It’s fall graduation time for groups like NEPPA. This fall we have two graduating classes -- our Fourth Year Apprentices and our Public Utility Management Program (Please keep an eye out for our Apprentice Fourth Year graduation list and picture in the January issue). We spend a great deal of time recognizing our apprentice program, but we need to recognize our PUMP school also. This program started more than 20 years ago and is dedicated to providing the core education for general managers, commissioners and future utility managers. We attempt to balance all of the elements of overseeing a public utility and provide a complete training over two, three-day programs.
Through the use of experienced utility managers and other professionals we make the oversight of a utility understandable and provide a network of resources to rely upon. This fall we featured speakers on utility accounting, cyber security, board/commission relations, power supply, social media and contracts among other topics. Our graduates leave with a comprehensive understanding of utility management.
NEPPA has found that the program has become a valuable resource for new commissioners. Here they get a strong orientation to the overall elements of running a utility. Congratulations to our 2012 Graduates:
Tracy Hardy, Norwich Public Utilities
Russell MacGregor, Norwich Public Utilities
Jim Moore, Mass Development/Devens Utility
Spencer Newman, Burlington Electric Department
Tammy Petersen, Norwich Public Utilities
David Schofield, Peabody Municipal Light Plant
Fawn Walker, Norwich Public Utilities
The 2013 program will begin with our spring session in April. The session is two and a half days and will be conducted at the Cranwell Resort in the Berkshires. For more information or to register please contact Courtney Miller at the NEPPA offices.