From the Desk of RMEL Executive Director Rick Putnicki

Happy New Year From RMEL! 

As we wrapped up the final items for 2021, scratching our heads in amazement of how we navigated through it all again, we now find ourselves diving into 2022 with continued uncertainty, but with the thought of "let’s roll up our sleeves and we’ll figure it out!” Our focus will continue to be on how we can best serve our membership in these challenging and changing times. With a couple successful face-to-face meetings behind us, we are proceeding with the idea of having more in-person meetings this year. Back when COVID cancelled the 2020 Spring Conference in Austin, we negotiated with the hotel, allowing us to bump our commitment to 2022. We are currently planning to host the Spring Conference in Austin this May. And if necessary, we will shift back to the "virtual” platform to keep our members safe! Each of your RMEL Education Section Committees are planning in-person conferences, as well. We will also continue to offer a variety of timely webinars for 2022.

We are heading into a better and different world of new opportunities to support RMEL members. Many of the tenured board members have passed the baton to others in their organizations. The current environment, both external and internal, have made the timing right for the RMEL Staff and Board to take a deep dive into our critical areas of focus and action. This allows staff to focus on the right areas and deliverables, as well as provide our new Board members a better understanding of our Association. The RMEL Strategy Map will build activities around RMEL’s purpose, what we do to get to that purpose, how we support those that drive us toward our purpose, and RMEL’s values. I look forward to sharing more details with you all as we keep moving forward toward our Vision, Mission and Values: 

Vision: The Trusted leader in Networking and Educational Programs for the Electric Industry
Mission: Preparing the Electric Energy Industry for the Future through Education and Networking
Values: Safety, Accountability, Trust, Quality, Communication, Community, Diversity & Inclusion

2022 RMEL Spring Conference is Coming to Austin May 9-11th

As I mentioned in the opening, the 2022 Spring Management, Engineering and Operations Conference is set for Monday-Wednesday, May 9-11th, at the Hyatt Regency Austin in Austin, Texas. We are thrilled to bring back the in-person RMEL conference experience, and we are hopeful that many of the new virtual attendees from the past two years will have the opportunity to experience the camaraderie and productivity of an in-person RMEL Spring Conference. Registration is now open, and we will share more details about the program soon!

We encourage any of our members to use the Call for Presentations form to let us know of topics your company can present and/or keynote speaker and general topic suggestions to be considered for the event. RMEL is looking for technical, non-commercial presentations. 

The 2022 RMEL Foundation Scholarship Application is Now Open!
Application Deadline is February 25, 2022

The 2022 RMEL Foundation Scholarship Application is now open! Spread the word, and please let us know if you have college/trade school/university contacts who would like to receive the scholarship information. We are thankful for the solid year of scholarship fundraising our members provided the RMEL Foundation during this year. Thank you for the Corporate and Individual Cash Donations! The Virtual RMEL Foundation Auction Raised $25,000 and an additional $15,000 has been raised in cash donations. Learn more about 2022 Named Scholarship Sponsor opportunities for your company.

RMEL is Looking for New Team Members

With all the activities I mentioned above, I’m happy to tell you that we are expanding the RMEL staff so that we can move forward on our many new opportunities! If you know of friends or family who would be interested in joining our dedicated team, please have them contact me at rickputnicki@rmel.org. We will share full job description(s) soon! 

Emerging Leader Awards
Nomination Deadline is March 18, 2022

Submit your nomination for RMEL's Emerging Leader Award, and recognize an individual who has 5-10 years of experience and is already making an impact at your organization. RMEL's Emerging Leader Award recognizes and honors individual members who have made significant contributions within their organization, and have demonstrated the potential for leadership and outstanding service for the electric utility industry. The nominee must have no less than 5 years of experience, and no more than 10 year's experience within the industry.

RMEL Board of Directors

In closing, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the quality and engagement of the RMEL Board of Directors. They are a group of true professionals that represent our industry to the fullest, and commit 100% to what they do. We are successful as an Association because of them. We have had considerable turnover this past year and appreciate the quality of candidates they have nominated to represent their Organizations and serve RMEL. 

Thank you for your service: Elaina Ball (El Paso Electric), Paul Barham (CPS Energy), Doug Bennion (PacifiCorp), Joel Bladow (Tri-State), John Coggins (SRP), Scott Fry (Mycoff, Fry Partners), Nick Gardner (Black Hills Corp), Sue Kidd (APS), Mark Mansfield (UNS/TEP), Kevin Noblet (Evergy), and Dawn Roth Lindell (WAPA).

Welcome to our new Board Directors: Bruce Akin (Evergy), Lisa Barbato (Colorado Springs Utilities), Steve Buraczyk (El Paso Electric), Ana Bustamante (UNS/TEP), Chris Janick (SRP), Joshua Jones (PacifiCorp), Marne Jones (Black Hills Corp), Kevin Howard (WAPA), Lisa Lewis (CPS Energy), Ruth Marks (Tri-State), and Tony Tewelis (APS). We continue to be in great hands!

I can’t express my appreciation for all that Paul Barham has meant to me in both my personal and professional life. After a stellar 35-year career at CPS Energy, Paul will be retiring at the end of the January and leaving the RMEL Board. I was blessed to have the opportunity to work with him in my utility career, as well as with the RMEL Board. I believe life is about the people you have the opportunity to cross paths with. Paul thank you for sharing your path with me! I wish you and Lisa the very best as you turn the page to a new chapter. Thank you and God Bless!