Agenda

Agenda details are still being finalized and are therefore subject to change.

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 

9:00 AM  Registration, Coffee/Light Refreshments

9:45 AM Welcome & Opening Remarks

By Mike Hyland, Executive Director of Northeast Public Power Association

Let’s kick things off! Join NEPPA’s Executive Director, Mike Hyland, as he officially welcomes attendees and sets the stage for an exciting conference filled with learning, connection, and new ideas. Get a quick look at what’s ahead, hear what’s happening across the public power landscape, and start the conference with a shared sense of purpose and community. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a familiar face, this is your opportunity to get energized, get connected, and get ready for everything the conference has to offer!

10:00 General Session:  The Practice of Balance:  Learning to Listen to What You Need

By Kelley Marathas, Founder Thrivewell Estate & Hub

Work/life balance isn’t about giving every part of life equal time; it’s about learning to recognize what you need and responding with intention. This session explores the connection between self-awareness, the body’s signals, boundaries, and sustainable wellbeing, offering a practical approach to finding balance in both work and life.

11:00 AM Break and Visit with Sponsors

11:15 AM General Session:  Networking Tips and Tricks

By Angela Adams, Executive Director of  The Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce

Networking doesn’t have to mean awkward small talk or collecting a pocketful of business cards. We are excited to have Angela Adams, Executive Director of the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce, here to share tips, tricks, and real-world strategies for making meaningful connections—and making networking feel more natural. Whether you’re a networking pro or someone who would rather hide behind the snack table, you’ll walk away with simple ways to start conversations, build relationships, follow up effectively, and turn a quick introduction into a connection that lasts. What a great way to sharpen your networking game, just in time to use those new skills during the conference!

12:15 PM Lunch

1:15 PM General Session:  You Too Can Learn To Love Speaking

By Michael Whitehouse, Author and Member of the Mystic Aquarium Toastmasters Club

Studies show that many people are more afraid of speaking than death. They'd rather be in the casket than give the eulogy. That's because they've never learned to make it fun, both for themselves and the audience, and that's what Michael Whitehouse will teach you in this fun, interactive session.

2:15 PM Break and Visit with Sponsors

2:30 PM  General Session: Plug Into APPA: Programs, Resources, and Emerging Issues for Public Power

By Patricia Taylor, Policy Director at American Public Power Association

Find out how the American Public Power Association supports public power utilities through timely programs, resources, and expertise. This session will spotlight member benefits and APPA’s work on emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, data centers, and behind-the-meter battery storage.

3:30 PM Welcome Reception

Join us for an evening of good food, drinks, conversation, and connections as we officially kick off the conference. It’s the perfect chance to catch up with colleagues, meet new faces, and get to know fellow public power professionals in a relaxed, welcoming setting. We’ll see you there!

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

7:00 AM Registration

7:30 AM Breakfast Buffet

8:30 AM  Welcome & Opening Remarks 

8:45 AM  General Session: Ideas in Action - Interactive Multi-Roundtable Event

Facilitated by Anne Finley, Assistant Office Manager for Middleton Electric Light Department

Put your problem-solving skills to the test in this fast-paced, interactive session where every table has a challenge, every participant has a voice, and no scenario goes exactly as planned! Participants will be randomly grouped before diving into a real-world utility scenario. Each team will work together to identify the challenge, determine how they would respond, and develop a plan for handling the situation. But just when you think you have figured it out, expect a few twists! Designated “Captains” will help guide the discussion, while “Pirates” will introduce new complications and unexpected curveballs along the way. You'll leave with new ideas, practical takeaways, and a better understanding of how your peers approach challenges in the world of public power.

10:15 AM Break  and visit with sponsors

10:30 AM Break out Sessions: 

IT Roundtable

By Mike Hyland, Executive Director for Northeast Public Power Association

What’s keeping your IT team up at night? From cybersecurity and AI, to aging systems, staffing challenges, technology investments, and everything in between, this roundtable is your chance to put the big questions on the table. Bring your challenges, ideas, and lessons learned and hear how other utilities are tackling the same issues. Get ready for candid conversation, practical insights, and a chance to connect with your peers interested in utility IT.

Ask a Lineman: No Dumb Questions!

By Codie Perry, Manager of Safety and Training for Northeast Public Power Association

Ever wondered what really happens out in the field? Why do linemen do things a certain way? What does that word mean that they always use? Or how do power outages get resolved? Administrative staff are better equipped to serve customers and work with field crews when they understand the what, how, and why behind day-to-day utility operations. This interactive session puts you directly in the conversation with a former lineman—giving you the chance to ask the questions you’ve always wondered about and get straight answers from someone who worked in the field. Come curious, bring your questions, and leave with a better understanding of the people, equipment, and work that keep the lights on. And remember: there are no dumb questions!

11:30 AM Break and visit with sponsors

11:45 AM Breakout Sessions

Customer Engagement Show and Tell - Steal this Idea!

Facilitated by Jackie Campbell, Media and Member Services Specialist for Northeast Public Power Association

Whether it’s a creative first impression for new customers, a memorable customer appreciation effort, a clever piece of swag, or a unique way to build loyalty with existing customers, we want to see it! Share with us something your utility does that makes customers say “Wow!”. This interactive session is all about sharing what works. Bring your best examples—swag, flyers, signs, welcome materials, giveaways, displays, campaigns, or anything else that helps you connect with customers. Show it off, tell the story behind it, and get inspired by what other utilities are doing.

More Than a Number: Helping Customers & Employees Understand Rate Changes

By Jillian Jurczyk, Rates Manager at Utility Financial Solutions, LLC

Customers voice similar complaints almost every rate adjustment: "Why again?" "Everything's going up, why do you need more?" This session tackles common objections head-on, unpacking the real drivers like capital investment, inflation, or power supply costs, and equipping you with clear, honest ways to respond.

12:45 PM Lunch and Awards Presentation

1:45 PM General Session: Electric Infrastructure Funding Trends and Strategies

By Keith Dennis, President of Beneficial Electrification League

This session will examine emerging electric infrastructure funding trends, evolving federal priorities, effective grant-writing strategies, and the current state of electric technology deployment—highlighting practical opportunities for utilities and communities to secure funding and advance high-impact projects.

2:45 PM  Break and visit with sponsors 

3:00 - 4:30 PM Team Building Activity: Pack the Pantry

A little teamwork can go a long way! Come together with fellow attendees, roll up your sleeves, and put your skills to work for a great cause. In this hands-on team-building activity, teams will assemble food and essential supply kits that will be donated to a local food pantry.

It’s a great opportunity to connect with others, work together, and make a tangible difference. Kits will be donated to The Linda C Davis food pantry in Ledyard, CT. Come ready to pack, collaborate, and give back.

Thursday, October 1, 2026

7:00 AM Registration

7:30 - 9:00 AM Breakfast Buffet

9:00 AM General Session: Is it the Jetsons or Gen Z?: Creating an Out of this World Workplace for the Future

By Danette Scudder, Executive VP & Chief Strategy Officer for Tennessee Valley Public Power Association

There are 4 primary generations in the workplace today – each with differing value systems and priorities. That means there is potential for miscommunication, conflict and confusion. At the same time, the diversity of thought, capabilities and expertise that a cross-generational team can bring to the table can take creativity, innovation and problem solving to a new level. In this session we will explore what drives – and divides – the different generations with a goal of creating a better understanding of how we can bridge the generation gap to create resilient organizations in the rapidly-changing utility industry

10:00 AM Break and visit with sponsors

10:15 AM General Session: Ted Lasso's Strategy for Effective Utility Programs

By Pasi Miettinen, CEO, Sagewell, Inc.

There is no such thing as an “average customer.” AMI data shows that one-third of residential customers drive two-thirds of peak load, yet most utility programs treat every home the same. Identifying high-value customers and how to engage them is key to delivering effective programs. This session will also discuss valuing load management programs, targeting maximum distribution system benefits, improving utility economics and other benefits of a deeper look into the data.

11:15 AM Break and visit with sponsors

11:30 AM General Session: Getting the Word Out: Video Creation for Public Power & Beyond

By Lisa Stowe, Marketing, Communications & Community Outreach for Westfield Gas and Electric/Whip City Fiber and Connor Reardon, Energy and Sustainability Manager for Littleton Electric Light & Water Departments and Jackie Campbell, Media and Member Services Specialist for Northeast Public Power Association

Great stories deserve to be seen! Learn how video can bring your projects, people, events, and community impact to life in fresh, engaging ways. This session will explore practical and affordable ways to use videography to strengthen your marketing, social media, website, and communications efforts, whether you’re promoting a utility, organization, brand, or event. We’ll share simple tools and techniques, real-world examples, and even a drone demonstration to show how different perspectives can add to your storytelling. Walk away with approachable ideas you can put to use with the equipment and resources you already have.

12:30 AM Grab and Go Lunch  

1:30 PM Adjourn