From the Desk of Richard Putnicki, Executive Director, RMEL

Merry Christmas! I want to thank each and every one of you for your participation in our association in 2018. We appreciate members, attendees and especially the RMEL Board of Directors, Education Section Committee members and the RMEL Foundation Board members. If you see a name you recognize on these lists, please be sure to thank them for the important role they play in your Association. I hope you’ve had a great 2018, and I hope RMEL has been part of your success!

As we button up 2018 and pause for a minute to step back, reflect and prepare for 2019, it is also a great time to identify those rising stars in our organizations and nominate them for an RMEL Emerging Leader Award. If you have someone in mind, please take a moment and submit a nomination form. The RMEL Board will be looking for those future leaders that will continue to move our industry. Each nominee must have between 5-10 years of utility industry experience and must have demonstrated continued achievements within their respective organizations. The RMEL Emerging Leader Award winners are not only recognized with an award at the Spring Conference, but they also become a part of an important group of RMEL members that will enhance their professional network. Recipients of the award will have opportunities to participate in a variety of exclusive offerings with the RMEL membership. Each are invited to attend a special session just for the Emerging Leaders to spend an hour with our Spring keynote speakers like Mark Eaton, Tom Osborne and Commander Kirk Lippold. I hope you’ll take the time to nominate an Emerging Leader. The deadline is February 28, 2019.

How else can RMEL help you? Are you working on a specific challenge or just looking for general education for your team? We want to serve as your industry resource for training. Check out our upcoming events in 2019 and find that fit for you. If it is not there, let us know! New for 2019! You can submit topics, speakers and challenges on our Call for Presentations form. Our Education Committees thrive on current and relevant topics that our industry faces on a daily basis. We are here to serve your needs!    

The latest issue of RMEL’s Electric Energy Magazine takes an exciting look at what’s ahead for electric energy culture, communications, technology and, more specifically, what you can expect from RMEL in 2019 to help drive your future strategy. The magazine just hit mailboxes and you can check it out online.

This issue includes:

* Innovation and Ameren''s Corporate Strategy
* Three Sides to Every Story: Communication Strategies for Fast-Changing Electric Energy Industry
* Executives Harness the New Energy Paradigm and Build Toward the Future
* 2019 RMEL Events
* 2018 RMEL Foundation Scholarship Recipients

We hope you enjoy this important time with family and friends, and we are excited to kick off RMEL’s 2019 lineup of events starting with the Introduction to the Electric Utility Workshop in January.

Warmest Holiday Wishes from my Family to Yours!