Arlington—May 24, 2022 – The Utilities Technology Council (UTC) has recognized utilities and their personnel who demonstrated initiative, perseverance, and innovative thinking throughout the past year. The awards were given at the 2022 Telecom & Technology Conference in Okalhoma City, Okla.
UTC’s awards recognize the importance of utility Information and Communications Technology (ICT) systems and the employees who build, operate, and maintain these systems to support the reliability, resilience, and safety of the nation’s electric systems. From storm response to day-to-day reliability, ICT networks also provide opportunities for communities to enhance economic prosperity, provide innovative new services, and support health, education and access to critical services.
“Congratulations to all of our winners this year,” said UTC Chairman of the Board Paul Lambert of East River Electric Power Coop. “I am proud to stand among them. Over the past year our incredible workforce has answered the call, shown a resilience, and provided their communities with essential utility services under unprecedented and sometimes dangerous circumstances. These awards go to the heart of what makes UTC so special—the people, the utilities, and the technology partners who make up our membership. Every day our members work hard to support reliable, resilient, and affordable services to people and businesses. It is an honor to recognize a select few for their service.”
The 2021 UTC Award Winners are:
• APEX Award – Recognizes individual accomplishment and organizational commitment for outstanding projects undertaken by utility telecom workers.
o WINNER: Ameren
• Dondanville Award – Established in 1989, named in honor of UTC’s first President & CEO, Russell V. Dondanville. The Dondanville Award recognizes an individual’s extraordinary service and dedication to UTC over the years through active participation in numerous association activities.
o WINNER: Paul Lambert, East River Electric Power Coop
• Meehan Award – Established in 1998, the Meehan Award is named in honor of UTC’s first Exec. Director Charles M. (Mike) Meehan. It recognizes individuals for their extraordinary leadership in projects during the past year that greatly furthered the interests and objectives of UTC.
o WINNER: Ron Beck, Central Lincoln PUD
• Connie Durcsak Unsung Hero Award – Recognizes an individual or utility that exemplifies the selfless, admirable, necessary, never-ending work that our utility workers do every day in extenuating circumstances. They perform heroic tasks daily and there is often no press, fanfare, or acknowledgment of the lifesaving efforts performed by our utility workers
o WINNER: Southern Company
• UTC’s Emerging Leaders Awards. This award acknowledges “rising stars” within UTC’s member utilities, who are dedicated to the critical work of telecom, infrastructure, IT/OT, security, technology innovation, policy, and other key utility disciplines
o WINNERS: Mike Lacey, National Grid; Daniella Piper, New York Power Authority; Corey Peters, New York Power Authority; Keisha Sauls, CenterPoint Energy; Lon Renner, Nebraska Public Power District
• Chairman Awards – These awards are given in appreciation for service to UTC during the past calendar year.
o WINNERS: Dewey Day, Pacific Gas & Electric; Kirt Mayson, NorthWestern Energy; Dr. Peter Muhoro, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative; Daniella Piper, New York Power Authority; Travis Phifer, Tri-State G & T; Bob Lockhart, UTC; Brittany Luckett, UTC
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About UTC
The Utilities Technology Council (UTC) is a global trade association dedicated to serving critical infrastructure providers. Through advocacy, education and collaboration, UTC creates a favorable business, regulatory and technology environment for our members who own or operate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems in support of their core business. For more information: UTC.org