National Conference

Friday, June 10

Public Power Day of Giving

City of Gallatin Park/Highway Clean Up (volunteers must be age 8+) - 
PROJECT IS FULL
Volunteers will work to restore, maintain, and beautify parks and roads in the City of Gallatin. Volunteers will work outdoors helping to clean up trash and debris, and performing light yardwork in parks and along highways in this public power community. 

Sunday, June 12

Preconference Seminars

All seminars require an additional fee

Drawing and Maintaining the Line Between Board and CEO 
Over the past 20 years, all nonprofit organizations have struggled with defining and honoring the lines of demarcation between their board’s and their CEO’s respective responsibilities. Public power is no different. In an industry where the first 100 years were marked by little change and its biggest challenges were operational, the governing board’s role was often limited to purchasing approvals and ribbon cuttings. Today, as public power is undergoing a transformation that runs the gamut of technological, social, and political factors — governing boards have never played a more important role. 

Examine the importance of a high performing board and the intersection between board members, the utility CEO, utility staff, and other critical stakeholders. Discuss how to foster strong communication and clearly delineate responsibilities regarding who is responsible for strategy and other gray areas. Reflect on the theory and the realities of governance, to ensure the needs and interests of stakeholders are understood and acted upon and support individual board members acting in harmony with - yet autonomous from - the rest of the board. 

Topics: 

• Trends affecting public power governance
• Tips for updating and outlining roles 
• Communication strategies 
• Public power case studies

Steve VanderMeer, Consultant

Turning the Lights Back on Stronger and Brighter: Disaster Recovery and Resilience Funding 
Explore the critical role that organizational leadership plays in enabling the utility to access the full spectrum of mitigation and recovery funding available before and after disasters. Learn about the different types of funding available, which key players are involved in each part of the process, and how to apply for the various funding streams. Then — using real-life case studies to demonstrate successes and failures — learn how utilities can set themselves up for success when applying for and using funds from the various programs.

Topics: 

• Types of grant funding available for utilities
• Hallmarks of successful applications
• Foundational steps to increase chances of being successfully funded
• Key pre, during, and post-disaster activities to maximize and secure recovery funding
• Tips for achieving efficient and complete financial recovery

Collin Emery, PMP, CFE, Senior Accountant, Camille Mackey, Senior Consultant, Shivani Patel, CPA, Manager, and Chris Terry, PMP, CFE, Senior Manager – Forensic & Integrity Service, Ernst & Young LLP

Electric Vehicles: Preparing for Transportation Electrification
The electric vehicle market is expanding, changing how your customers will use electricity and what charging options they expect to see in your community. Get a complete view of the latest charging technology options and learn how other public power utilities are collaborating with charging industry partners, working with commercial customers to support electric fleets, and incorporating EVs into smart city concepts. 
Dive into the considerations for modeling your community’s future needs. From home-based charging to public fast chargers and accommodating fleets, review which charging ownership and incentive models fit your utility’s profile. Discuss where and how to access funding to develop EV-related infrastructure and review options for rate design. Gain insight from one utility’s practical experience in implementing a wide array of EV initiatives, including engaging with different parts of the supply chain and designing programs that support equitable access to EVs. 

Topics: 

• Electric vehicle market trends & forecasts
• Considerations in deploying charging infrastructure
• Funding opportunities for public power
• Designing rates and setting prices for EV charging

Cameron Freberg, Utility Strategist, Austin Energy, Texas; Dave Roberts, Senior Consultant, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation; and Patricia Taylor, Senior Manager, Regulatory Policy & Business Programs, American Public Power Association

Preconference Seminars

All seminars require an additional fee

Financial Planning and Using Federal Funds for a Transformative Future 
Billions of dollars in new funding are available for states, local governments, and utilities to help economic recovery and grid modernization efforts. Review the opportunities available for public power to secure financial support for critical capital needs through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the American Rescue Plan, from updating power lines to installing a network of electric vehicle charging stations and enhancing grid security. 
Learn how these funding opportunities might affect utilities’ financial planning, including which key financial policies to review, considerations for redesigning rates, and how to manage federal funds to make a lasting impact on the lives of the people in the community.   

Topics:

• Key targets for financial planning: operating income, cash reserves, debt coverage ratio
• Incorporating federal funding and capital planning into a long-term financial solution
• Proper accounting for contributed capital on federal funding and how that translates into rates
• Industry trends affecting metering and rate structures, including how EV rates, demand charges, and dynamic pricing fit into federal funding opportunities

Mark Beauchamp, President, Dawn Lund, Vice President, and Chris Lund, Financial, Business & Technology Consultant, Utility Financial Solutions

How to Build and Resource a Cybersecurity Program 
As cybersecurity threats evolve and become more acute, utility boards and executive teams and their associated municipalities are prioritizing their cybersecurity programs and practices. Learn how to cost-efficiently build, resource, and sustain a cyber program that’s right-sized for the utility. Review which elements are critical for any program, and what aspects fall into the category of “nice to have.” Walk through case studies for both a larger and smaller utility to break down the steps involved in developing an effective cybersecurity program and how each can keep the program adequately supported.  

Topics:

• Top cyber risks for utilities and municipalities
• Elements of an effective cybersecurity program
• Resourcing and support options – what to keep internal, what’s available externally
• Tools, guidance, and reference information 

Doug Westlund, Senior Vice President, AESI – US, Inc. 
 

The Future May Be Distributed: The Promise and Challenge of DERs
Between decreasing costs to increasing incentives and increasing concerns about climate change and resilience, individuals and businesses are seeing more potential for deploying distributed energy resources. Discuss how utilities can position themselves for a future with high levels of DERs, from understanding the value-creation opportunities these technologies provide to laying the groundwork for planning for a system that incorporates DERs. Learn what needs to be updated in grid architecture, including cybersecurity protocols, and where increased coordination will be necessary to maximize the value and minimize the impacts to the grid.  

Topics: 

• The value of DERs in the wholesale market, for utilities, and in customer settings
• Different DER technologies and how they could affect the grid
• Best practices for incorporating renewables and DERs 
• Planning models being adopted by grid operators, states, and utilities
• How to assign value to DERs in the planning process

Peter Kelly-Detwiler, Principal, Northbridge Energy Partners

Women in Public Power Reception

Join the women thought leaders, policymakers, and innovators shaping public power for networking and drinks. Make new friends, share stories, and enjoy great conversations.

Welcome Reception

Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks while you reconnect with old friends, meet new people, and network with other public power leaders. All conference participants and guests are welcome.

Monday, June 13

Morning Conversations

Start your morning by joining friends and colleagues in small group discussions. 

• Advocating for Public Power
• Moving Public Power Forward
• Strengthening Grid Security
• Promoting Organizational Excellence

Industry Innovations Expo open

Opening General Session

• Welcome to Tennessee
  The Honorable Bill Hagerty, United States Senate

• Public Power’s Challenges and Opportunities
  Utility leaders are taking on the enormous challenge of changing and modernizing the century-old electric grid. While many challenges might seem new, some continue from decades past, but now require a modern approach. From new sources to grid security and shifting political winds, walk through the opportunities public power leaders can harness to meet this moment – from funding to coordination efforts and beyond. 

  Joy Ditto, President and CEO, American Public Power Association
  
  

• Political News and Views from Washington
  Dive into the connection between what happens in Washington, D.C. and what American people and organizations experience. As a trusted veteran White House and congressional correspondent, anchor, and analyst for some of the country’s leading media outlets, Geoff Bennett possesses a natural ability to cut through the noise and offer a detailed, smart, non-partisan analysis on the latest in Washington. Hear his expert insight into the “what” and “why” of U.S. politics, as well as how the political issues that are the source of heated debates between lawmakers and the leading stories on news programs nationwide might affect life in your community.

  Geoff Bennett, PBS NewsHour Chief Washington Correspondent & Weekend Anchor
  
  
   

Break with Sponsors (Industry Innovations Expo) 

Breakout Sessions

1. Keeping Up with Climate and Environmental Policy
   The Biden administration has taken several climate and environmental policy actions with implications for public power. Discuss what opportunities and challenges might lie ahead, including potential regulatory pathways for power plant emissions rules and how the administration could incorporate environmental justice in rulemakings, policies, and activities to address communities that experience disproportionate health, environmental, and climate-related effects. 
   
   Carolyn Slaughter, Director, Environmental Policy, American Public Power Association
    
2. Using Federal Funds for a Transformative Future 
   Review the opportunities available for public power to secure financial support for critical capital needs through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the American Rescue Plan. Get an overview on steps utilities can take in advance to prepare for applying for funds and financial policies you may need to update and have in place to ensure you are ready to use funds.
   
   Dawn Lund, Vice President, Utility Financial Solutions
    
3. The Problems and Possibilities of Green Hydrogen
   Get a first-hand account of how public power utilities are getting involved in efforts to understand and apply this exciting new technology for a variety of energy applications. From production to storage and beyond, discuss the challenges, opportunities, benefits, and costs of utility scale green hydrogen today and what value it could offer in the future.
   
   Sam Choi, Director, Strategy & Planning, Orlando Utilities Commission, Florida; Gary Ivory, General Manager, Public Utility District No. 1 of Douglas County, Washington; and Patricia Taylor, Senior Manager, Regulatory Policy & Business Programs, American Public Power Association
    
4. Don’t Get Foiled by FEMA Reimbursement 
   Get a refresher on the FEMA reimbursement process, including what you should do ahead of time, what’s involved in applying for reimbursement, and how to ensure appropriate reimbursement for your utility. Discover resources that can help you with the process.  
   
   Gabrielle Benigni, President, Disaster Programs & Operations, Inc.
    
5. Strategic Risk Management 
   Today’s business environment requires a shift from tactical risk management to strategic risk management. Explore what this difference in approach looks like and how public power utilities are making this transition in their plans and practices. Swap strategies for changing the culture and applying a strategic risk approach at your utility. 
   
   Dan Aschenbach, Principal, AGVP Advisory; and Adrienne Lotto Walker, Vice President and Chief Risk & Resilience Officer, New York Power Authority
    
6. Communicating the Public Power Advantage
   It’s vital that public power utilities regularly remind their customers what it means to be served by a public power utility. Highlighting the not-for-profit, customer service motivation that drives your local utility is a message that needs to be delivered year-round to be effective. Hear how public power utilities are actively and continually sharing positive public power messages – and emphasizing why their communities should care. 
   
   Doug Peebles, Director, Ocala Electric Utility, Florida; and Jennifer Rogers Smith, Director of Member Services, Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority
    

7. Mobilizing “Monsters” to Engage Kids in Energy Efficiency
   Meet the EnergyRight® Monsters – Breaker, Bolt, Newton, Spark and Watt. Created by TVA and its partners, this zany cast of characters helps kids learn where energy comes from, how it’s used in the home, and how steps they can take to reduce their energy use throughout their home. Hear take aways from the program, best practices, and discuss opportunities to engage kids in energy efficiency through experiential learning and community-based social marketing.  

   Samantha Hart, Director of Innovation & Development, and Jim Purcell, Consultant, Milepost Consulting; and Melissa Martin, Program Manager, Energy Education, and Frank Rapley, Senior Manager, EnergyRight, Tennessee Valley Authority
    

8. DERs, EVs and the Prepared Utility
   Distributed generation, electrification of transportation, energy storage technology and connected consumer technologies are here, and will disrupt every aspect of the utility business. Find out how preparation and management are key to seizing the opportunities—and avoiding the threats—that these distributed energy resources bring with them. Topics will include assessing and preparing your distribution grid for DERs and EVs; making behind-the meter DERs serve as reliable grid assets; leveraging both rates and control for effective management; integrating operational data from DERs and EVs; and putting customers first with reliability, affordability, and convenience.

   Andrew Mitchell, Director of Utility Solutions, and Jeremy Wilson, Senior Director, Product Marketing, Tantalus
    

Lunch (on your own)

Breakout Sessions

9. From Congress to Your Community 
   Review the issues facing Congress this year and how any federal actions could affect your utility and community. Learn how you can add your voice to the advocacy the American Public Power Association is leading to protect and advance public power’s interests on issues ranging from climate change to transmission, comparable incentives, pole attachments, and implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 
   
   Desmarie Waterhouse, Vice President, Government Relations, John Godfrey, Corry Marshall, and Amy Thomas, Senior Government Relations Directors, and Sarah Mathias, Government Relations Director, American Public Power Association

10. ESG and Sustainability Reporting for Public Power 
    Environmental, social, and governance, or ESG, reporting is becoming more detailed but few best practice guidelines for utilities exist. Discuss which factors public power utility leaders see as warranting disclosure to investors and other stakeholders, whether they adhere to an ESG reporting standard, and where and how often such reporting should be updated. 
    
    Marc Bauer, Partner, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe; and Cindy Wu, Senior Director – Public Finance, Kroll Bond Rating Agency

11. Keeping Top Talent 
    As organizations are increasingly challenged to keep high performers and retain valued institutional knowledge, leaders need to take a close look at a mix of challenges and imperatives that are influencing the way the future workforce is being shaped. Delve into the key differentiators that organizations need to put into place to overcome common mistakes and the outmoded practices leaders can scrap to equip and optimize their workforce. 
    
    Dr. Trish Holliday, Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Services, Nashville Electric Service, Tennessee

12. Transforming Your Business Results: How Safety Leadership Drives Culture Change 
    You are a senior executive at your organization and believe you and your peers espouse “Safety as a value” as a key part of your interactions with the organization. You’ve seen OSHA recordable injury rates improve over the last few years and have a confidence that the safety systems are in place to continue that performance. You get a call in the middle of the night and learn one of your front-line employees has fallen to his death. After ensuring the right levers are pulled to react accordingly, you have a moment to reflect and ask yourself – “how could this have happened here?”  Attend this session to learn how it can happen and, most importantly what you can be doing now before you get this kind of phone call.

    David Libby, Partner, Krause Bell Group

13. Understanding Board Roles and Responsibilities 
    Review what board members need to know to work effectively with the CEO and executive team to define a better future for the utility. Cover how to structure governance and board processes so that boards can stay focused on setting strategic direction for the utility, keeping it on mission, and ensuring long-term sustainability. Discuss how to prepare for board member and CEO succession and what makes for good governance policies and board accountabilities. 
    
    Steve VanderMeer, Consultant

14. What Spurs Economic Development 
    The Tennessee Valley has become a hotbed of economic development, with several EV manufacturers and other large companies moving to the region. Hear how the utilities, cities, and Tennessee Valley Authority have worked together to bring economic development opportunities to the region and the reasons the industries and big businesses moving in are choosing to invest in these communities. 
    
    Jessica Breaux, Manager, Economic Development, Amazon; James Fenton, Executive Director, Gallatin Economic Development Agency, Tennessee; Chassen Haynes, Director of Business Development, Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development; and Carla Nelson, Engineering Supervisor, Nashville Electric Service, Tennessee

15. Leveraging Near-Real Time Meter Data to Tackle DER Challenges 
    Distributed energy resources (DERs) are increasingly challenging traditional grid operations and planning practices. Using actual meter data, instead of assumption-based data, allows utilities to conduct technical loss analyses, make facts-based investment decisions, and streamline assessments for DER connection requests based on real operating conditions; but manually integrating meter data into planning studies can be time-consuming and error prone. Learn how your utility can overcome resource challenges and improve grid reliability by conducting large-scale automated grid analysis using meter data management data and simulation.

    Ming Ho, Head of User Experience and Strategic Innovation, EnergyIP, and Wayne Dias, US Head of Grid Simulation Software, Siemens
     

16. Developing Energy Storage: Benefits and Best Practices
    Energy storage is the linchpin of the clean energy transition and a key resource for utilities looking to provide more cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable power to their customers. With costs declining and transmission and capacity rising, more utilities are looking to batteries, especially to reduce their wholesale demand and energy costs. There are many questions to consider before committing to energy storage, from whether to own or contract the system to operations and maintenance. Hear about the benefits and applications of storage and best practices for developing a battery storage system that meets your utility’s needs.

    Laura Meilander, Vice President, Business Development, Convergent Energy + Power
     

     

Break with Sponsors (Industry Innovations Expo) 

Breakout Sessions 

17. Changes in Transmission
    As the Biden administration has placed a greater focus on transmission, Congress and federal agencies have taken an active interest in policies and regulations related to the transmission system. Review the latest developments in transmission policy, including significant rules changes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is considering regarding transmission planning and approval, interconnection, and cost allocation.  
    
    Adrienne Clair, Partner, Thompson Coburn LLC; and William Huang, Partner, Spiegel & McDiarmid LLP

18. Federal Infrastructure Law: Opportunities for Public Power 
    The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes funding opportunities for everything from electric vehicle charging infrastructure to grid resilience and smart grid technology, physical and cybersecurity measures, hydropower incentives, energy efficiency and weatherization, and broadband. Learn about the latest potential funding opportunities – what’s available now, what’s coming, and how to navigate the federal grant process.
    
    Joel Laubenstein, Principal, and Brooke Opel, Grant Advisor, Baker Tilly

19. Auto Manufacturers: Projections for the EV Market
    Get insight into the future of electric vehicles direct from a panel of major auto manufacturers who have facilities in the Nashville area. Learn about their expectations for the EV market, and what’s driving their predictions - including economic factors and the development of charging infrastructure. 

20. What Collective Cybersecurity Defense Looks Like 
    Like all US critical infrastructure, the electrical grid is constantly being attacked by nation states. Gain a shared understanding of the threat landscape and learn how public power utilities are collaborating on governance, resource management, technology selection and deployment, operational monitoring, incident response and more. Get tips on how to leverage the range of available resources to keep your utility protected. 
    
    Frank Honkus, Associate Director, Intelligence Programs & CRISP Manager, Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center (E-ISAC); Eugene Kipniss, MS-ISAC Director of Partnerships and Stakeholder Maturity, Center for Internet Security; and Carter Manucy, IT/OT & Cybersecurity Director, Florida Municipal Power Agency

21. Board Recruitment, Development, and Orientation 
    Discover what constitutes appropriate and effective orientation and ongoing training for board members. Learn how utilities cultivate and recruit individuals to enable a high-performing board and how to on-board and develop new members. Review board orientation practices across public power systems large and small to adequately prepare boards to guide a utility into the future. 
    
    Steve VanderMeer, Consultant

22. Public Power Community Support 
    Community outreach, engagement and support are distinguishing marks of public power. When these three things come together everyone benefits — your utility, your employees, and your community. Hear how two public power utilities are investing in the health of their communities by offering support and community giving programs to their customers. Learn how these utilities are establishing strategic partnerships, implementing creative outreach programs, and developing effective communications to assist their customers.
    
    David Mehlhaff, Chief Communications Officer, Kansas City Board of Public Utilities, Kansas; and Amy Adamy, Public Relations & Marketing Manager, Breina Pugh, Government & Community Relations Manager, and Deanna Sparks, Customer Operations Manager, Lansing Board of Water & Light, Michigan

23. Using SMRs to Meet the Need for Clean, Stable Energy
    With aging energy infrastructure and the need to transition to cleaner sources of energy, small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) offer public power utilities an opportunity for true decarbonization with reliable, flexible, and cost competitive zero-carbon power. They are also particularly well-suited to siting at retiring coal plants, helping host communities and plant workers participate in the transition to a cleaner energy system. Panelists will discuss the development and deployment of SMRs, including site licensing; federal, state, and local policies to support SMRs; financing frameworks to mobilize capital for SMR projects; and managing financial risk in deploying new technologies.

    Dominick Claudio, Director of Sales, NuScale Power

24. Non-Wires Alternatives to Enable High Penetration of DERs
    Distributed energy resources provide many benefits such as clean energy, reduced emissions, and the creation of green jobs. However, given their intermittent nature, DERs can pose technical challenges impacting voltage, power quality, and reliability when implemented on a large-scale. Hear case studies on non-wires alternative solutions that unlock the potential for higher levels of DER penetration without traditional upgrades such as transformer replacement or reconductoring through the use of Distribution Static Synchronous Compensators (D-STATCOMs) and Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS) to improve DER hosting capacity and mitigate technical issues. 

    Sercan Teleke, Principal Engineer, Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc.; and Drew Smith, Sales Engineer, Smarter Grid Solutions
     

Industry Innovations Expo Reception

Unwind over drinks as you connect with industry suppliers, vendors, and consultants and discover how they can help your organization succeed. Enjoy some down time with colleagues.

Tuesday, June 14

Morning Conversations

Start your morning by joining friends and colleagues in small group discussions. 

• Small Utilities
• Large Utilities
• Women in Public Power 
• Governing Board/Elected Officials

Industry Innovations Expo open

General Session 

• Presentation of National Awards
  Recognizing excellence in public power leadership

• Powering the Public’s Future
  Public power providers face increasing urgency to take a lead in energy innovation to serve our communities in the future – and do so without sacrificing the needs of today. Low energy costs and power system reliability remain the overriding priorities for local power providers and those looking to relocate business and industry. Learn how the Tennessee Valley Authority is balancing its leadership role throughout the region to pursue broader electrification of the economy and clean energy efforts while maintaining the prices and reliability residents and businesses in the valley expect.

  Jeff Lyash, President & CEO, Tennessee Valley Authority
  
  

• Seismic Surprises and the Economy 
  Gain an insider’s perspective on the most important economic events of our time — from the effects of the pandemic to Brexit, the ongoing trade war, the Presidential election, and a non-traditional inverted yield curve — and what to expect in the next two years. Join Dr. Rossell as she offers an informed outlook into history, theory, and her ringside seat to Wall Street to predict the opportunities that are on the horizon. Discuss how “seismic surprises” — including cyberterrorism, environmental disasters, and swings in the regulatory regime — affect businesses today and create the need for government relief packages.  
  
  Marci Rossell, Expert Economic Forecaster, Former Chief Economist for CNBC and Co-Host of Squawk Box
  
  

Break with Sponsors (Industry Innovations Expo) 

Breakout Sessions

25. Understanding Environmental Justice 
    Learn how the Biden administration’s whole of government approach to advancing environmental and societal equity will play out in the disbursement of federal funds, project priorities, and in establishing new rules and policies. Discuss what environmental justice means for public power utilities and how they can identify, prevent, and address any disproportionate adverse effects through their programs and services.
    
    Kaela Mainsah, Director, Environmental Justice, New York Power Authority; and Reagen Price, Race & Social Justice Initiative Program Manager, Seattle City Light, Washington

26. Rating Agencies: Our Outlook for Public Power
    Hear from the three largest credit rating companies on what’s behind the latest rating trends, how current issues and industry trends affect public power’s bond ratings, and what they see as public power’s strengths and opportunities. Understand what issues to highlight for your board and stakeholders, and determine what steps need to be taken to reinforce the financial strength of your organization.
    
    David Bodek, Senior Director, S&P Global Ratings; Dennis Pidherny, Managing Director, Public Finance, Sector Head – U.S. Public Power, Fitch Ratings; and Scott Solomon, Vice President & Senior Credit Officer, Moody’s Investors Service

27. Leveraging Broadband for Your Utility 
    Whether your utility is getting involved in a smart city initiative, expanding or offering external services, or interested in coordinating with telecommunications providers – broadband is a common thread. Share experiences using broadband, including how utilities have monetized these assets, enhanced services, and gained operational efficiencies. Get a high-level overview of infrastructure funding available for broadband and how telecommunications technology can drive innovation in the electric utility sector. 
    
    Jim Ferrell, President & CEO, Jackson Energy Authority, Tennessee; and Brian Taylor, General Manager, CDE Lightband, Clarksville, Tennessee

28. Infrastructure Grants: Federal and State Partners Panel  
    Hear a briefing by FEMA and DOE officials on grant programs related to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and opportunities for public power utilities. Then get insight from representatives from the National Governor’s Association and the National Association of State Energy Officials on how states will coordinate infrastructure grant requests related to utilities.

29. CEO and Board Report Cards 
    Governing a public power utility requires the CEO and board members to work as a team and hold each other accountable. An effective board not only sets goals but also regularly evaluates the CEO and itself to ensure that the goals are being met. Dive into the ins and outs of metrics, performance plans, and more. Discuss what structures and processes can make the evaluations objective and effective. Learn how the evaluations can be comprehensive and extend beyond financial performance to mission and community impact. 
    
    Troy Adams, General Manager, Manitowoc Public Utilities, Wisconsin; Judith Dykes-Hoffman, Board Trustee, New Braunfels Utilities, Texas; and R. John Miner, President, Collaborative Learning

30. Combatting Private Equity Offers and Takeover Attempts
    Some public power utilities have recently been targeted for takeover bids by large private equity firms or other utilities. Get an update on what is driving these threats and what you can do to engage the public and key stakeholders in understanding the benefits of public power. Even if you see no immediate threat in your area, learn why it's important to shore up support for community ownership and how you can replicate public engagement and social media campaigns. 
    
    Elaina Ball, CEO and General Manager, Fayetteville Public Works Commission, North Carolina; Ken Nolan, General Manager, Vermont Public Power Supply Authority; and Jay Stowe, Managing Director/CEO, JEA, Jacksonville, Florida

31. Creating a Culture of Diversity Equity and Inclusion 
    Diversity, equity, and inclusion is not just about who a utility hires, but how the utility as a workplace retains and recognizes its employees. From approaches to the recruitment process to how employee ideas are acknowledged and professional development handled, learn how utilities are fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. 
    
    Megan Flynn, Chief Diversity Officer, Tennessee Valley Authority; and Tangela Johnson, President/CEO, North Georgia Corporate Consulting, LLC; and Elba Marshall, Director, Corporate Services & Diversity, Knoxville Utility Board, Tennessee

Lunch - Industry Innovations Expo 

Breakout Sessions 

32. Emission Reductions: How Far Utilities Have Come and How Much Work Remains 
    Take a look at how far along utilities are in meeting their internal and external greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and where utilities face more work in reducing emissions from their generation portfolio. Hear from leaders at utilities with different portfolios, targets, timeframes, and cost constraints on how their respective strategic plans are evolving and what progress they’ve made to-date in transitioning their fuel mix. 
    
    Laura Lewis, Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, California

33. Leveraging Federal Funding for Energy Efficiency and Weatherization
    Learn about the opportunities legislation such as the American Rescue Plan Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act create for public power utilities to enhance energy efficiency and weatherization programs in their communities. Review relevant funding vehicles and highlight program models being developed in cities and towns across the country to upgrade residential, commercial, and municipal buildings for resilience, efficiency, health, and safety. 
    
    Dan Reilly, Director of Public Affairs, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation

34. Going Wireless for Broadband Networks 
    Learn about the technology advancements that have been made in the last two years of wireless networks and why point-to-point and point-to-multipoint wireless are viable alternative solutions for various utility applications. Weigh the pros and cons of moving away from a hard-wired fiber network for your SCADA, AMI, and smart city efforts, and even the possibility of offering broadband service to customers. Get a who’s who in technology development and how a supply chain partner can help a utility pull all elements of a wireless network together. 
    
    Corey Peters, Senior Manager of Communications (Enterprise Network Services), New York Power Authority; and Carla Shaffer, Vice President of Wireless, North America, WESCO Anixter

35. Preparing for Unprecedented Disasters  
    Drawing on experiences in emergency management spanning the COVID-19 pandemic, active shooter incidents, wildfires, and grid security exercises across North America, this session will go beyond traditional preparedness recommendations to consider how public power entities can enhance their organization's reliability and resilience through future disasters. Topics will include emergency preparedness and the testing of restoration and response plans; incident response and developing agile organizational structures for the times when interoperability can save lives; and pre-planning for disaster recovery and ways to leverage federal funds for rebuilding after disasters. 

    Patrick Van Horne, Deputy Director of Preparedness, Hagerty Consulting

36. Reaching a Diverse Pool of New Employees 
    Learn the innovative and various ways utilities are finding and developing new talent, from working with high schools to create paths and pipelines within their communities to introducing young people to linework. Get strategies for diversifying your recruitment efforts to better reach a broad array of prospective employees, including women and minorities. 
    
    Melinda Avelino-Walker, General Services Manager, Anaheim Public Utilities, California; and Jackie Flowers, Director/CEO, Tacoma Public Utilities, Washington

37. Elevate Your Social Media Strategy 
    Whether you’re looking for another way to connect with customers or showcase your expertise, social media is a highly effective and affordable way to engage with your community and humanize your leadership. Hear how public power utilities across the country effectively use social media as an extension of their traditional communications tools and how you can up your social media game. 
    
    Ann Hyland, Chief Communications Officer, Heartland Consumers Power District, South Dakota; and Kelley Porter, Manager, Customer & Corporate Communications, Lincoln Electric System, Nebraska

Break with Sponsors (Industry Innovations Expo) 

General Session

• Supply Chain Management in a Post-Pandemic World  
  Product shortages during the Covid-19 pandemic elevated the importance of and threats to supply chains. They also prompted many questions about the inner workings of global manufacturing and distribution processes. Explore modern global supply chain complexities and interdependencies, the “supply shock” followed by the “demand shock” that occurred during the pandemic, and the many forces impacting the future of supply chains, including the subsequent surge in Chinese exports. Hear recommendations for strengthening competitiveness, including modernizing infrastructure and logistics, evolving the role of the warehouse and distribution center, and ramping up investment in automation.

  Willy Shih, Global Authority on Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing and Technology Development and Professor of Management Practice, Harvard Business School
  
  
   

Association Business Meeting

Get reports from the board Treasurer on APPA’s performance and financials and cast your vote on policy resolutions that will guide APPA’s advocacy efforts for the coming year and for members to represent your region on the APPA Board of Directors. Each utility member must appoint a voting delegate for this meeting. 

Light Up Navajo Reception

Wednesday, June 15 

Chair’s Breakfast & Closing General Session

Chair’s Breakfast
Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Please be seated by 8:30 a.m. for breakfast service. 

Presiding
Colin Hansen, Chair, American Public Power Association, and CEO, Kansas Power Pool

Installation of the 2022-23 Board Chair
Anthony Cannon, General Manager/CEO, Greenville Utilities Commission, North Carolina

Behind the Scenes of History: Capturing Meaning within the Moments 
Revisit some of the major events of the last 55 years as seen through the eyes and camera of David Hume Kennerly, who has photographed 10 U.S. Presidents and covered significant moments in our nation’s history. His guided visual journey will share the intimate moments from points in our past — from times of tragedy, such as the night Robert Kennedy was shot, on the battlefields of Vietnam, and the horrors of Jonestown; to diplomatic encounters including Egyptian President Sadat’s historic trip to Israel and inside Reagan and Gorbachev’s Fireside Summit in Geneva; and celebrations with Presidents on their election nights and at Inaugurations. 

David Hume Kennerly, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer and Canon Explorer of Light

Conference Adjourns