The Tennessee Job Training & Safety program is investigating interest and possibilities for the formation of a separate and parallel program to provide safety and craft training for public works departments around the state. This training would involve development of an annual topic schedule delivered in monthly safety meetings provided by an instructor who is skilled and experienced in the day-to-day operations of water, waste water, sewer, gas, and/or public works departments. The topics covered would include regulatory compliance, safe work practice, and trade craft subjects.

80% of data breaches involve exploitation of stolen, weak, default or easily guessable passwords. Fraudulent password access has led to billions of dollars in financial fraud and damaging public relations for organizations and individuals. A strong user password is the foundation for personal information security. It is critical that we practice secure password management individually, but also that our organizations have password policies and management systems that require us to use secure passwords.

Have you ever looked at yourself in a mirror and asked, "Who are you?" Well, that might be a sign of a midlife crisis — unless you were talking about your utility. "Who are we as an electric distributor?" is quite a healthy question to ask yourself as a leader of the company. And you will get the most benefit from this self-reflection exercise if you remember that it doesn’t matter who you think you are, but rather who your customers think you are. Consider these points:

After about six years as a manager in the water and wastewater division for New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) in Texas, Trino Pedraza took the position of Systems Control Manager and brought his enthusiasm for thinking creatively about technology to his new Division. At the time of Pedraza’s transfer in 2015, NBU had in place a preliminary technology roadmap for the future and a goal to converge the IT and OT functions. Pedraza garnered the financial and personnel resources to expand this technology vision and integrate all of the utility information systems to improve operations and customer services.

Now that the 110th General Assembly has convened and bill introductions are finalized, committees are meeting, bills are being moved for votes and the legislative process is in full swing. The TMEPA Daily News Clip Service is a valuable tool to keep up with what's happening. Staff will be focusing especially on legislation that makes the papers, happenings in Nashville and movement of our own bills. We routinely view hundreds of newspaper articles each day, 7 days a week, "clip" those we believe are of interest to TMEPA members and send them out, most days by 8:00 a.m. (Central). You can also see the current and past 6 days on our website. If you don't receive the clips and would like to, just send an email to any of the staff and we'll add you to the list (mvinson@tmepa.org, susans@tmepa.org or jelrod@tmepa.org). Click on the link below to see the articles for today and the last 6 days.

It’s almost time for our annual trip to D.C. to participate in the Public Power Legislative Rally. This year we will be returning to the Mayflower Renaissance Washington which first opened its doors more than 90 years ago. Both the House and Congress will be in session this year, unlike the last two years. We've made appointments with all the Tennessee Representatives and are waiting for a confirmed time with Dian Black. All appointments are on Tuesday, February 28. TVPPA has confirmed an appointment with Senators Alexander and Corker. Click below for more information.

There was a time when I was a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), now known simply as the Recording Academy. I suspect they shortened the name to accommodate the apparent reduction in intellectual capacity of the newer members as evidenced by the Grammy Awards aired on Sunday the 12th. I have to admit I did not watch the Grammys this year, or the year before, or the year before, etc. To be honest, I like very little of what the marketplace considers "Top 40 Hits" these days, or any other days since the 1980’s. With one exception, the night's big winner. Adele is a modern day British invader with an amazing voice and songs to match. My favorite: When We Were Young.

With all the bills for the legislative session filed, everyone knows the fights before them. Some bills will require us to play offense, some to play defense, and others to watch closely because sometimes you just never know what might happen with them. This year an issue TMEPA has been fighting on for many years has been taken up by the governor and more legislators than ever: broadband expansion.

Last week TMEPA held its annual Legislative Rally and Reception at the Hermitage Hotel in Downtown Nashville.

While the American Public Power Association is working hard to ensure that public power’s voice is heard in the early days of the Trump administration, we are also keeping a close eye on action further up Pennsylvania Avenue on Capitol Hill. A new Congress got underway in early January and committees in both chambers experienced changes in leadership, as well as member additions.

Directly connected to over 68,000 households and businesses in the City of Clarksville, CDE Lightband provides reliable utilities delivered at the speed of light. Our service area, consisting of 100 square miles within the municipal boundaries, includes 892 miles of power lines and 960 miles of fiber optic cable.

Have an important meeting or event coming to your town? Let us know and we'll put it on the TMEPA Calendar. Stay up to date with all the TMEPA meetings and other events around the state and even nationally for TMEPA Member Systems.

Newport Utilities has an immediate opening for a Systems Engineer. This position is responsible for utility engineering work in the office and field; direct and manage water and wastewater utility projects; and other related work as required. Work in this position involves responsibility for the application of engineering skills and knowledge to moderately difficult and difficult utility engineering projects in connection with the design, construction, extension, inspection, and maintenance of water and wastewater utility systems. Technical work in design and preparation of plans and specifications also required.

Tullahoma Utilities Authority (Tullahoma, TN) is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Electric Engineering Supervisor or Electric Engineer. This position will be responsible for a wide range of activities and key functions for the Tullahoma Utilities Authority. These responsibilities include but are not limited to: • Engineering and system planning • Program administration • Technology support

Interact with suppliers and transmission entities to ensure smooth and uninterrupted energy flows to MLGW. Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology or Business Administration. Must have knowledge of the gas scheduling system from supplier side to end user.

The Athens Utilities Board is now accepting resumes for a full-time Communication Specialist. A Bachelor’s degree (B.S., B.A.) in communications, public relations/journalism or related field from a four-year college or university with course work in digital media, social media or related areas of study is preferred. At least two years related experience in corporate communications preferred, with an emphasis on social media management. Send resume to: Athens Utilities Board, Att: Human Resources Department, Post Office Box 689, Athens, Tennessee 37371-0689

Apply intermediate level functions to identify information system requirements to determine hardware/software solutions; implement, develop or maintain software solutions to meet system requirements.

Weakley County Municipal Electric System is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Engineer. This position requires, as a minimum, a bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited university, and 5 years’ experience in power system engineering.

The City of Sparta, Tennessee is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Lineman with the Sparta Electric System. Sparta is located 90 miles east of Nashville, TN, 95 miles west of Knoxville, TN and 80 miles north of Chattanooga, TN. The service territory includes a 6.3 square mile service area with approximately 3,000 meters.

TMEPA is seeking candidates for the position of Executive Director due to the current Executive Director’s pending retirement on July 31, 2017. TMEPA seeks an Executive Director with the skills to provide leadership, direction and support for the association’s primary mission to create and foster an environment that will contribute to the welfare, common good and overall effort of the state’s municipally owned electric systems and to satisfy the purposes set forth in the bylaws of the association.