COLUMBUS: More than 400 participants took part in the 2016 American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP)/Ohio Municipal Electric Association (OMEA) Conference held in Columbus Sept. 26-29. Connect – Develop – Focus was the theme of this year’s conference and attendees had the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of discussions and informational sessions.
Following the Conference Opening Session with AMP President/CEO Marc Gerken, AMP and OMEA welcomed Sue Kelly, president and CEO of the American Public Power Association. Kelly spoke on some of the challenges and opportunities for public power in the evolving energy markets. During the conference, participants were able to attend panel discussions regarding how solar and battery storage is reshaping the power supply landscape, insurance and risk management, and regulatory updates. There were also sessions covering topics including energy markets, transmission congestion and financial transmission rights (FTR) auctions, economic outlook for the region and the nation, energy efficiency and technology-enabled customer service. AMP and the OMEA would like to thank all of the outstanding speakers participating in this year’s conference.
In addition to the many sessions and events, AMP, OMEA and the various project participants held membership meetings throughout the four-day annual conference.
AMP Board Leadership Elections
As part of the annual conference, the AMP Board of Trustees met to elect officers for the coming year. The following individuals were re-elected to leadership positions:
Chair – Steve Dupee, City of Oberlin
Vice Chair – Jeff Brediger, City of Orrville
Secretary – Kevin Maynard, City of Hamilton
Treasurer – Patrick McCullar, Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation
John Bentine
During the conference, AMP and OMEA recognized long-time AMP General Counsel John Bentine, who is retiring at the end of January 2017 after more than 35 years in the position. Bentine was named AMP general counsel in 1981 and has been instrumental in the growth and evolution of both AMP and OMEA during his service to the organizations. Bentine will be inducted to the AMP Wall of Fame during a celebration next April.
AMP Seven Hats Award
Johnnie Burns, electric and water superintendent for the Village of Yellow Springs, was named recipient of the prestigious Seven Hats Award during the Awards Banquet on Sept. 28. Initiated in 1966 to recognize utility managers who serve smaller communities, the AMP Seven Hats Award is given annually to an official in communities 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.
Awards were also given to individuals and communities in the categories of electric system sustainability, finance, innovation, public power promotion, safety, and system improvement.
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