Welcome Our New Board Members

Jennifer (Jen) Harding
Vice President, Tax, NiSource

Jennifer Harding is an experienced tax leader creating value for shareholders and customers in various roles with companies in the energy and manufacturing sectors.  Jennifer’s domestic and international experience includes tax accounting & reporting, compliance, forecasting, mergers & acquisitions, controversy management, transfer pricing, tax accounting methods & credits, defining tax requirements and design for systems implementation and non-income taxes.  Additionally, Jennifer serves as a tax witness in various hearings before the state commissions for NiSource’s affiliates rate cases.    

Jennifer joined NiSource Inc., a regulated natural gas and electric utility company, in 2020 as the Director of Income Tax Operations.  Prior to joining NiSource, Jennifer held various positions in the manufacturing sector from 2013 to 2019 as the Director Tax for Hyperion Materials & Technologies, Inc. based in Columbus, Ohio, the Director of International Tax Operations for Cardinal Health based in Columbus, Ohio and the EMEA Tax Manager for Mead Johnson Nutrition BV based Amsterdam Netherlands.  From 2009 to 2012, Jennifer worked for Exelon Corporation based in Chicago, IL and Constellation Energy (acquired by Exelon Corp in 2012) based in Baltimore, MD as Tax Manager for the regulated electric company and nuclear generation segment.  Prior to Constellation Energy, Jennifer worked for KPMG LLP based in Baltimore, MD for six years.  She received her bachelor's degree from Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore, Maryland.     

Jennifer sits on the board of NiSource Insurance Corporation Inc. and is a member of the Tax Executive Institute, Edison Electric Institute and serves as a member of the Tax Advisor Counsel for the American Gas Association.

Jeff Minnick
Manufacturing Operations Manager, Swagelok Company

Jeff Minnick has spent his career in manufacturing, with specialties in management, administration and finance. He’s held a variety of positions with Swagelok, a $2 billion, privately held global developer and provider of high-quality and reliable fluid system solutions, located in Solon, Ohio. Currently, he serves as their Manufacturing Operations Manager where he is responsible for one manufacturing and two processing operations.   

Jeff is a two-time graduate from the University of Akron, having earned his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance.  

As the father of a special needs daughter, Jeff has been serving the special needs community for many years. Most recently, he was Treasurer of the Koinonia Homes Board of Trustees. He’s also served on the Boards of Hitchcock Center for Women and United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cleveland.

Fred Watkins
President, National Telephone Supply Company

An active professional, even in his 80s, Fred Watkins is the President of National Telephone Supply Company, a company founded by his grandfather.     

Fred earned his AB from Colby College, an MBA from Cornelle Johnson Graduate School of Business and a JD from Case Western Reserve University.    

Fred is involved with many nonprofit/civic organizations, including Cornel Johnson Graduate School of Business, Case Western Reserve University Law School, Concordia University Foundation (WI), Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland and Western Reserve Society Sons of the American Revolution. Most recently Fred was the Chairman of the Board of Koinonia Homes, a role he held for many years. He’s also served on the board of Lutheran Homes in Westlake, Ohio, and Cleveland Rotary Club.    

Fred and his wife Wilma are the parents of two sons and one daughter. They have six grandchildren.