Harry Trebing, one of the eminent authorities on telecommunications and energy policy, served as a professor of economics and founding director of the Michigan State University Institute of Public Utilities. In his director role, serving from 1966 to 1991, Trebing had responsibility for organizing and administering all education programs sponsored by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. He served as chief economist for the U.S. Postal Rate Commission and the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. He also served on advisory panels for the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment, General Accounting Office, U.S. Comptroller General, the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Regulatory Research Institute. He authored numerous publications dealing with public utility regulation and received a National Science Foundation grant to study regulatory reform in energy utilities. He is a recipient of several distinguished service awards from a variety of professional associations and universities. He received a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Maryland and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin.