Twenty-six individuals and ten utilities were recognized for service to the American Public Power Association and the public power industry during APPA’s National Conference in Boston, Massachusetts.
The individuals and utilities recognized at the ceremony were:
Alex Radin Distinguished Service Award
This award is the highest award granted by the American Public Power Association. The award recognizes exceptional leadership and dedication to public power.
• Paul Lau, CEO & General Manager, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, California
• Dave Osburn, General Manager, Oklahoma Municipal Power Association
James D. Donovan Individual Achievement Award
This award recognizes people who have made substantial contributions to the electric utility industry, with a special commitment to public power.
• Kevin Gaden, President and CEO, Illinois Municipal Electric Agency
• Mike Hyland, Executive Director, Northeast Public Power Association
• Leonard Leech, Engineering Manager, Nashville Electric Service, Tennessee
• Kevin Maynard, Director of Electric Utilities, City of Marshall Electric Department, Michigan
Alan H. Richardson Statesmanship Award
This award recognizes public power leaders who work to achieve consensus on national issues important to public power utilities.
• Jason Carter, General Counsel, Conway Corp, Arkansas
• David Leathers, General Manager - Retired, Jamestown Board of Public Works, New York
Larry Hobart Seven Hats Award
This award recognizes managers of small utilities serving fewer than 2,500 meters. These managers have a very small staff and must assume multiple roles.
• Dean Cordes, City Administrator, City of Meade, Kansas
• Don Harrod, Village Administrator, Village of Minster, Ohio
• Tim Putz, Superintendent, Arcadia Electric Utility, Wisconsin
• Alan Robinson, General Manager, Russell Municipal Light Department, Massachusetts
Harold Kramer-John Preston Personal Service Award
This award recognizes individuals for their service to the American Public Power Association.
• Neil James, Director Distribution Operations, Santee Cooper, South Carolina
• Erin Miller, Vice President Programs & Sustainability, American Municipal Power, Inc.
• Mike Squires, Managing Director of Government Affairs, Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems
• Terry Torrens, Senior Legislative Representative, Orlando Utilities Commission, Florida
Spence Vanderlinden Public Official Award
This award recognizes elected or appointed local officials who have contributed to the goals of the American Public Power Association.
• Dr. Willis Mackey, Board Member, CPS Energy, Texas
• Lee Meyerhofer, Commission President, Kaukauna Utilities, Wisconsin
• Manuel Ortega, Board Chairman, Kissimmee Utilities Authority, Florida
Public Power Rising Star Award
This award recognizes individuals who are making meaningful early-career contributions to advancing public power.
• Erin Brown, Chief Financial Officer, Conway Corp, Arkansas
• Anne Finley, Assistant Office Manager, Middleton Electric Light Department, Massachusetts
Robert E. Roundtree Rising Star Award
This award is a scholarship presented to future leaders in public power. The recipient receives a stipend to travel to an APPA conference or training program to advance their education and development in public power.
• Chris Key, Business & Economic Development Manager, Huntsville Utilities, Alabama\
Mark Crisson Leadership and Managerial Excellence Award
This award recognizes managers at a utility, joint action agency, or state or regional association who steer their organizations to new levels of excellence, lead by example, and inspire staff to do better.
• Teresa Broyles-Aplin, President and CEO, Nashville Electric Service, Tennessee
• Timothy R. Johnson, Director of Public Utilities, City of Augusta Electric Utility, Kansas
• Vernell Roberts, General Manager, Detroit Lakes Public Utility, Minnesota
• John G. Tzimorangas, President and CEO, Energy New England
E.F. Scattergood System Achievement Award
This award honors American Public Power Association member systems with outstanding accomplishments.
• Chelan PUD, Wenatchee, Washington
• Georgetown Municipal Light Department, Georgetown, Massachusetts
• Roseville Electric Utility, Roseville, California
• Salt River Project, Tempe, Arizona
• City of Winter Park Electric Utility, Winter Park, Florida
Sue Kelly Community Service Award
This award recognizes utilities for their "good neighbor" activities that demonstrate commitment to the local community.
• Coldwater Board of Public Utilities, Coldwater, Michigan
• Middleborough Gas & Electric Department, Middleborough, Massachusetts
• Riverside Public Utilities, Riverside, California
• Santee Cooper, Moncks Corner, South Carolina
• City Utilities of Springfield, Springfield, Missouri
Leadership Essentials Certificate Program Graduates
Debuting in the fall of 2024, this certificate program is held once a year in conjunction with APPA's Education Institute.
The curriculum is focused on three key areas: 1) proactive performance coaching, 2) problem identification and decision making, and 3) developing high-performing teams. After completing the in-person coursework, attendees are asked to submit a plan for applying the knowledge they learned to a real issue, challenge, or opportunity at their organization.
• Eric Bracewell, Murray City Power, Utah
• Aaron Brooks, Groton Utilities and Bozrah Light & Power, Connecticut
• Ashley Graves, City of Hamilton, Ohio
• Danielle Miller, Lansing Board of Water & Light, Michigan
Energy Innovator Award
APPA’s research program, Demonstration of Energy & Efficiency Developments (DEED), nurtures innovation in public power. Each year, the program recognizes innovative utility projects with this award.
• New York Power Authority
• Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department, Massachusetts
• Salt River Project, Arizona
