversees all of the village’s utility services. Under his leadership, the village has undertaken numerous infrastructure improvements projects, including improvements to the village’s electric distribution system, various energy initiatives, water system infrastructure upgrades and more. He works closely with civil engineers and architects to ensure that these projects are technically sound while also aligning with the village’s aesthetic characteristics. As the village’s longest-tenured employee, he has served as the foundation for village operations and has significantly influenced Minster’s growth over the years. He serves as Minster’s delegate to the Auglaize County Regional Planning Commission and is a member of the Community Improvement Corporation, where he provides strategic planning direction and expertise in the area of economic development.

“For 32 years now, Don Harrod has served as Administrator for the Village of Minster,” said Minster Mayor Craig Oldiges. “His positive attitude, unmatched expertise and relentless drive toward excellence have kept the village on the right track. As a community, we are incredibly lucky to have him at the wheel.”

In September 2025, Harrod was also named the AMP Seven Hats Award winner during the AMP Annual Conference in Columbus. The AMP Seven Hats Award, initiated in 1984, was modeled after APPA’s award.

APPA is the service organization for the nation’s more than 2,000 community-owned electric utilities that serve more than 55 million Americans.

View the official APPA news release here.