This program focuses on sharing best practices and building relationships with other leaders in claims and collection management, and offers insights from guest speakers who have been expert witnesses in claims investigations. Discussions address a wide variety of issues around balancing the need to protect utility assets with the ever-increasing priorities of providing an excellent customer experience. Participants learn from industry professionals who provide services to our members, and discuss issues common to Western utilities such as fire and storm recoveries, inverse condemnation, settlement and negotiations, and proper record keeping.
*Service company members are encouraged to attend and are permitted two registrations per company. Exceptions may apply; contact nye@westernenergy.org for more information.
Member: $199 USD
Regular: $299 USD
Registration includes digital access to all agenda items and program materials.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Virtual Help Desk + Technology Check
The room will open early with optional time for participants to get familiar with the virtual platform, test their audio and webcam, or ask questions about the agenda before we begin.
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Welcome + Opening Remarks
Facilitator(s): Robert Everett, Finance Team Leader II, Idaho Power Company, Yecora Leaphart-Daniels, Sr. Legal Professional, Idaho Power Company
Speaker(s): Justin Forsberg, Director of Investor Relations & Treasury, Idaho Power Company
WEI and the Program Hosts will welcome the group to the 2021 Claims + Damage Recovery Forum and share an overview of Idaho Power Company.
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Attendee Introductions
Facilitator(s): Robert Everett, Finance Team Leader II, Idaho Power Company, Yecora Leaphart-Daniels, Sr. Legal Professional, Idaho Power Company
Get to know your peers through our attendee introductions. Come prepared to share your name, title, company, and one take away you hope to gain from the meeting.
1:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Break
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
AMI Claims
Speaker(s): Dawn Clemenshaw, Senior Claims Representative, Puget Sound Energy, Raymond Fung, Senior Claims Agent, Puget Sound Energy
Puget Sound Energy will share the history of their AMI project, an overview of their claims process, the types of claims they see after change-out, and examples of unique claims that have been paid as a result of meter exchange. The session will conclude with interactive Q+A.
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Break
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Challenges + Successes: Roundtable Breakout Session
Attendees will be placed in small groups to discuss their current challenges and share success stories from the past year. At the conclusion of the session, all attendees will reconvene in the main room to share themes and insights from their discussion. Each group should designate one person to do the report out. Question prompts include:
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Coffee Break
Bring your morning beverage and log on early for optional time to network and socialize with other participants.
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Finding Recovery in the Ashes
Speaker(s): JD Stewart, Senior Fire Investigator, EFI Global, Inc.
Hear from EFI Global's forensic investigator on the importance of a comprehensive fire scene examination for determining the origin and cause of a fire, evidence recovery, and identifying a component or third-party action that contributed to it.
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
Break
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM
What's New in Technology + Innovation?
Speaker(s): Eric Moreno, Sr. Business Analyst, Claims Management, Southern California Gas Company
What is Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and how can we use it to solve business challenges and boost efficiency? Eric Moreno will walk us through these questions and explain how Sempra is using RPA technology to transform a manual claims process to an automated process by developing integration with other systems. He’ll also share tips on digital transformation and how to use data analytics to predict business outcomes and inform decision-making.
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Break
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Roundtable Breakout Session
Facilitator(s): Nichole Rush, Damage Claims Representative, Idaho Power Company, Shawna Arndorfer, Supervisor, Liability & Recovery Claims, Portland General Electric, Kat Rosenbaum, Senior Legal Counsel & Claims Manager, NW Natural, Stephanie Baxter, Senior Risk and Land Agent, NW Natural
This time is designated for group discussion on a particular topic of interest. Each breakout session will be facilitated by a member of Program Development Team and participants will have the opportunity to attend the breakout room of their choice. Topics include:
11:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Wrap Up + Future Planning
We will wrap up the day with closing announcements and a discussion on plans for the 2022 forum.