Oct

26

Key Accounts – Virtual (Oct 26)

Utilities proactively partner with industrial, commercial and other large customers to better understand their needs, anticipate load, improve services, maintain competitive edge and stabilize the grid in their service territory. Join key accounts directors and managers to share best practices, and develop creative solutions to current challenges. The meeting format features a keynote from the host utility and ample time dedicated to roundtable conversation for members to share information and effective strategies for managing key accounts. Breakout sessions are utilized to provide more focused and relevant conversation as needed. Overall program content covers a wide range of topics, including: alternative energy; customer communication and education; organizational approaches and metrics for managing KA departments; new customer programs and business development.

General Details

  • Program Chair(s)
  • Rebecca Aleshire, Senior Account Executive, Southern California Gas Company

    • Program Location
    • Virtual Event
    • No travel required. All agenda times are in Pacific time. Instructions to access the virtual event will be provided to the attendee before the program.
    • Who Should Attend
      • Directors and Senior Managers of Key Account teams
      • Senior Account Managers
      • Major Accounts or Major Customer Representatives
      • Energy Solutions/Strategic Energy Partners or Advisors
      • Commercial or Industrial Account Services
      • Key Account Representatives
  • Registration Options
  • Member: $199 USD

    Registration includes virtual access to all agenda items and digital program materials.

  • General Cancellation Policy
  • Due to contractual obligations, cancellations received 15 business days prior to the program will receive a full refund. Cancellations received 6 to 14 business days prior to the event will receive a refund, less a $100 administrative fee. No shows and last minute cancellations, 5 business days prior to the event or less, will be responsible for the full registration fee. Substitutions from your organization for the same event are always welcome.
  • 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 Amy Carlow, Program Manager at (971) 303-1716.

Agenda

All session times are listed in Pacific time.

Thursday, October 26, 2023

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

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.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Welcome + Introductions
Facilitator(s): Rebecca Aleshire, Senior Account Executive, Southern California Gas Company

Come prepared to introduce yourself, share your role, and what you hope to gain from today's forum. Come prepared to highlight a success that you and your team have overcome and also what challenges you are facing.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

New Changes Affecting Customers: Regulations and Policy Updates
Speaker(s): Kevin Barker, Senior Manager, Energy Policy, Southern California Gas Company, Colin Turner, Deputy Director, Government & Regulatory Affairs, Canadian Gas Association

Hear from colleagues about policies and regulations that are affecting
the industry across the West.

Topics include:
– Adopted Regulations for the transportation sector including Advanced
Clean Cars II, Advanced Clean Trucks, and Advanced Clean Fleets
– Proposed appliance emission standards for commercial and residential
heating appliances
– Policy updates regarding clean fuels, specifically RNG, hydrogen and
carbon capture.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Gaining Perspective: Hear From a Key Accounts Customer
Speaker(s): Chris Perry, CEO, Perry Family Farm, Zelinda Welch, Associate Director of Sustainability, USC Facilities Planning and Management

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Break

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Future Planning With WEI

Share topic ideas for future discussion and learn how to get involved in planning for the Spring Key Accounts Executive Forum.

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Roundtable Discussion: Utilities Adapting To Customer Generation Technologies
Facilitator(s): Paul Babb, Manager - Community Relations, NorthWestern Energy, Paul Alvillar, Manager of Large Business Account Management, Salt River Project

Discussion on various onsite customer generation technologies and what approaches utilities are taking to recover costs and incorporate them into their grid e.g., infrastructure updates, standby/backup services, etc.

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

How Utilities Segment Customer Base Within Key Accounts Departments
Facilitator(s): Paul Alvillar, Manager of Large Business Account Management, Salt River Project
Speaker(s): Edneisha Lee, Account Advisor, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power

How does your department segment your key account customer base? Share your experience and learn about various strategies from other utilities.

Meet The Speakers

Paul Alvillar

Salt River Project

Manager of Large Business Account Management

Edneisha Lee

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power

Account Advisor

Paul Babb

NorthWestern Energy

Manager - Community Relations

Kevin Barker

Southern California Gas Company

Senior Manager, Energy Policy
Learn More

Kevin Barker has served as the SoCalGas Senior Manager of Energy and Environmental Policy since 2021. Our primary role is to monitor, interact, and comment on policy and regulatory changes at the California Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission (CEC), and Air Quality Management Districts. Prior to joining SoCalGas he was the director of the Fuels and Transportation Division at the CEC and Chief of Staff to the CEC Chair. He received bachelor’s degrees from the University of California Irvine in Environmental Science and Film and Media Studies.

Rebecca Aleshire

Southern California Gas Company

Senior Account Executive

Chris Perry

Perry Family Farm

CEO

Zelinda Welch

USC Facilities Planning and Management

Associate Director of Sustainability
Learn More

As the Associate Director of Sustainability at USC, and Co- Chair of Operations Committee of the Presidential Working Group on Sustainability, Zelinda is responsible for planning, promoting, driving, and supporting sustainability throughout campus operations and built environment, as well as tracking and reporting on USC’s Assignment: Earth sustainability framework goals. This effort covers USC’s expansive portfolio of over 250 buildings encompassing 16 million square feet sited on more than 230 acres of land.

USC has committed to aggressive sustainability goals related to significantly reducing GHG, water and waste footprints, and Zelinda is responsible for leading efforts around long-term master planning on topics from decarbonization to zero-waste efforts. She spearheaded installation of USC’s first major solar array at the Galen Center sports arena, and negotiated with LADWP for acquisition of renewable energy that will cover ~25% of USC‘s energy usage.

Previously, Zelinda served in several positions across the energy efficiency and solar industries, working to promote and implement utility programs along with energy efficiency, sustainability, and renewable energy projects.

Zelinda holds a Master of Business Administration from University of Southern California and a Bachelors of Arts in International and Intercultural Studies from Pitzer College.

Colin Turner

Canadian Gas Association

Deputy Director, Government & Regulatory Affairs