Annual AMP/OMEA conference continues success

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COLUMBUS — More than 400 participants took part in the 2017 American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP)/Ohio Municipal Electric Association (OMEA) Conference held in Columbus Sept. 25 through 28.

Following the welcome and opening session with AMP President/CEO Marc Gerken, AMP and OMEA welcomed Delia Patterson, acting senior vice president of advocacy and communications, and general counsel of the American Public Power Association. Patterson provided an update on challenges and opportunities currently facing public power. Conference participants also heard from Amy Myers Jaffe, leading expert on global energy policy, discussing key industry trends and topics, as well as from information technology and cybersecurity expert, Dr. Dale Meyerrose, who provided insight into risks associated with new technologies in the utility industry.

During the conference, participants were able to attend panel discussions regarding peak shaving – including what members can do to lower costs, what rating agencies look for from municipal utilities, and state and federal legislative updates. AMP and the OMEA would like to thank all of the outstanding speakers for 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, Village of Wellington

Vice Chair – Jeff Brediger, City of Orrville

Secretary – Kevin Maynard, City of Bryan

Treasurer – Patrick McCullar, Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation

AMP Wall of Fame

Keith Brooks, retired legislative counsel to OMEA, was named the 2018 AMP Wall of Fame recipient during the Awards Banquet on Sept. 27 at the AMP/OMEA Conference.

Brooks will be inducted to the AMP Wall of Fame during a celebration next April.

AMP Seven Hats Award

Bruce Metz, village administrator for the Village of Jackson Center, was named recipient of the prestigious AMP Seven Hats Award during the Awards Banquet on Sept. 27. 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.

Staff report

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