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Twentieth Anniversary Utility Perspectives 2023 Nashville Join us to celebrate 20 years of Harmonizing energy, October 15-17, 2023
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Twentieth Anniversary Utility Perspectives 2023 Nashville Join us to celebrate 20 years of Harmonizing energy, October 15-17, 2023

PLEASE ENJOY THE UTILITY PERSPECTIVES
INFORMATIONAL VIDEO

Twentieth Anniversary Utility Perspectives 2023 Nashville Join us to celebrate 20 years of Harmonizing energy, October 15-17, 2023
Breakfast – Vineyard Terrace6:30 A.M. – 8:00 A.M.
Meeting Convenes – Vice President of Safety Health Environmental & Quality – Quanta Services8:00 A.M.
Opening Comments – Duke Austin, President & CEO – Quanta Services8:10 A.M.
Welcome to Napa – Patti Poppe, CEO – PG&E Corporation8:30 A.M.
Local Charity Introduction – Duke Austin, Patti Poppe & Hands Across The Valley9:00 A.M. – 9:15 A.M.
Unprecedented Change – Taking It To a New Level
Moderator
The Honorable Patrick Wood III, CEO – Hunt Energy Network
Panelists
Patti Poppe, CEO – PGE | Rod West, Group President, Utility Operations – Entergy | Lloyd Yates, President and CEO – NiSource
Synopsis
The electric and gas sectors are evolving at an unprecedented pace. The three-pronged challenge of managing the clean energy transition, ensuring reliable service, and providing affordable power all land on the desk of the CEO. This is all happening at a time when significant weather events are placing the resiliency of our systems at the center of stakeholder and policy debates. During this panel, we will discuss the trade offs required and opportunities presented in this dynamic time.
9:15 A.M. – 10:15 A.M.
Break10:15 A.M. – 10:45 A.M
Unlocking the Clean Energy Transformation
Moderator
Heather Zichal, President and CEO – American Clean Power Association
Panelists
David Carroll, Chief Renewables Officer – Engie North America Inc. | Craig Cornelius, CEO – Clearway |  Mike Garland, CEO – Pattern Energy | Ryan Pfaff, EVP of Grid and Distribution Scale Power – EDF Renewables North America
Synopsis
Support for renewable energy is high across government, the private sector and the public. However, roadblocks to deployment seem to arise at every turn. How will we achieve our clean energy future in time to meet our carbon reduction goals in the electric sector?
10:45 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.
Featured Speaker – Peter Zeihan, Geopolitical Strategist
Peter Zeihan is an expert in geopolitics: the study of how place impacts financial, economic, cultural, political and military developments. He presents customized executive briefings to a wide array of audiences which include, but are not limited to, financial professionals, Fortune 500 firms, energy investors, and a mix of industrial, power, agricultural and consulting associations and corporations. Mr. Zeihan has been featured in, and cited by, numerous newspapers and broadcasts including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, AP, Bloomberg, CNN, ABC, The New York Times, Fox News and MarketWatch. View Peter Zeihan's UP 2022 Presentation here
11:30 P.M. – 12:30 P.M.
Lunch – Carneros Ballroom12:30 P.M. – 1:30 P.M.
Transmission –The Ultimate Enabler of Decarbonization
Moderator
The Honorable Neil Chatterjee, Advisor – Hogan Lovells
Panelists
Michael Lamb, SVP Transmission – Xcel Energy | Shawn Schukar, President and Chairman – Ameren |  Toby Thomas, SVP Energy Delivery – AEP Energy Delivery
Synopsis
Recent policy has recognized transmission as critical infrastructure worthy of investment. The Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law has provided new incentives to enhance and expand transmission infrastructure, much of which will directly enable clean energy projects. What now?
1:30 P.M. – 2:15 P.M.
The Critical Role of Natural Gas in the Energy Transition
Moderator
Karen Harbert, CEO – American Gas Association
Panelists
Jimmie Cho, COO – Southern California Gas Company | Micheal Dunn, COO – The Williams Company | Luke Littiken, SVP Gas – Xcel Energy |  | Ross Turrini, COO NY Gas – National Grid – National Grid
Synopsis
America’s natural gas utilities and pipeline operators are balancing the complexity of renewable power integration, evolving federal, state and local policies & regulations and increased ESG expectations. The natural gas industry is embracing GHG reduction and decarbonization goals with investments in technology, existing infrastructure upgrades, renewable natural gas, and hydrogen all while facing challenges with soaring inflation, supply chain disruptions and regional electrification movements. This panel will discuss the critical role that natural gas and the existing infrastructure will play in the transition to a clean resilient energy future.
2:15 P.M. – 3:15 P.M.
Break3:15 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.
Importance of Technology to Address Industry Needs
Moderators
Nora Mead Brownwell, Founding Partner – Espy Energy Solutions LLC
Panelists
Ed Baine, President – Dominion Energy Virginia | Michael Pesin, Deputy Assistant Secretary – U.S. Department of Energy | Joe Svachula, SVP Transmission & Compliance – Exelon Corporation | Erik Takayesu, SVP – Southern California Edison
Synopsis
Electricity is becoming ever more essential to achieve societal and economic goals. Given the breadth of needs facing utilities –including reliability, resilience, affordability, and decarbonization–setting the right framework for technology investment is essential to establishing priorities to address these challenges. This panel brings industry leaders speaking to practical examples and experience of how utilities can incorporate new and emerging technologies into its investment plans while balancing the many customer needs and requirements.
3:30 P.M. – 4:15 P.M.
Distribution – New Requirements and Emerging Risks
Moderator
Scott Aaronson, Senior Vice President, Security and Preparedness – Edison Electric Institute
Panelists
Joe Bentley – SVP, Electric Engineering | Scott Doyle, EVP Utility Operations – CenterPoint Energy | Matt Ketschke, President – Con Edison of New York
Synopsis
We’re seeing significant investment in our distribution systems to modernize the grid, provide sustainable resiliency and reliability solutions and integrate new customer/utility distributed energy resources. However, the industry faces headwinds in deploying capital, from supply chain issues, labor shortages, extreme weather conditions, rising natural gas prices, etc. How does the industry prioritize investments as the distribution grid is upgraded to meet evolving customer needs?
4:15 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Closing Comments & Adjourn5:00 P.M. – 5:15 P.M.
Breakfast – Vineyard Terrace6:30 A.M. – 8:00 A.M.
Meeting Convenes – Matt Compher, Vice President of Safety Health Environmental & Quality – Quanta Services8:00 A.M.
Opening Comments – Duke Austin, President & CEO – Quanta Services8:05 A.M.
The Continuing Evolution of DEI: The Impact of Economic Inclusion
Moderator
Ralph Cleveland, President & CEO – AABE
Panelists
Cy Richardson, SVP – National Urban League | Traci R. Scott, Vice President Workforce Development Division – National Urban League FOR DEI | Lloyd Yates, President and CEO – NiSource |
Synopsis
The Utility Industry has long led the efforts to diversify and develop supply chains. The value proposition is evident, and utilities have been at the forefront of identifying, mentoring and developing diverse businesses throughout the procurement process. With the anticipated growth in projects and spending related to the Energy Transition, utilities and their partners are being called upon to make “economic inclusion” a reality as a part of this transition. From a broad sense, “inclusion” is considered the intersection of three elements: Social Inclusion, Political Inclusion, and Economic Inclusion. The focus on “economic inclusion” has grown from the work of organizations like the World Bank and The Rockefeller Foundation. These institutions maintain that investments in expanding opportunity helps create economic growth that is lasting and sustainable. The panel will explore the future state of supplier diversity and development through the lens of “economic inclusion.”
8:15 A.M. – 9:00 A.M.
Featured Speaker – Travis Hester, Chief EV Officer, General Motors
Travis has 26 years with General Motors. He has a diverse background, uniquely experienced in Go-To-Market Sales strategies and Product Development. Key roles have included President & Managing Director GM Canada, VP Global Product Development, and Chief Engineer for multiple brand/car lines. A change agent within GM, Travis has a passion and proven track record for strategy, innovation, and introduction of new technology. His notable achievements include Super Cruise – GM’s 1st Automated Driving System, the world’s first Rear Camera Mirror, managing the successful outcome of the Canadian Union negotiations in 2019 & his work transforming GM’s approach to eCommerce in 2021. View Travis Hester's UP 2022 Presentation here
9:00 A.M. – 9:45 A.M.
Break9:45 A.M. – 10:15 A.M.
Broadband For Everyone
Moderator
Gary Bolton, President & CEO – Fiber Broadband Association
Panelists
Steve Mitchell, SVP – Corning Incorporated | Staci Pies, VP Public Policy and Government Affairs – Crown Castle | Bob Thompson, Founder and CEO – Underline
Synopsis
As communities, schools and enterprise companies begin to plan their approach to post-pandemic operations the key infrastructure requirement will be access to broadband. The three main drivers that have emerged are people working from home, attending school through remote learning and telemedicine appointments with their doctors. Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) are just a few of the funding strategies set up to address digital divide and rural broadband availability. Additional challenges that we will face are finding the skilled teams to design, engineer and construct these networks. Over the next hour or so we will discuss what will be required to determine eligibility for funding and how to support both non-traditional telecom operators and experienced ISP’s scale efficient processes to build broadband infrastructure and leverage current infrastructure as much as possible.
10:15 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
Electrifying Our Lives
Moderator
Phil Moeller, EVP – Edison Electric Institute
Panelists
Jason Glickman, EVP Engineering, Planning & Strategy – PG&E Corporation | Dennis Kish, COO - EVgo | Joe Woomer, Vice President – Dominion Energy
Synopsis
Consumer demand is changing our infrastructure landscape –including how much, when, and where we need electricity. Customers are requiring more flexibility and cleaner sources of energy. What do we need to do to keep up?
11:00 A.M. – 11:45 A.M.
Closing Comments & Adjourn12:00 P.M.
Lunch – Vineyard Terrace12:00 P.M.
Twentieth Anniversary Utility Perspectives 2023 Nashville Join us to celebrate 20 years of Harmonizing energy, October 15-17, 2023
Breakfast – Vineyard Terrace6:30 A.M. – 8:00 A.M.
Meeting Convenes – Vice President of Safety Health Environmental & Quality – Quanta Services8:00 A.M.
Opening Comments – Duke Austin, President & CEO – Quanta Services8:10 A.M.
Welcome to Napa – Patti Poppe, CEO – PG&E Corporation8:30 A.M.
Local Charity Introduction – Duke Austin, Patti Poppe & Hands Across The Valley9:00 A.M. – 9:15 A.M.
Unprecedented Change – Taking It To a New Level
Moderator
The Honorable Patrick Wood III, CEO – Hunt Energy Network
Panelists
Patti Poppe, CEO – PGE | Rod West, Group President, Utility Operations – Entergy | Lloyd Yates, President and CEO – NiSource
Synopsis
The electric and gas sectors are evolving at an unprecedented pace. The three-pronged challenge of managing the clean energy transition, ensuring reliable service, and providing affordable power all land on the desk of the CEO. This is all happening at a time when significant weather events are placing the resiliency of our systems at the center of stakeholder and policy debates. During this panel, we will discuss the trade offs required and opportunities presented in this dynamic time.
9:15 A.M. – 10:15 A.M.
Break10:15 A.M. – 10:45 A.M
Unlocking the Clean Energy Transformation
Moderator
Heather Zichal, President and CEO – American Clean Power Association
Panelists
David Carroll, Chief Renewables Officer – Engie North America Inc. | Craig Cornelius, CEO – Clearway |  Mike Garland, CEO – Pattern Energy | Ryan Pfaff, EVP of Grid and Distribution Scale Power – EDF Renewables North America
Synopsis
Support for renewable energy is high across government, the private sector and the public. However, roadblocks to deployment seem to arise at every turn. How will we achieve our clean energy future in time to meet our carbon reduction goals in the electric sector?
10:45 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.
Featured Speaker – Peter Zeihan, Geopolitical Strategist
Peter Zeihan is an expert in geopolitics: the study of how place impacts financial, economic, cultural, political and military developments. He presents customized executive briefings to a wide array of audiences which include, but are not limited to, financial professionals, Fortune 500 firms, energy investors, and a mix of industrial, power, agricultural and consulting associations and corporations. Mr. Zeihan has been featured in, and cited by, numerous newspapers and broadcasts including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, AP, Bloomberg, CNN, ABC, The New York Times, Fox News and MarketWatch. View Peter Zeihan's UP 2022 Presentation here
11:30 P.M. – 12:30 P.M.
Lunch – Carneros Ballroom12:30 P.M. – 1:30 P.M.
Transmission –The Ultimate Enabler of Decarbonization
Moderator
The Honorable Neil Chatterjee, Advisor – Hogan Lovells
Panelists
Michael Lamb, SVP Transmission – Xcel Energy | Shawn Schukar, President and Chairman – Ameren |  Toby Thomas, SVP Energy Delivery – AEP Energy Delivery
Synopsis
Recent policy has recognized transmission as critical infrastructure worthy of investment. The Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law has provided new incentives to enhance and expand transmission infrastructure, much of which will directly enable clean energy projects. What now?
1:30 P.M. – 2:15 P.M.
The Critical Role of Natural Gas in the Energy Transition
Moderator
Karen Harbert, CEO – American Gas Association
Panelists
Jimmie Cho, COO – Southern California Gas Company | Micheal Dunn, COO – The Williams Company | Luke Littiken, SVP Gas – Xcel Energy |  | Ross Turrini, COO NY Gas – National Grid – National Grid
Synopsis
America’s natural gas utilities and pipeline operators are balancing the complexity of renewable power integration, evolving federal, state and local policies & regulations and increased ESG expectations. The natural gas industry is embracing GHG reduction and decarbonization goals with investments in technology, existing infrastructure upgrades, renewable natural gas, and hydrogen all while facing challenges with soaring inflation, supply chain disruptions and regional electrification movements. This panel will discuss the critical role that natural gas and the existing infrastructure will play in the transition to a clean resilient energy future.
2:15 P.M. – 3:15 P.M.
Break3:15 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.
Importance of Technology to Address Industry Needs
Moderators
Nora Mead Brownwell, Founding Partner – Espy Energy Solutions LLC
Panelists
Ed Baine, President – Dominion Energy Virginia | Michael Pesin, Deputy Assistant Secretary – U.S. Department of Energy | Joe Svachula, SVP Transmission & Compliance – Exelon Corporation | Erik Takayesu, SVP – Southern California Edison
Synopsis
Electricity is becoming ever more essential to achieve societal and economic goals. Given the breadth of needs facing utilities –including reliability, resilience, affordability, and decarbonization–setting the right framework for technology investment is essential to establishing priorities to address these challenges. This panel brings industry leaders speaking to practical examples and experience of how utilities can incorporate new and emerging technologies into its investment plans while balancing the many customer needs and requirements.
3:30 P.M. – 4:15 P.M.
Distribution – New Requirements and Emerging Risks
Moderator
Scott Aaronson, Senior Vice President, Security and Preparedness – Edison Electric Institute
Panelists
Joe Bentley – SVP, Electric Engineering | Scott Doyle, EVP Utility Operations – CenterPoint Energy | Matt Ketschke, President – Con Edison of New York
Synopsis
We’re seeing significant investment in our distribution systems to modernize the grid, provide sustainable resiliency and reliability solutions and integrate new customer/utility distributed energy resources. However, the industry faces headwinds in deploying capital, from supply chain issues, labor shortages, extreme weather conditions, rising natural gas prices, etc. How does the industry prioritize investments as the distribution grid is upgraded to meet evolving customer needs?
4:15 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Closing Comments & Adjourn5:00 P.M. – 5:15 P.M.
Breakfast – Vineyard Terrace6:30 A.M. – 8:00 A.M.
Meeting Convenes – Matt Compher, Vice President of Safety Health Environmental & Quality – Quanta Services8:00 A.M.
Opening Comments – Duke Austin, President & CEO – Quanta Services8:05 A.M.
The Continuing Evolution of DEI: The Impact of Economic Inclusion
Moderator
Ralph Cleveland, President & CEO – AABE
Panelists
Cy Richardson, SVP – National Urban League | Traci R. Scott, Vice President Workforce Development Division – National Urban League FOR DEI | Lloyd Yates, President and CEO – NiSource |
Synopsis
The Utility Industry has long led the efforts to diversify and develop supply chains. The value proposition is evident, and utilities have been at the forefront of identifying, mentoring and developing diverse businesses throughout the procurement process. With the anticipated growth in projects and spending related to the Energy Transition, utilities and their partners are being called upon to make “economic inclusion” a reality as a part of this transition. From a broad sense, “inclusion” is considered the intersection of three elements: Social Inclusion, Political Inclusion, and Economic Inclusion. The focus on “economic inclusion” has grown from the work of organizations like the World Bank and The Rockefeller Foundation. These institutions maintain that investments in expanding opportunity helps create economic growth that is lasting and sustainable. The panel will explore the future state of supplier diversity and development through the lens of “economic inclusion.”
8:15 A.M. – 9:00 A.M.
Featured Speaker – Travis Hester, Chief EV Officer, General Motors
Travis has 26 years with General Motors. He has a diverse background, uniquely experienced in Go-To-Market Sales strategies and Product Development. Key roles have included President & Managing Director GM Canada, VP Global Product Development, and Chief Engineer for multiple brand/car lines. A change agent within GM, Travis has a passion and proven track record for strategy, innovation, and introduction of new technology. His notable achievements include Super Cruise – GM’s 1st Automated Driving System, the world’s first Rear Camera Mirror, managing the successful outcome of the Canadian Union negotiations in 2019 & his work transforming GM’s approach to eCommerce in 2021. View Travis Hester's UP 2022 Presentation here
9:00 A.M. – 9:45 A.M.
Break9:45 A.M. – 10:15 A.M.
Broadband For Everyone
Moderator
Gary Bolton, President & CEO – Fiber Broadband Association
Panelists
Steve Mitchell, SVP – Corning Incorporated | Staci Pies, VP Public Policy and Government Affairs – Crown Castle | Bob Thompson, Founder and CEO – Underline
Synopsis
As communities, schools and enterprise companies begin to plan their approach to post-pandemic operations the key infrastructure requirement will be access to broadband. The three main drivers that have emerged are people working from home, attending school through remote learning and telemedicine appointments with their doctors. Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) are just a few of the funding strategies set up to address digital divide and rural broadband availability. Additional challenges that we will face are finding the skilled teams to design, engineer and construct these networks. Over the next hour or so we will discuss what will be required to determine eligibility for funding and how to support both non-traditional telecom operators and experienced ISP’s scale efficient processes to build broadband infrastructure and leverage current infrastructure as much as possible.
10:15 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
Electrifying Our Lives
Moderator
Phil Moeller, EVP – Edison Electric Institute
Panelists
Jason Glickman, EVP Engineering, Planning & Strategy – PG&E Corporation | Dennis Kish, COO - EVgo | Joe Woomer, Vice President – Dominion Energy
Synopsis
Consumer demand is changing our infrastructure landscape –including how much, when, and where we need electricity. Customers are requiring more flexibility and cleaner sources of energy. What do we need to do to keep up?
11:00 A.M. – 11:45 A.M.
Closing Comments & Adjourn12:00 P.M.
Lunch – Vineyard Terrace12:00 P.M.

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