Columbus, OH: The 2021 American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) Annual Conference, which took place in Columbus Sept. 20-22, provided attendees (in-person and virtually) with a full schedule of sessions led by industry experts and leaders, and celebrated the organization’s 50th anniversary.
Following AMP President/CEO Jolene Thompson’s opening remarks, participants welcomed American Public Power Association President/CEO Joy Ditto, Transmission Access Policy Study Group Executive Director Terry Huval and Large Public Power Council President John Di Stasio for a panel discussion about the value of public power and the key issues impacting the industry.
On day two, conference participants heard from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Commissioner Allison Clements, PJM Interconnection President and CEO Manu Asthana, and Midcontinent Independent System Operator CEO John Bear for a panel discussion on the current power industry challenges and projections of the future, as well as the federal perspective on Regional Transmission Organizations and markets.
The conference covered timely topics and trends in the power industry, including updates on power markets presented by NextEra Energy Resources Managing Director of Energy Market Analysis Mike Zenker; a session on workforce development with a presentation from Center for Energy Workforce Development Executive Director Missy Henricksen; a panel discussion about electric vehicles, featuring Tesla Global Charging and Energy Policy Lead Patrick Bean, Electric Drive Transportation Association Vice President Genevieve Cullen and Alliance for Transportation Electrification Executive Director Philip Jones; and a discussion about “What Customers Really Want,” featuring a presentation from E Source Chief Instigation Agent Bill LeBlanc. Conference participants also heard from Gartner Vice President Analyst Ethan Cohen and Kanner & Associates President Marty Kanner. AMP thanks the speakers who participated in this year’s conference.
In addition to the many sessions and events, AMP held its General Membership Meeting on Sept. 21.
AMP At-Large Board Seats and Board Elections
During the AMP General Membership Meeting, elections were held for four expiring at-large AMP Board of Trustees seats. The AMP member communities of Bryan, Montpelier, Oberlin and Orrville were re-elected to three-year terms.
Following the General Membership Meeting, the AMP Board of Trustees met to elect officers for the coming year. The following individuals were re-elected to leadership positions:
Chair – Jeff Brediger, City of Orrville
Vice Chair – Robert Patrick, City of Wadsworth
Secretary – Dave Carroll, City of Paducah
Treasurer – Chris Monacelli, City of Westerville
AMP Seven Hats Award
Al Fiser, village administrator for the Village of Pioneer, received the prestigious AMP Seven Hats Award during the Awards Banquet on Sept. 21. Initiated in 1984 to recognize utility managers who serve smaller communities, the AMP Seven Hats Award is presented annually to an official in a community of less than 2,500 electric meters. Award winners show skill in seven areas: planning and design, administration, public relations, field supervision, accounting, personnel or employee direction, and community leadership.
Read the full announcement and official news release here.
Awards were also given to individuals and communities in the categories of electric system sustainability, innovation, public power promotion, safety and system improvement.