Apr

26-28

Business Acumen for Emerging Leaders: Opportunity (Apr 26-28)

An intensive training for high potential managers and supervisors through exposure to broad perspectives of the utility business, its interrelationships and successful leadership strategies. This program is designed by a utility-driven Curriculum Development Team, and directed by facilitators, and executive and alumni mentors. Program sessions are hosted by member utilities and topics are presented by executives, subject matter experts and formal instructors. The first four sessions focus on leadership development, industry perspectives, customer connections, communications and strategic planning. The program includes a capstone project which is delivered to industry leaders at the WEI Annual Meeting. Participants build a broad peer network that continues well into their future careers.

General Details

  • Program Chair(s)
  • Jana Elliott, Chief of Staff, City of Seattle

    • Program Location
    • Southern California Gas Company, Energy Resource Center
    • 9240 Firestone Blvd Downey, CA 90241
    • Who Should Attend
    • Participants are nominated by WEI members and selected through a formal application review process. Applicants make a commitment to attend and actively participate at each session, and should plan time for additional work between sessions. It is expected that students commit to completing “homework” assignments during evenings and off-hours with additional assignments required outside of the normal work day. Each group is assigned one executive and one alumni mentor who will support the group’s development throughout the program and guide them to a successful final project.

  • General Cancellation Policy
  • Due to contractual obligations and the critical role of group compositions for the success of the program, cancellations received after January 15, 2022, will not be eligible for a refund, and the organization will be responsible for the full 2022 registration fee. Substitutions from your organization for the program are always welcome prior to the first day of fundamentals training, which is February 7, 2022.
  • Participation Policy
  • Western Energy Institute programs and events are open to energy companies (including gas production and electric generation, gas and electric transmission and gas and electric distribution utilities). Select programs and events are open to energy industry product and service suppliers. Programs and events are closed to all media representatives and to the general public. Recording is not permitted for any portion of the event.
  • For more information contact Christopher Lee, Senior Program Manager at (971) 303-2111.

Agenda

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

Travel to Pico Facility

Meet in the hotel lobby at 12:15pm for the tour.

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Industry Tour

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Networking Dinners

Dinners in small groups by capstone and/or cohort.

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

7:30 AM - 8:00 AM

Breakfast at hotel

Breakfast is included for those staying at the Embassy Suites

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Travel to host utility

Transportation provided.

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Welcome to Session 2
Facilitator(s): Jana Elliott, Chief of Staff, Seattle City Light, Carol Mak, Director - Program Management Office, Southern California Gas Company

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Welcome to Southern California Gas Company
Speaker(s): Gillian Wright, SVP and Chief Customer Officer, Southern California Gas Company

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Networking Break

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Elevator Speeches

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Homework Discussion

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Networking Lunch

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

Capstone Work Time

1:45 PM - 2:00 PM

Networking Break

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Executive Networking

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Networking Break

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Executive Panel
Moderator(s): Rahima Butler, Managing Director, KPMG LLP
Panelist(s): Jimmie Cho, Chief Operating Officer, Southern California Gas Company, Reiko A Kerr, Senior Assistant General Manager - Power System Engineering, Planning, and Technical Services, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, William Walsh, Vice President, Energy Procurement & Management, Southern California Edison

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Reception

Sponsored by: KPMG

6:45 PM - 7:00 PM

Return to hotel

Transportation provided.

Thursday, April 28, 2022

7:30 AM - 8:00 AM

Breakfast at hotel

Breakfast is included for those staying at the Embassy Suites

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Travel to host utility

Transportation provided.

8:30 AM - 8:45 AM

Welcome to Day 3

8:45 AM - 9:00 AM

Elevator Speeches

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Executive Speaker
Speaker(s): Jeffery Walker, Sr. VP, Chief Administrative and Diversity Officer, Southern California Gas Company

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Networking Break

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Elevator Speeches

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Industry Roundtable

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Networking Lunch

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

Capstone Collaboration

1:45 PM - 2:30 PM

Capstone Report Out

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Debrief and Close

Hotel + Travel

  • Reservation Instructions
  • Please contact the hotel directly at (562) 861-1900 to reserve your room. Identify yourself as being with Western Energy Institute (WEI) Business Acumen for Emerging Leaders to receive a special rate of $150 USD/night. This rate is guaranteed until April 11, 2022 or until the WEI room block is full.

Onsite Safety + Health Info

It is WEI’s policy that anyone attending a WEI-hosted program be vaccinated for COVID-19. This policy does allow for a negative COVID-19 test to be submitted in lieu of vaccination if the attendee is unable to receive the vaccine and if permitted by local host cities or venues. This policy applies to all WEI staff, as well as attendees, guests, speakers, and exhibitors.

Fully vaccinated is defined by the United States or Canadian governments. WEI accepts the following as proof of vaccination: (1) a CDC or Provincial-issued vaccination card, (2) a photo of a CDC or Provincial-issued vaccination card (front and back); (3) a document of vaccination from a licensed healthcare provider; or (4) a digital vaccine record issued by the State or Province in which the attendee resides.

Proof of a negative COVID-19 test means a printed document or image on a phone from a test provider, laboratory, or government agency-approved at-home test method that shows a negative result of a PCR or antigen COVID-19 test within 72 hours before first entry.

Attendees must show a picture or document with vaccine status or a negative test result upon arrival at the program. Attendees without the required proof will be denied entry. No refunds will be given if any attendee is denied entry due to vaccine and/or testing requirements.

Please refer to WEI’s Safety + Health Code of Conduct for other important considerations.

Program Sponsors

Thank you to our program sponsors!

Meet The Speakers

Jana Elliott

Seattle City Light

Chief of Staff

Carol Mak

Southern California Gas Company

Director - Program Management Office
Learn More

Carol Mak is Director of Gas Control and System Planning at Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), a Sempra regulated California utility. In this role, she is responsible for gas control, supervisory control and data acquisition, system planning, capacity products, and gas scheduling.

Previously, Carol was Director of Construction Program Management Office. Carol has been at SoCalGas since 2005, and has held roles with increasing responsibilities in engineering, regulatory, policy, market development, commercial and industrial services, underground storage, and integrity management.

Carol received her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Cal Poly Pomona and is a licensed Professional Engineer.

Jimmie Cho

Southern California Gas Company

Chief Operating Officer
Learn More

Jimmie Cho is chief operating officer (COO) for Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), a Sempra regulated California utility.

Previously, he was senior vice president of customer service for SoCalGas and gas distribution operations for SoCalGas and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). Before that, Cho held increasingly responsible management roles in the areas of gas transmission and storage operations; engineering and major projects; human resources, diversity and inclusion; customer communications, research and web strategy; safety and emergency services; and customer service field operations.

In addition to his tenure with SoCalGas, he formerly served as director of resource conservation and public outreach at the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District.

Cho serves on the board of directors of the National Utilities Diversity Council. He holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from Brown University and a master’s degree in civil engineering from Stanford University.

Gillian Wright

Southern California Gas Company

SVP and Chief Customer Officer
Learn More

Gillian Wright is senior vice president and chief customer officer for Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), a Sempra Energy regulated California utility. She is responsible for the SoCalGas customer services operations, customer solutions and gas acquisition organizations.

Previously, as chief human resources, administrative and environmental officer of SoCalGas, Wright oversaw the SoCalGas human resources, fleet, facilities, environmental services, supply management and logistics organizations.

She joined SoCalGas as a regulatory analyst in 1999 and has held increasingly responsible management roles in regulatory affairs and customer service for SoCalGas since then.

Wright is a member of the board of the California State University Foundation, LA Family Housing, Western Energy Institute and Los Angeles Business Council. She is also past chair and a former member of the board for the Energy Solutions Center and a graduate of Leadership California. Wright holds a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Reed College.

Jeffery Walker

Southern California Gas Company

Sr. VP, Chief Administrative and Diversity Officer

Reiko A Kerr

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power

Senior Assistant General Manager - Power System Engineering, Planning, and Technical Services
Learn More

Reiko Kerr is LADWP’s Senior Assistant General Manager of Power System. She manages all aspects of the Power System’s critical engineering and planning functions. She is responsible for Power System’s strategic planning, resource acquisition, system planning, regulatory compliance, power plant projects, external generation, and major projects, as well as modernization of all electrical distribution and transmission facilities to ensure the long-term reliability of the power system to meet customer expectations.
In addition to maintaining system reliability, Ms. Kerr is responsible for developing strategies to transition toward a sustainable energy future, improving public accountability, and developing the next generation workforce.

Prior to joining LADWP in 2016, Ms. Kerr served in various capacities for another Southern California Publicly Owned Utility, including the Assistant General Manager for Power Resources, Assistant General Manager/Chief Financial Officer, Energy Risk Manager, and Finance/Rates Manager.
Ms. Kerr is a Certified Public Accountant and an experienced utility professional, with over 25 years in the financial and utility utilities industries, with a strong leadership background in both the technical and financial aspects of water and power utilities.

William Walsh

Southern California Edison

Vice President, Energy Procurement & Management

Rahima Butler

KPMG LLP

Managing Director