Business Acumen for Emerging Leaders: Challenge (Jun 25-27)

Adam J. Richins, Vice President of Customer Operations and Business Development, assumed his role on March 1, 2017. In his role, Richins oversees Customer Operations, Business Development, and Customer Relations and Energy Efficiency.

Richins has been with Idaho Power since 2011, when he joined the company as Senior Counsel in the Legal department. He has served as Idaho Power’s General Manager of Customer Operations Engineering and Construction since January 2014. Previously, Richins worked at the law firm of Stoel Rives, where he litigated complex business disputes and negotiated multi-million dollar commercial transactions. Richins also clerked for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and worked as an engineer on large construction projects, including airports and schools.

Richins holds two Bachelor of Science degrees, one in mathematics from the University of Puget Sound and a second in civil engineering from Columbia University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He earned his law degree from the University of Washington with high honors. Richins graduated from Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program in 2016.

Angelique Rood joined Idaho Power Company’s human resources team in 2006. She spent nine years in the HR department holding the positions of HR Professional, HR Leader and Employment Manager. In 2015, Angelique moved to the operations side of the business and became the Regional Operations Manager over Idaho Power’s Southern region. In this role, she was responsible for daily operations of the regional electric distribution system to include all distribution line, metering, and customer movement/collection work activities. In 2017, Angelique accepted the role of Regional Manager for the Company’s Canyon West Region where she provides oversight of customer and distribution operations including distribution design, field services, construction, emergency restoration, customer and community relations, and business development. Angelique currently serves on Governor Otter’s Workforce Development Council and is the Chair of the Council’s Apprenticeship committee. In her free time Angelique enjoys her four children and farming with her husband, Chris.

Krista West began her career with Idaho Power as advertising coordinator in the Corporate Communications Department in 2004. She was promoted to Brand Manager in 2012. In this role, she works to enhance the company image and leads the company’s advertising efforts.

Krista grew up in Washington and graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. She has worked in variety of communications and marketing positions over the past 30 years. She moved to Idaho in 1998 and enjoys many of the outdoor activities this area has to offer.

Seka Ojdrovic-Phillips is an Associate at The Humphrey Group where she works with organizations to develop programs that help leaders at all levels inspire action by the way they communicate. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Gonzaga University in Spokane with a focus in Marketing and Public Relations as well as a Masters in Organizational Psychology which she earned while living in Vancouver BC. Among other adventures, Seka lived in Wellington, New Zealand for four years writing speeches for Ministers of Parliament for the Ministry of Social Development and has also served as a Communications Consultant in Seattle. Along the way she has learned the importance of organizing data in an INSPIRATIONAL way… rather than getting too caught up in the information.

Neena Master is the Director of Customer Contact Centers for Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), the nation’s largest natural gas distribution company serving nearly 21 million consumers. SoCalGas has over 8,000 employees and is headquartered in Los Angeles.

Previously, Neena has experience in community relations, pipeline safety, billing operations, customer services and marketing. Neena has over 20 years in the utility industry and has working experience with energy, federal and local government agencies, and manufacturing industries. Neena also sits on the Board of Directors for the Orangewood Foundation, Orange County Human Relations and Korean Health Education, Information, and Research (KHEIR) organizations. She is a Certified Energy Manager and has earned a Master Degree of Business Administration from Claremont Graduate University in 1999 and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from University of Southern California in 1995.

Natalie has worked for Idaho Power as a wildlife biologist for 22 years, the last 13 managing the avian protection program for Idaho Power. She received a M.S. degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Go Huskers!