Leader and Lighting Board Training – Public Utility Management Program Recap

NEPPA just concluded the semi-annual Public Utility Management Program. The fall curriculum included great sessions on power purchasing, customer generation, public relations, legal and financial management. The program, started more than 20 years ago by Pat Hyland, is designed for lighting board members, general managers and staff moving into management functions of public utilities. It touches on all of the elements related to operating a public utility. The program is designed so that attending two consecutive programs will produce a solid 360 degree look at the industry.

Since the program is focused on interacting with the expert speakers, the attendance is limited to a maximum of 20 attendees each session. This session, four of the 14 attendees completed their second session; they are pictured here at the commencement ceremony.

Those completing the program from left to right: Susan Blumenthal (Westfield), Bonnie Lemanski (Chicopee), Dennis Ahlin (Peabody) and Janice Ford (Hull).

The program is a great continuing education resource for managers and board members to keep abreast of the current trends in the industry. This fall’s educators included speakers from BerryDunn, Jackson Jackson & Wagner, MMWEC, PURMA, and Rubin and Rudman LLP.

Should you, your staff or lighting commissioners have attended? Here is a simple test. Are you comfortable with your answers to these following questions?

What does "just cause" mean?

What are current federal issues facing our industry?

What options are available for "distributed generation"?

How do prevent, avoid or mitigate risk?

What are the steps in achieving price stability?

What are elements of a public message strategy?

What is regulatory accounting?

What is the best way to prepare a new lighting commissioner for their role?

The last one is easy. Attend the PUMP program with them! This gives you the opportunity to give your commissioner the knowledge they need about the industry and for you to discuss your individual utility’s unique circumstances.

At the conclusion of this fall’s program, the question emerged if we have outgrown the name, "PUMP." Should we change the name to PULP (Public Utility Leadership Program)? This would better categorize the information and interactions that are occurring. Keep an eye out as we ponder this question.

The good news is that either way, NEPPA will continue providing this valuable service to our members. In January, we will announce the April dates for the spring program. We anticipate that we will return to the Water’s Edge in Westbrook, CT. If you are interested, register early, to ensure you do not fall outside our capacity cut off.

Thank you to all of our fall speakers and attendees for making the program such a success.