by Larry Brownell
2012 continues to be a transformational year for NEPPA. I think that those who retired from the industry in the past few years might not recognize us come January. We will use our new training center for the first time on Aug. 8 for our General Foreman’s Roundtable and we will end the month with Apprentice I and Advanced Lineworker at the site. During this time, we will continue the site build-out including the pole yard, confined space and substation areas.
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To commemorate the 100th anniversary of their founding, the Littleton Electric Light and Water Departments recently hosted a special open house that drew more than 500 customers to their administrative and operations facilities. The day-long event featured dozens of demonstrations, displays and activities, all designed to promote the functions of the departments and offer fun for families. From bucket truck rides and pole climbing demonstrations to an electric vehicle charging station and a display featuring tools of the trade, the departments offered a full slate of both educational and entertaining exhibits to share with their customers.
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Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department General Manager Pete Dion signs his name to the last beam placed on the WMGLD’s new Mark A. Delory Facility currently under construction on North Avenue. General Manager Dion joined WMGLD Commissioners and construction officials during a topping-off ceremony followed by a tour of the facility which will house all WMGLD operations when it is completed next summer.

 

by Mary Harrington, Communications Director
I would like to take this opportunity to say goodbye to all my friends at NEPPA as I will be retiring on Aug. 13 after 25 years with the association. I wish NEPPA’s new Executive Director Larry Brownell and the entire NEPPA organization all the best in their new endeavor, the training facility at Littleton. This is an exciting time to be part of NEPPA.
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NEPPA's Annual Conference has traditionally been an outstanding networking opportunity for friends and associates of public power. This year promises to be no exception. Sunday River Resort offers a restful and amicable atmosphere for renewing old friendships and meeting new friends and potential customers. All sponsors, regardless of dollar amount, will receive distinctive conference nametags, recognition at events and names on signs.
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NEPPA has added two new courses to its training program. The first one is an NESC course that will be a two- or three-day seminar on the purpose and scope of the NESC and a look at the major changes to the code. The second is an APPA Safety Manual class, a regular three-hour class (similar to a regular safety class) that covers the 15th edition of the APPA Safety Manual. It will cover several content changes and the new additional sections that include the new substation portion as well as a section on the use of electronic equipment while on the job. There will be more details soon.

 

On July 26, the Senate voted 84-11 to proceed to debate on the merits of the "Cyber Security Act of 2012" (S. 3414), advanced by Sens. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME). While there is significant opposition to the bill as drafted – including strong concerns raised by the electric sector coalition – many Senators on both sides of the aisle did not want to block debate on the bill, in the hope that bipartisan efforts to modify the bill will produce a solution.
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By Rick Dacri, Dacri & Associates, LLC
Great managers surround themselves with exceptional talent – star performers. These are the folks who have good skills, who believe in what they are doing and who will do whatever it takes to achieve their organization’s goals. One organization that has mastered the philosophy of talent management is the New England Patriots. This organization has won three Super Bowl titles and nearly won two others. How did they do it?
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