NEPPA Awards Presented at Annual Conference

Utility Services Awarded Affiliate of the Year

Brian Evans-Mungeon accepted the Affiliate of the Year award on behalf of his company, Utility Services, at NEPPA's 2011 Annual Conference. This award recognizes companies that are associate or corporate members of NEPPA who provide exceptional levels of support or assistance to the organization and its members.

Utility Services is known for the work that it does in assisting public power utilities in complying with the requirements of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. Utility Services has also been a generous and loyal supporter of NEPPA since it joined nearly five years ago.

"Whenever asked, and frequently without being asked, Brian has sponsored NEPPA conferences, workshops and golf tournaments and has been a regular attendee at NEPPA events for many years," said NEPPA President John Bilda, who presented the award. "We are indeed fortunate to have Brian and his company as an affiliate member of our association."

NEPPA Service Award Presented to Joseph Sollecito

Joseph Sollecito of the Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant was presented with a NEPPA Service Award, which is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to NEPPA. During the past five years Sollecito has assumed leadership roles in NEPPA member committees including the Strategic Planning Committee for NEPPA Training, the Customer Service Committee and, most recently, the newly formed Education and Training Committee.

"All these committees have benefited from Joe’s experience, his insights and his intelligence," said NEPPA Executive Director Pat Hyland, who presented the award. "As chairman of these committees, he won the respect of his fellow members through his management skills, his planning skills and—most importantly—his listening skills.The success of many of NEPPA’s training programs and customer service conferences in the past five years is directly attributable to Joe’s contributions and ideas."

Barbara Grimes, NEPPA vice-president, presented two Century Awards to NEPPA members celebrating 100 years of service as a public power system. They are Princeton Municipal Light Department of Massachusetts and the Town of Stowe, Vt. Electric Department. Ellen Burt, General Manager, accepted the award on behalf of Stowe.

Groton Commissioner Presented Distinguished Service Award

NEPPA’s Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding service to their public power systems and their communities and this year it was awarded to Rodney Hersh, commissioner of the Groton Electric Light Department in Mass. He has served as light commissioner for 19 consecutive years, making him the second-longest serving Commissioner in the Department’s history. "Throughout his years of service," said a Groton spokesperson, "he has always demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting the interests of the customers of Groton Electric Light."