A first ever Cybersecurity Committee approved by the American Public Power Association’s Board of Directors was recently launched to align, and provide strategic direction for, APPA’s various cybersecurity programs, events, resources, and projects.
While the association has long provided essential cybersecurity information, funding for members via cooperative agreements with the Department of Energy, resources, and partnerships, the Committee provides strategic guidance to ensure APPA’s wide range of cybersecurity initiatives meet members’ evolving needs.
“It is vital that public power utilities have access to the latest tools and information they need to successfully meet ever evolving cybersecurity threats. The Committee will play a key role in helping APPA members make the most of the resources that APPA offers to them when it comes to cybersecurity vulnerabilities,” said Scott Corwin, President and CEO of APPA.
Nick Lawler, General Manager at Littleton Electric Light & Water Department in Massachusetts, is serving as Committee chair, while Mike Willetts, Director of Training and Safety at the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association, is serving as Vice Chair.
“It’s an honor to lead this Committee and I am looking forward to working with Mike and the APPA team,” said Lawler. “The Committee will work to ensure that APPA’s cybersecurity efforts continue to effectively assist members as they tackle cybersecurity threats.”
The APPA Board approved formation of the committee earlier this year and the committee met virtually on May 19. Corwin participated in this meeting.
At the meeting, the Committee reviewed current APPA cybersecurity workstreams and initiatives and it provided input into potential future programmatic offerings and for APPA’s three-year strategic planning.
Included among the programs that the Committee will oversee are APPA’s Cybersecurity Accelerator Program and the Cybersecurity Defense Community.
CAP helps public power utilities to assess and improve the maturity of their cybersecurity programs. This includes assessing both information technology and operational technology cybersecurity posture as well as the policies and practices that support electric system and grid security.
Utilities must submit the application for CAP, including program checklists, supplemental information and/or documentation as necessary, by June 30.
The CDC is a community of APPA members that focus on cybersecurity as a vital part of their operations. CDC meetings provide updates on APPA and cooperative agreements, industry trends, events of note, and provides a space to collaborate and communicate with peer organizations. The CDC has monthly virtual meetings to convey this information. The CDC regularly invites guest speakers to these meetings to talk about various topics that are of interest to CDC members and about various cybersecurity topics.
Details on the committee’s membership are as follows:
Small
Nick Lawler (Littleton, Mass.)
Brian Chandler (Troy, Ala.)
Jason Peterson (Carthage, Mo.)
Medium
Curtis Fryer (Jefferson County PUD)
Marc Oleson (Austin MN)
Elias Quintero (Brownsville TX)
Large
Eshia Smith (Lakeland, FL)
James Baum (SRP, AZ)
Ray Moore (Lansing MI)
JAA/SA
Jared Price (AMP OH)
Denise McIntosh (Grand River Dam Authority OK)
Greg Flinn (ElectriCities of NC)
At Large
Tricee Limtiaco (Guam Power Authority)
Hefner Daniel (NYPA)
CTS Chair/Vice Chair
Michelle Adam (KEYS FL)
Scott Sears (Easton MD)
CAP Review Board Members
Tim Pospisil (NPPD NE)
Mike Willetts (MMUA MN)
The committee will meet next in person at APPA’s cybersecurity and technology summit, which will take place in San Antonio, Texas, September 13-16, 2026.
