Well done, RMEL members! You all planned, delivered and engaged in an outstanding 2018 Fall Executive Leadership and Management Convention that ignited our collective energy in "Building Our Future Toward the New Energy Paradigm.” The vision and thought leadership delivered by the speakers, along with the innovative discussions among attendees are important catalysts as we finalize plans for 2019 RMEL events and set our sights on industry priorities of tomorrow. A repeated comment we received was an appreciation for the diversity of topics and quality of presenters.  I have to agree!  Attendee feedback on the program content indicated the planning team and RMEL Board of Directors hit the mark. From Jim Carroll’s big-picture presentation, to current data and analytics strategies, to ERCOT''s future grid reliability strategies, along with electrification initiatives that electric utilities are employing through new utility business models, and of course, leadership strategies to maximize career growth. Hearing the essential branding and culture impacts of Southwest Airlines’ journey from Ginger Hardage closed day one on a powerful note. Day 2 of the Convention picked right back up with a fast-paced presentation from Dr. Michael Webber full of trends, analysis, predictions and a thought-provoking perspective on how we best harness the future of the industry. In tradition, the Fall Convention closed with the its signature session, the CEO Panel, allowing our industry leaders to share their energetic look at how our industry CEOs are driving these challenges for their respective organizations and for the entire industry. We have put together a quick recap of the Convention for you to view.

Please check out the Fall Convention highlight reel! 

(FOR BEST VIEWING: Turn up your speakers!)

One of the highlights of the Convention for me is when we take a moment to honor those people who have made an impact on the industry with the presentation of the RMEL Awards by 2018 President, Tom Kent. Congratulations to Anthony Montoya, Retired, Western Area Power Administration, who received the 2018 Distinguished Leadership Award. Tony has dedicated more than 35 years to furthering the reliability, safety & security of the bulk electric system and he served as President of RMEL as a part of his nine years of service to the Association . Thank you for your contributions, Tony! Kelly Harrison, Retired, Westar Energy, received the 2018 Honorary Life Membership Award. Kelly has enthusiastically promoted the electric energy industry and RMEL and has served as a mentor to many emerging leaders. He served as RMEL’s President in 2011, and Board representative on the RMEL Foundation Board for many years. Two Industry Leadership Awards were presented for their contributions to their respective organizations. The 2018 awards went to Steven Cobb, Director, TGO, SRP, and David Tomczyszyn, Manager, Transmission, Substation & Relay Engineering, Austin Energy.  Steven is dedicated to reliability and he is a leader in improving the western interconnection. He has presented for RMEL in the past and is a great asset to the RMEL community. David embraces new technology and drives developments and innovation in the industry. RMEL’s Distribution Section has seen tremendous participation growth thanks to David serving as a member of RMEL’s Distribution Section Committee. Again, congratulations to all 2018 Award Winners, and thank you for your dedication to the electric energy industry.

We would be remiss if we did not extend our appreciation to our outgoing President, Tom Kent, VP & COO, Nebraska Public Power District, for his outstanding leadership throughout the year. During Tom’s presidency, RMEL saw record-breaking utility attendance at this Fall Convention and continued growth of the RMEL Emerging Leader program, which is developing high-potential individuals into tomorrow’s senior level executives. He led an invigorating RMEL market research study, conducted by Westgroup Research, which shined a light on future direction and initiatives you the members would like to see from RMEL. Thank you, Tom! RMEL is a better association because of your service to the industry. The Fall Convention also provides an opportunity to usher in our new President. Scott Fry, Managing Director, MyCoff, Fry & Prouse, LLC, became RMEL’s 2018-2019 President. Scott joined the RMEL Board of Directors in 2010 and has served as a member of the Executive Committee and held the positions of VP of Member Services, and President-Elect. I am looking for a successful year working  with Scott and his Board.

As RMEL’s Board leadership and convention topics change with the industry each year, it’s impressive to see how the conversation evolves at the Fall Convention and how those discussions influence the direction of RMEL. During the Vital Issues Forum, executives further discussed how they are making trends and analysis actionable at their company. They shared strategies around security, innovation, microgrids, customers, communication, changing transmission RTOs, and of course the workforce and the people it will take to revolutionize the electric energy industry. Incorporating ideas from Fall Convention presentations, these industry leaders also touched on areas where they’re seeing change at their utilities, including:

2019 EVENTS AND CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS

Look for these topics and so much more at RMEL’s 2019 Events. New for 2019! You can submit your topics and speaker ideas for 2019 events! This is your association and your opportunity to help drive RMEL programming. RMEL Section Committees have a pulse on the industry and work very hard to deliver valuable member programs. When you submit topics and/or speakers, your ideas will be shared with RMEL Section Committees so we can all work together to share best practices through the trust RMEL forum. Remember that you can share your critical topics and vital issues at the 2019 Fall Convention Planning Session on November 2. This is great opportunity to work with fellow RMEL members to build the direction of RMEL for 2019.

REMAINING 2018 EVENTS

Transmission Asset Management and Maintenance Conference
October 25, 2018 in Lone Tree, CO

As budgets continue to tighten and regulations increase, RMEL members will share asset management, health and maintenance best practices that are working to manage risks, optimize costs and maximize performance. Attendees will work together to find the highest return on new and existing asset investments. Presentations will combine emerging trends and successful case studies, including topics like: risk-based asset management decision-making, large transmission line construction, metrics (performance vs. cost), Asset Health Centers, energized line maintenance best practices, equipment diagnostics programs, power system maintenance program drivers and failure modes and effects.

November Safety Roundtable
November 2, 2018 in Fort Collins, CO

John Olaechea, Compliance Assistance Specialist, OSHA, will cover how employers are selected for inspection and the types of inspections conducted by OSHA. Procedures for accident and complaint investigations as well as emphasis program inspections and how to prepare for them will be discussed in detail. 

Planning Session: 2019 Fall Convention
November 2, 2018 in Denver, CO

The entire membership is invited to help plan the topics and speakers for the 2019 RMEL Fall Executive Leadership and Management Convention. The planning session is November 2, 2018. The 2019 Fall Convention will take place September 16-18, 2019, at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza in Kansas City, MO.

The inventive spirit at the 2018 Fall Convention is a great sign of what’s to come for our industry in 2019 and beyond. Thank you for engaging in the RMEL member community as we work together toward RMEL’s mission:

MISSION: Preparing the electric energy industry for the future through education and networking.

I look forward to seeing you soon!