From the Executive Director’s Desk:

I would personally like to thank all our sponsors, utility and affiliate members, presenters, guests and NEPPA staff for your attendance, participation and support at our recently concluded 50th Anniversary Annual Conference at the Mount Washington Resort, Bretton Woods New Hampshire.  Although biased, I believe it was a wonderful event with thought-provoking, exceptional speakers, numerous opportunities for networking and business development, and an outstanding social program at a venue second to none in New England. In addition, I congratulate again, all our award winners for your contributions to your utilities and our Association.

The success of this Conference and our Association is only through a cooperative synergy among our member utilities and corporate and affiliate members. Without this cooperative spirit, our Association would not be able to prosper in this ever-changing, dynamic industry and, frankly, provide some of the tools needed by our utility members to properly serve their public power communities.

One of the reoccurring themes of our Conference was the opportunity and need for continued volunteerism within our Association. Without support from utility and affiliate member staffs, our core mission to serve as the regional network for information sharing and collective action, offer training and educational programs for our members, advocate public policies and legislation that benefits our members’ interests, and provide publications and information resources to our members would not be possible.

Volunteerism is generally solicited through both committee participation and direct involvement in training program support. Through our Director of Training, Steve Socoby, we have solicited and have begun to receive training support for some of our advanced training programs.  Recently, The Okonite Company and the Irby Company have assisted with our Advanced Linemen and Advanced Metering Programs, respectively. We thank you for your stimulating presentations and interaction with our students and look forward to our continued training relationship. Many other opportunities to support our advanced programs are available. Feel free to contact Steve to discuss these opportunities in more depth.

Committee participation is a very important component of our mission. Current NEPPA Committees and their Chairs are as follows:

Annual Conference:            John Bilda

Audit:                                      Michael Kirkwood

E & O Conference:               Dan Folding

Lineperson’s Rodeo:          Michael Cloutier/Ken Stone

Customer Service:               Maureen Hanifan

Education & Training:         Hamid Jaffari

Regional Power Supply:    Steve Kaminski

Legislative:                           Michael Kirkwood

Membership/Marketing:     Calvin Ames

In addition and with Board approval, we will be soliciting chairs and members for new Committees/Task Forces including IT, Engineering and Awards.  

Please share these committee opportunities with your colleagues and if anyone is interested in joining one of our standing committees or our proposed new committees feel free to contact us and we will enthusiastically pass on your contact information to the Committee Chair.

Again, I thank all that attended and supported our Annual Conference and look forward to seeing you soon.

Best Regards,

Savas

Savas C. Danos

Interim Executive Director