80 YEARS STRONG AND REACHING TOWARD THE FUTURE
For 80 years, NWPPA has been serving and supporting members’ education, communication, and legislative advocacy needs. This year, we celebrate those member partnerships and look at the future of energy resources, technology, and services for public power. Don’t miss this learning and networking opportunity, where outstanding speakers, panels, experts, and your peers will share their rich knowledge and experience.
AGENDA
Wednesday, September 9 (Pre-conference Events)
2:30 - 4 p.m.
Government Relations Committee
All NWPPA members are encouraged to participate in the Government Relations Committee meeting. Attendees will receive updates on legislative and regulatory issues that are before Congress and the administration. Additionally, members will have the opportunity to review the 2020 proposed resolutions before their consideration at the Annual Business Meeting.
4 - 4:30 p.m.
Virtual Networking
A virtual opportunity to casually reconnect with colleagues around the region, meet new faces, and share stories.
Thursday, September 10
8:30 - 9 a.m.
Room Open & Networking Coffee
Hosts: Scott Corwin, Executive Director, Mike Hyatt-Evenson, Director of Learning and Workforce Development, NWPPA
Grab a cup of coffee and log on early to join in some lighthearted trivia and polls, network with others, and be entered to win prizes.
9 - 10:30 a.m.
Opening Session and Annual Business Meeting
President’s Welcome
Ron Holmes, 2019-2020 NWPPA Board President, and Vice President, Wasco Electric Cooperative
Keynote: Opening Address
Speaker: Joy Ditto, President and CEO, American Public Power Association
Our industry remains strong and focused in these uncertain times. As we weather this storm, we will continue to change to meet industry demands. Ditto will discuss key insights on the state of the industry and provide perspective on how public power can continue to reach for the future, no matter the future’s uncertainty.
Keynote: Deputy Secretary of Interior on Wildfire and Land Management in a Pandemic
Speakers: Kate MacGregor, Deputy Secretary, and Kiel Weaver, Associate Deputy Secretary, of the U.S. Department of Interior
The pandemic is not the only key focus for utilities preparing for the future. Proactive planning and land management, early response, and safety continue to play a large part in wildfire mitigation. Hear guidance from leaders at the U.S. Department of the Interior on the state of wildfire strategy and land management during the pandemic.
Annual Business Meeting
After a brief talk with the President and Executive Director on the state of NWPPA in this unprecedented year, delegates from each member utility will have the opportunity to vote on new Trustees, Resolutions, and Bylaws changes. Additional utility personnel are encouraged to participate in this meeting.
10:30 - 10:45 a.m.
Break
View information about our generous sponsors, and hurry back for an opportunity to win raffle prizes.
10:45 - 11:45 a.m.
Second General Session – Awards and Keynote
First Awards Presentation
Esteemed award winners will be announced and honored.
Keynote: Innovation and Reaching for the Future
Speaker: Jeremy Gutsche, NYT Bestselling Author, CEO, Trend Hunter
Dynamic author and speaker Jeremy Gutsche’s talk on innovation and cutting-edge trends is a timely must-see to inform strategic decision-making at your utility. We are excited to offer a free copy of his latest book, Create the Future + The Innovation Handbook to the first 175 annual meeting registrants. Gutsche’s book discusses how to think disruptively and includes a revised edition of his award-winning book, Exploiting Chaos.
11:45 – 11:55 a.m.
Break
Refresh your beverage, check your email, grab some snacks then hop back on for our informative lunch and learn session.
11:55 a.m – 12:20 p.m.
Lunch and Learn
The Future of the Political Landscape
Speaker: Dan Lavey, President/Partner, Gallatin Public Affairs
Hear straight from the expert in an interactive session on the pre-election political landscape in the Northwest and nationally.
Sponsored by Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange
12:20 – 12:30 p.m.
Break
View information about our generous sponsors, and hurry back for an opportunity to win raffle prizes before settling in for the dynamic CEO panel discussion.
12:30 – 2:15 p.m.
Third General Session – CEO Insights, Final Awards, Closing
CEO Panel
Moderator: Scott Corwin, Executive Director, Northwest Public Power Association
Panelists: Libby Calnon, General Manager, Hood River Electric Cooperative; David Hagen, General Manager, Clearwater Power Company; Arlen Orchard, CEO/General Manager, Sacramento Municipal Utility District; and Lena Wittler, CEO/General Manager, Clark Public Utilities
Always filled with thought provoking perspectives, the panel promises to be an especially lively and informative session this year, and will be ready to answer your questions at the end of the session.
Second Awards Presentation
Esteemed award winners will be announced and honored.
Honoring 2019-2020 NWPPA Board President Ron Holmes
We have stood strong with current NWPPA Board President Ron Holmes and will honor his service to the membership. We will also welcome incoming Board President, Brad Janorschke, General Manager of Homer Electric Association, who will help us remain strong as we continue reaching toward the future.
We are excited to share our plans for our 80th—but first virtual—annual meeting. This meeting will include several sessions during the morning and early afternoon of September 10. Following the theme of 80 Years Strong and Reaching for the Future, the program will include valuable insights from APPA President and CEO Joy Ditto followed by the Deputy Secretary and Associate Secretary of the Department of Interior addressing the state of wildfire strategy and land management during the pandemic. At the end of this session will be the annual business meeting with elections and recognition of our award winners.
Next will be dynamic author and speaker Jeremy Gutsche, whose talk on innovation and cutting-edge trends will be a timely must-see to help inform decision-making at your utility. We are excited to partner with Gutsche so that the first 175 annual meeting registrants will receive a free copy of his latest book, Create the Future + The Innovation Handbook. Gutsche’s book discusses how to think disruptively and includes a revised edition of his award-winning book, Exploiting Chaos.
Our lunch-and-learn sessions will feature a national and Northwest pre-election overview by president of Gallatin Public Affairs, Dan Lavey. Then the meeting picks back up with our always engaging CEO Panel featuring SMUD CEO/General Manager Arlen Orchard, Clark Public Utilities CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Clearwater Power Company General Manager David Hagen, and Hood River Electric Cooperative General Manager Libby Calnon. The session will be moderated by NWPPA Executive Director Scott Corwin and promises to be especially lively and informative session this year.
“It’s a year of firsts and I am excited about our first— and possibly last—virtual annual meeting,” said Corwin. “Our members have stepped up to provide excellent insights and our staff has rallied to support this year’s new structure. Though we won’t be together in person, I believe our members will still experience the excellent educational opportunities and sense of community they’ve come to expect from our annual meetings.”
In addition to the education, insights, and NWPPA elections and resolutions, there will be opportunities to network and reconnect with friends along the way. We hope you will join us for this new and exciting program.
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