Ron Mumaw – MISO

Ron Mumaw is the distinguished director of real estate and facilities at Midcontinent Independent System Operator, or MISO. His journey into real estate and facilities began with a background in architectural and design firms, where he discovered his passion for problem-solving and creating order out of chaos. Over the years, Mumaw has built an impressive career, bringing his expertise to MISO, an organization responsible for delivering safe and cost-effective electric power across 15 U.S. states and the Canadian province of Manitoba.

“We keep the lights on for the people who keep the lights on for the millions of people we serve,” Mumaw says. “It’s a service and people-first mentality, which ultimately means the organization is better equipped to handle anything that comes our way.” 

Under Mumaw’s leadership, MISO has earned the accolade of being one of the Best Places to Work in Indiana for 2024. This recognition is a testament to Mumaw and his team’s dedication to creating a working environment that ensures reliability and efficiency, enabling MISO to effectively serve its millions of customers. 

Commitment to integrity and excellence 

One of Mumaw’s significant contributions to MISO has been transforming their office space into a Smart Office environment. This project began a few years before the COVID-19 pandemic, as the company recognized the need to reevaluate its office space utilization. Through research and collaboration with a third-party company, MISO discovered that employees were spending significant time in conference rooms, leading to a shortage.

Over five years, Mumaw and his team renovated the environment, added conference rooms, and worked towards transitioning fully into a Smart Office setup. The final floor renovation was completed just as the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020. Despite the pandemic, MISO never closed its facility and has now asked employees to return to the office at least three days a week. 

With many new employees who have never been in the building, MISO is working hard to train and familiarize these hires with the new smart office environment. Training classes have been set up to introduce employees to the guidelines and teach them how to navigate the many new workspaces, from standing tables to cubicles to couches and conference rooms. 

“It’s been key for us to create multiple environments so people can find the place that best fits their needs for that day or week,” Mumaw says. “We know this will be an ongoing process that will require us to continue monitoring, particularly over the first 60-90 days. We’ll continue to analyze and adjust the space accordingly as people acclimate to the space.” 

As MISO looks to the future, Mumaw’s team continues to ensure their control centers are ready and reliable to support the utility grid across their 43 million customer base. They also maintain a robust preventive and predictive maintenance program, which includes a 15-year plan for replacing critical environment equipment. 

Empowering employees 

Flexibility and adaptability are key components of MISO’s office environment. The company has increased the number of conference rooms of various sizes across all floors. Additionally, MISO provides amenities such as a fitness center with training classes, café spaces, an on-site health clinic, and improved outdoor spaces with covered areas that double as departmental meeting areas.

Mumaw leads a team of seven, supported by a full complement of contracted service providers who help maintain MISO’s critical and non-critical environments. Despite their facilities’ extensive NERC and FERC requirements, the team thrives on collaboration and mutual support. “We believe that none of us is as smart as all of us, meaning we are truly better together,” Mumaw says. 

MISO’s philosophy of excellence achieved through people underscores their commitment to hiring and retaining top talent. The organization fosters a collaborative environment where team members work toward common goals, delivering shared results. Employees are encouraged to bring their best selves to work, contribute their unique talents, and continually learn and grow. 

For Mumaw, the hardest part of his job is managing the unknown. However, this is also what he loves most about his role.  

“Facilities work is never the same day-to-day; each day presents a new challenge in support of the built environment,” Mumaw says.  

His extensive background in design and experience in facilities across multiple countries have expanded his personal knowledge and professional experiences, allowing him to adapt to ever-changing needs. 

Mumaw and his team continue to focus on ensuring their control centers are ready, reliable, and able to support MISO’s utility grid. They maintain a robust preventive and predictive maintenance program, including a 15-year plan for replacing critical environment equipment. By prioritizing employee needs and staying flexible, MISO, under Mumaw’s leadership, is well-equipped to face future challenges and continue its mission of delivering safe and cost-effective electric power. 

Continuous growth 

Mumaw’s journey into real estate and facilities management began after graduating from Purdue University, where he worked in architectural and design firms. These early experiences provided a solid foundation for understanding the built environment and the intricacies of managing facilities.

Mumaw’s realization that he could blend his problem-solving skills with a profession in real estate and facilities management came about serendipitously. While consulting with a friend in HR on a facility manager job description, he saw a perfect match for his skills and aspirations. His knack for making sense of chaos and creating order found a natural fit in this field. 

Throughout his career, Mumaw has had the privilege of working in 26 countries. This extensive international experience has enabled him to forge relationships with diverse professionals, enriching his perspective and expertise. 

In addition to his professional achievements, Mumaw has a rich personal life. In 2006, he received the Distinguished Hoosier Award from then-Governor Mitch Daniels for his Ride Across America effort, raising funds for DSI, Inc., American Diabetes, and Breast Cancer Research through a cross-country bicycle trip. This accomplishment highlights his dedication to philanthropy and his commitment to making a positive impact beyond his professional life. 

Mumaw has been married to his wife, Melissa, for 37 years, and they have three daughters.  

“My family is a cornerstone of my life,” he says. “They provide me with support and inspiration and have throughout my career,” he says.