Energy company leaders are constantly facing challenges to adapt in uncharted territories, drive innovation, and collaborate toward shared solutions in the industry. This three-day event brings together the gas and electric utility executive community to encourage discussion and foster new opportunities. Attendees will learn from subject matter experts on a variety of topics such as: customer relations, global economic insights, new business models for utilities in a carbon constrained world, opportunities and challenges of big data, energy supply and demand forecasting, and visions for the utility of the future. This meeting coincides with the semi-annual WEI Board Meeting and the Business Acumen for Emerging Leaders team capstone presentations.
Member: $1,099 USD
Registration price increases $150 after September 2, 2022. Registration includes digital program materials, 1 reception, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, all presentations and panel discussions, and reception and dinner on Tuesday (Annual Service Company Dinner) and Wednesday. Guest tickets are available for $150 and allow for a personal guest (a spouse or partner who does not work in the energy industry) to accompany a registered attendee at the event. Guest registration includes all meals and receptions.
Current participants in the Business Acumen for Emerging Leaders and Women in Leadership + Development programs can attend the 2022 Annual Meeting at no charge. The ticket option will be available for participants to select when they register.
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Women in Leadership
Open only to current Women in Leadership mentors and mentees.
12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve Hike
Pre-Registration and Payment Required. Spend the afternoon on the trails of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve with its natural beauty and peace in the midst of metropolitan San Diego. Explore this haven from the mesa top through groves of rare Torrey pine trees, wildflowers, and rugged sandstone cliffs, and down to the unspoiled beach. Discover how we need to protect and preserve this biogeographical island. This two hour hiking tour will be guided by the Torrey Pines Docent Society. Wear comfortable shoes, bring your camera and sunscreen. No food or drink will be allowed on hike. Transportation from and back to the hotel is included.
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
WEI Board Executive Committee Meeting
Open only to executive committee members.
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Registration Open
Visit the registration desk beginning at 4:00 PM to check in and pick up your name badge.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
WEI Board of Directors Meeting
Open only to board members.
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Welcome Reception
Sponsored by Henkels & McCoy
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Board of Directors Dinner
Invitation only. Open to board members and invited guests.
Sponsored by Burns & McDonnell
7:30 AM - 8:45 AM
Registration Open
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
Networking Breakfast
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM
Welcome + Opening Remarks
Speaker(s): Aidan McSheffrey, Associate General Manager & Chief Financial Executive, Salt River Project
Sponsored by Black & Veatch
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
The Future Economy: Growth Opportunities
Speaker(s): Andrew Busch, Former Chief Market Intelligence Officer, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, U.S. Government
The coming year will be transformational as trends super-charged by the pandemic fully exert themselves on the economy. AI, robots, Zoom, and bitcoin are just a few of the extraordinary tools being leveraged right now to help business overcome, adapt, and thrive. As a futurist and economist, Andy dives deep into exploring how innovation, policy changes and societal shifts (war) drive opportunities. How are you challenging yourself with new ideas, new concepts, and innovation? Can you understand the economic forces driving change to lead you in transforming your business and adapting your strategy to take control of the future? Andy says, “Let’s explore the economic future by getting you the tools you need to be successful.”
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Networking Break
Sponsored by Guidehouse
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Emerging Stronger as Champions of Technology and Innovation
Moderator(s): Jana Mosley, President, ENMAX Power, ENMAX Corporation
Panelist(s): Chris Rogers, Partner, Guidehouse, Kim Sorensen, Partner, CIO Advisory, KPMG LLP, Brian Ryan, VP of Innovation, National Grid, Steve Westly, Founder & Managing Partner, The Westly Group
Building off our keynote, this panel of industry experts dives into how people, processes, technology, and innovation are driving change in our industry. Hear tangible examples of how our industry is moving forward in being a leader of innovation.
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM
Networking Lunch
Sponsored by PAR Western Line Contractors
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
A New Conversation: Actively Transforming a Company, Culture and Community
Speaker(s): Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour, America’s First Black Female Combat Pilot, Former Marine & Cop; Author, Zero to Breakthrough; and Consultant to Business
It’s time! This is about coming together – working to create an equitable culture for employees, stakeholders, and customers. A place where ALL can feel like they belong and are part of the team. It starts by establishing rules of engagement for civil, productive conversations that find solutions – not fault. Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour was a diversity officer for U.S. Marine Corps HQ; its liaison to the Pentagon. As a gay Black woman she brought valuable personal experience to her work. She learned: When you bring people together, their differences can result in tension…this is normal! How you manage that diversity is the key!
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Networking Break
Sponsored by Guidehouse
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Turning Goals into Actions: Energy Leadership Discussion
Moderator(s): Caroline Winn, Chief Executive Officer, San Diego Gas & Electric Company
Panelist(s): Steve Powell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Southern California Edison, Mike Hummel, General Manager & Chief Executive Officer, Salt River Project, Jason Sharpe, President, ATCO Natural Gas, Jimmie Cho, Chief Operating Officer, Southern California Gas Company
Join our members for a dynamic conversation on issues and opportunities facing our industry. This panel of senior executives truly represents WEI’s diverse membership as we explore different viewpoints, synergies, and opportunities for collaboration towards a clean energy future.
3:15 PM - 3:30 PM
Networking Break
3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Concurrent Meetings
Invitation-only leader committee meetings to design and inform WEI programs.
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
WEI Service Company Networking Event
It’s been a long three years since the last in person Annual Meeting. Reconnect with your colleagues this evening at an event hosted by our service company members. This reception style occasion is designed to promote interaction, networking, and reconnection. There will be heavy hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and a photo booth in a casual environment with options to sit or stand. Come join the fun!
7:45 AM - 8:45 AM
Breakfast and 2023 Western Energy Institute Theme
Speaker(s): Roger Dall'Antonia, President and CEO, FortisBC
Sponsored by Charge
8:45 AM - 9:30 AM
Networking Break
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
A Little Nudge; The Customers Role in Accelerating the Energy Transition
Speaker(s): Don Bailey, General Manager, Pipeline Division, Michels Pacific Energy, Mike Bakke, Accounting and Finance Manager, Montana-Dakota Utilities, Sharat Batra, Power Engineering Manager, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, Megan Davis, Senior IT Project Manager, Tacoma Public Utilities, Pamela Hardy, Credit and Collections Supervisor, ENSTAR Natural Gas Company, Michael Leyland, Manager, Innovative Initiatives, FortisBC
Efficiency programs are a pillar of the energy transition, and utilities must rely on customers to increasingly use energy more efficiently to help meet emission reduction targets. How can utilities both improve the customer experience and more effectively nudge customers to participate in these programs?
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Paradigm Shift to 2050: From Natural Competitors To Collaborative Allies
Speaker(s): Ashley Fenwick, Manager – Forestry Work Management, Hydro One Inc., Anna Wade, Business Line Manager, Eugene Water & Electric Board, Essen Otu, Manager of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Salt River Project, Laura Morgan, Operations Supervisor, FortisBC, Marquez Gonzales, Sr. Strategic Account Manager, Altec, Inc., Miguel Moncada, SMS Program Manager, Southern California Gas Company
What happens if energy providers shift from natural competitors to collaborative allies to achieve the common goal of carbon neutrality by 2050? Our capstone team seeks to explore, forecast and create a compelling vision for what this could mean for future generations and our industry by exploring the cooperative opportunities that exist between electric and gas providers to deliver a reliable, equitable, and affordable energy mix that meets customer expectations.
To arrive at our destination, we must first look at where we are today and how we got here. We must utilize existing infrastructure, markets, and industry interdependencies to maximize these collaborative opportunities that exist both behind and in front of the meter.
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Networking Break
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Rate Concepts for the Energy Transition
Speaker(s): Nick Carter, Manager, Operations & Planning Engineering, Portland General Electric, Andrea Furman, Program Manager, ATCO Natural Gas, Kira Hutchens, Workforce Services Manager, Eugene Water & Electric Board, Monica Mogg, Environmental Specialist III, Williams Northwest Pipeline, Raquel D Onsurez, Plant Chemistry Supervisor, El Paso Electric Company, Joshua Rasin, Supervisor, Emerging Technologies, Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Utilities are faced with an unprecedented and accelerated energy transition that has a material impact on business optimization and customer requirements. We will explore the challenges and evaluate how utilities can evolve rate designs to meet changing business requirements and customer expectations.
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Building Partnerships That Last Through Customer Engagement
Speaker(s): Amanuel Moges, Manager, ENMAX Power IT, ENMAX Corporation, Jenni DeGreeff, Director, Engineering Services, New Mexico Gas Company, Paul Kiss, Operations Superintendent, Snohomish County PUD, Shawn Nieuwsma, Gas Supply Manager, MDU Utilities Group, Stephen Tao, Manager, Asset Management, ATCO Electric
There’s never been a time when customer engagement has mattered more. Our utility customers are expecting us to provide the same level of experience and capabilities as banks, telecommunications providers and ride hailing companies whose strategies, including customer choice, are driving and supporting Customer Engagement in what were once utilitarian sectors. Customer Engagement drives loyalty, retention, and highlights the relevance of the Utility in our customers’ lives.
In an era of decarbonization, electrification, energy transition, sustainability, and a challenging regulatory environment, we, the utilities, cannot go at it alone. This group will facilitate a panel discussion that will explore opportunities to strengthen and leverage Customer Engagement to propel the utilities into our uncertain future through innovation, customer partnership and advocacy.
11:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Networking Break
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Innovate or Die
Speaker(s): Kat Bridwell, Department Manager / Sr. Project Engineer, POWER Engineers, Inc., Toni Hoang, Enterprise Risk Manager, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Nathan Hoffart, Manager, Customer Solutions, SaskPower, Greg Sancewich, Manager, Real Estate Services, Seattle City Light, Sunny Shokar, Manager, Capital Reporting, Apex Utilities Inc., Erin Henlin, Manager, Talent Development, Southwest Gas Corporation
Traditional utilities are faced with complex issues and dramatic changes in innovation and technology, driven by clean, reliable, and affordable energy solutions. As customers have come to embrace these changes; the challenge for traditional utilities is to continue the status quo or reimagine what’s possible.
Keeping the status quo assumes the world will remain unchanging and that others aren’t using this transitionary time to find a way to disrupt the traditional utility model.
The story of UtilityX explores areas of service that are otherwise untouched and focused on a particular customer need. The need for customer-centric approach is especially true in the era of personalization. UtilityX breaks the traditional utility model and redefines how energy and energy solutions are delivered to customers.
Join us for a brand-new talk show called The Disruptors! In this series, we are talking about the disruption of the traditional utility business model. Our guests will be the leadership team of UtilityX, who is taking the utility industry by storm and illustrating the art of the possible.
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Putting the V Back In EVP
Speaker(s): Eric Montag, Assistant Director, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, Meghna Khatri, Sr. Manager, California ISO, Michelle Heskett, Gas Operations Manager, Avista Utilities, Ravi K Parhar, Director, Legal Services, ENMAX Corporation, Seth Bandurraga, Supervisor Operations, Williams Northwest Pipeline, Sully Flores, Operations Superintendent, El Paso Electric Company
Our Capstone Project is about redesigning the Employee Value Proposition (EVP) to address concerns with employee retention and talent attraction. An EVP is the sum of all offerings and benefits employees receive in exchange for the time, services, skills, experiences, and capabilities they provide, but also signals the values of the company. The EVP is unique to each company, and it details the benefits an employee receives, including specific offerings such as salary, vacation time, pension, wellness, training, etc. Recent events have caused a large shift in the workplace and in the mentality of prospective as well as current employees. This shift is mainly related to the flexibility and optionality in the performance of employment and resultingly, expectations have changed. Industry is experiencing an employee market with what many are calling the ‘great resignation’, and in order to attract and retain top talent, employers are needing to become more creative in their EVP offerings, or they are simply going to be stagnant or regress. The needs or interests of employees and their respective values, individually and generationally, vary greatly and in many cases, there is a greater employee focus on physical and mental well-being and social responsibility, in addition to financial well-being. A comprehensive EVP can be created to accommodate these needs and wants, giving everyone the ability to tailor their benefits as they see fit to meet their personal/professional goals and needs.
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Networking Lunch
Sponsored by Groebner
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
Building a Resilient Workforce Ready to Embrace Change
Speaker(s): Tanya Bouchie, Director, System Performance & Standards, ENMAX Corporation, Habibou Maiga, Grid Planning and Optimization Manager, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, Diana Rushfeldt, Program Change Management and Business Transformation Manager, CIS Replacement Program, ATCO Natural Gas, John Wilcox, Director of Accounting, Avista Corp.
Changes are coming at us in every direction – expectations from customers, employees, regulators, evolving technology, decarbonization – the list goes on. The sheer volume and pace of change required and desired in the utility industry today is staggering. How quickly our organizations can adapt to the necessary changes will ultimately determine our success. While we may not know exactly what the future holds and what each specific change may look like, we do know that resilient teams are better equipped to adapt to changes.
While individuals have a baseline level of resilience there are opportunities to continue to develop resilient behaviors and skills that will serve to increase capacity in an organization. Leaders play a crucial role in setting up their teams to build and develop these skills. This presentation will explore how leaders can intentionally build an agile and resilient workforce through developing those skills in our existing employees and attracting future employees with the mindset needed to adapt and overcome in the face of transformational change.
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
Reality Check – Is There a Future for Extended Reality in the Utility Industry?
Speaker(s): Austin Antillon, Project Manager, Ferreira Power, Cynthia Hodges, HR Strategy and Operations, Portland General Electric, Erica Jacalone, Environmental Field Services Managers, Southern California Gas Company, Hina Arai, Senior Policy and Project Manager, Seattle City Light, Kayla Klassen, Manager, Environmental Performance & Reporting, SaskPower, Tyler Hansen, Stations Senior Manager, Idaho Power Company
There’s a potential for virtual, augmented and mixed reality to have wide applications across the energy industry. These technologies have the potential to support workers and save costs with real-time imaging and scanning that can be overlayed with virtual objects integrating layers of information in one visual frame. Our presentation aims to discuss why or why not a utility might pursue these technologies. We’ll explore the benefits and drawbacks of current and future applications of mixed reality through an engaging debate. The audience can expect insights on how mixed reality can add value to some of today’s emerging issues including safety, training and knowledge transfer, environmental stewardship, productivity, stakeholder engagement and remote work space. We aim to inform our audience through a thought provoking discussion on how mixed reality could be applied at their organizations. Can mixed reality add sufficient value, or do we need a reality check to move on?
2:00 PM - 2:15 PM
Networking Break
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
Disruptive Innovation: Reinventing Utility Supply Chains
Speaker(s): Sarah Allen, Manger Customer Interactions, NorthWestern Energy, Lance Hughes, Safety Program Manager, Eugene Water & Electric Board, Erin Potter, Manager, Operations Inventory SW & Logistics Support, SaskPower, Ryan Shin, Pipeline Safety Manager, Southern California Gas Company, Mitchell Wagner, Senior Distribution Engineering Technician, Central Lincoln PUD
Supply chain disruptions have hit utilities exceptionally hard, and the full scale of these impacts are finally starting to take shape. Material shortages and long delivery lead times are challenging all aspects of utility operations. The severity of the problem is being exacerbated by an inrush of orders from utilities attempting to stockpile as much material as possible and alleviate problematic inventory shortages. The resulting feedback-loop is causing manufacturers to further delay timelines for new orders. This is not a sustainable supply chain model, so the question becomes – what type of innovative solutions are possible for utilities to regain some control of their inventory? Taking inspiration from mutual aid agreements came forth the idea for Utility Supply Exchange Network or USENet. Similar to third party software apps like Uber, eBay or Craigslist, USENet would facilitate a platform that would connect utilities looking to buy, sell or exchange materials. Examples may include matching a company in need of materials with another company looking to shed excess inventory or one that has no plans for immediate usage. USENet would allow utilities to bypass manufacturers, potentially eliminate new orders, and help distribute material in a mutually beneficial fashion. Unprecedented times call for unprecedented solutions, and USENet is just that.
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
Navigating Equitable Energy
Speaker(s): Angela Long, Strategy & Planning Manager of Distributed Energy Planning (DRP), Portland General Electric, Christina Arndt, Manager, Water Utility, Snohomish County PUD, Richard Kiser, Supervisor Integrity Management Program, Dominion Energy Utah, Ted Burrell, General Manager EEDO, EPCOR Distribution and Transmission Inc.
What does equitable energy mean to your communities? Why is it an important part of the transition to a net zero carbon industry? Regulators are asking for and requiring community engagement, but only you know and can connect with your community! Proactively focus on how new partnerships can and will be formed and leveraged to benefit energy initiatives and plans, while building goodwill with communities, partners, and regulators.
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Networking Break
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
The Utility Connection
Speaker(s): Brian Booth, Sr. Mgr: Rates, Economics, & Energy Risk Management, Snohomish County PUD, Barbara Cenalmor Bruquetas, Manager, Market Strategies and Engagement, Salt River Project, Adam Plonsky, Manager, Environmental, Dominion Energy, Doug Rivard, Superintendent – Distribution Lines, Hydro One Inc., Sabi Valdez, Manager of Operator Training Center and Policies & Procedures, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, Jesse Wilson, Manager - Advanced Metering Infrastructure, EPCOR Distribution and Transmission Inc.
Tired of traditional utility monopolies? Sick of the same old same old, always putting their priorities ahead of yours? Join us for another exciting episode of “The Utility Connection,” where the utilities compete for your business! One very eligible customer will have a chance to interview four utilities, all of which will put their best foot forward in the hopes of being the utility of choice. Who will get the customer and who will lose out? Find out on “The Utility Connection!”
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Back to the Future: Creating a Culture of Innovation to Move Forward
Speaker(s): Crystal M Allen, Innovation Program Manager, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Lynn Ranf, Internal Audit Manager, NorthWestern Energy, David Stratichuk, Manager Operation Technology, FortisAlberta Inc., Ramanathan Veeraraghavan, Project Delivery and Support Services Manager, Tacoma Public Utilities, Robert Lindsay, General Manger, Inuvik Gas, ATCO Natural Gas, Wilhelmina Proby, Customer Contact Center Manager, NW Natural
Our current utility model is losing relevance, and our industry its identity. We must create a culture of innovation and creative thinking to address issues around workforce and climate change to ensure that we survive our rapidly changing world. Using history to explore lessons learned we will “travel through time” to develop a strategic plan for our future.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Break
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Reception, Dinner and Graduation Ceremony for Business Acumen
All Annual Meeting attendees encouraged to attend.
Sponsored by SENSIT Technologies
Please contact the hotel directly at (858) 558-1500 to reserve your room. Identify yourself as being with Western Energy Institute (WEI)and use the discount code ‘WEI922’ to receive a special rate of $235 USD/night. This rate is guaranteed until September 2, 2022 or until the WEI room block is full.
If you have any reservations questions or changes, please reach out to Kristin Walker, Senior Event Manager at the Hilton Ja Jolla Torrey Pines at 858-450-4538.
11:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Registration + Check In
Catch up with your mentor or mentee and plan to sit together for lunch. If your mentor or mentee can’t attend, Diana will help pair you up with another mentor or mentee.
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
Lunch + Networking
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Leadership Journey
Speaker: Mahvash Yazdi, President, Feasible Management Consulting
We have an opportunity to learn best practices from Mahvash’s firsthand experiences as she navigated the energy industry. She will high-light challenges women face in the industry, how she promotes diversity, promoting women in the industry, leadership styles and conflict strategies.
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Reflection and Wrap Up
Speaker: Christy Fanous, Southern California Edison
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Welcome Reception
Effective August 18, 2022, proof of vaccination status or results of a negative COVID-19 test will not be required for admittance into most WEI-hosted programs.
WEI continues to monitor all federal level CDC, Canadian government and public health agency recommendations, as well as local ordinances, as a policy baseline for in-person programs. We encourage all attendees to review the current guidelines related to isolation and precautions prior to traveling to a WEI event, as well as guidance for traveling to and from Canada, which may differ from guidance for traveling to or from the United States.
Some WEI-hosted programs may require proof of vaccination status, if essential for participation, in which case WEI will communicate this requirement in advance of the program start date.
Please refer to WEI’s Safety + Health Code of Conduct for other important considerations.