COLUMBUS, OH: The Ohio Municipal Electric Association (OMEA) Board Executive Committee named Michael Beirne as its executive director during their March board meeting.

Beirne joined AMP and OMEA in 1998 and has advocated on behalf of Ohio’s public power communities before state and federal policymakers. Prior to joining OMEA, he worked as a legislative aide in the Ohio House of Representatives to the chair of the public utilities committee. At AMP, he was promoted to Vice President of External Affairs in 2016, where he oversees the organization’s state legislative efforts, communications, publications and event planning. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University, and is a registered lobbyist in Ohio.

“Michael has been an integral part of OMEA for more than two decades and has been instrumental in gains OMEA and public power have made at the Statehouse,” stated OMEA Board President and Dover Mayor Rick Homrighausen.

AMP President/CEO Jolene Thompson noted that “Michael’s experience and knowledge of the inner workings of the Ohio legislature, his understanding of the public power business model and his strong working relationships with our member community officials will serve OMEA well in this capacity.”

Beirne replaced Jolene Thompson who long-held the position of OMEA Executive Director prior to being named AMP President/CEO in April 2020.

Michael Beirne