Awards
2025 UTC Telecom & Technology Conference
Awards
Each year, the utility members and staff of
UTC works together to recognize individuals
and organizations that have made a
significant impact on the utility industry..
We’re thrilled to unveil the 2025 UTC Awards recipients and celebrate our diverse UTC community, including utilities, vendors, and individuals worldwide. Explore the revamped award descriptions and submit your nominations before the January 2025 deadline!
UTC Meehan Award
Established in 1998, the Meehan Award is named in honor of UTC’s first Executive Director, Charles M. (Mike) Meehan. The award was created to recognize individuals for their extraordinary leadership in projects during the past year that greatly furthered the interests and objectives of UTC.
If there is one thing we have learned throughout history, it’s that perseverance and leadership go a long way toward achieving success. The utility industry has not only dealt with the lasting effects of the pandemic, but it has also powered us through multiple, hard-hitting natural disasters. The type of initiative and tenacity that it took to get through these obstacles is what makes a true leader.
Meehan Award nominees exemplify leadership and dedication in the utility industry. These individuals go above and beyond for UTC, its members, and the mission and vision of the Association.
- 2024: Kyle J. Cormier, Salt River Project
- 2023: Shaun Skidmore, Idaho Power
- 2022: Ron Beck, Central Lincoln PUD
- 2021: Sheryl Osiene-Riggs, Utilities Technology Council and Mike Unser, Salt River Project
- 2020: Sheila Wells, Nashville Electric Service
- 2019: Anthony Suppa, Jr., Public Service Electric & Gas Company
- 2018: Karen Flewharty, Oncor Electric Delivery Company
- 2017: Kevin Malloy, National Grid
- 2016: Matt Schnell, Nebraska Public Power District
- 2015: Greg Angst, CenterPoint Energy
- 2014: Kathy Nelson, Great River Energy
- 2013: Chuck Hackney, CenterPoint
- 2012: Doug McGinnis, Exelon
- 2011: Mike Lowe, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corp
- 2010: Steve Zoromsky, Lower Colorado River Authority
- 2009: Ron Bilodeau, NV Energy
- 2008: Allen Garrison, SRP Telecom
- 2007: Miguel Angel Sanchez Fornie, Iberdrola
- 2006: Rusty Williams, Southern Company
- 2005: Joe Lackey, Retired
- 2004: John Cull, National Grid USA
- 2003: Mark Gray, Potomac Electric Power Company
- 2002: John Krupcale, Niagara Mohawk
- 2001: Neil Flynn, FPL FiberNet
- 2000: Michael J. Schmitz, Platte River Power Authority
- 1999: James O. Stahl, PacifiCorp
- 1998: Dymitr Wajsman, UTC
Deadline for Entry
January 31st, 2025
Eligibility and Criteria
- Applicants must have the approval of senior management to apply.
- A clear and concise abstract detailing the activity and outcome of the effort and the benefit the results provided to the community and the organizations
- Judging and Award(s) Selection
- The UTC Nominating Committee will select the award winner(s) in conjunction with the committee’s award selection process.
UTC Dondanville Award
Established in 1989, the Dondanville Award is named in honor of UTC’s first president, Russell V. Dondanville. This award formally recognizes an individual’s extraordinary service and dedication to UTC through active participation in numerous Association activities.
Throughout the years, UTC has evolved and adapted in many ways. The one thing that has remained constant is that the organization is member-driven. These are individuals who take part in this member-driven leadership initiative and during their involvement in UTC, have played a key role in the growth of the association.
Participating in both regional and national events, attending meetings, and joining conference calls are all equal priorities for these individuals, which is evident through their consistent attendance and support for the Association. Dondanville Award nominees are recognized for their unwavering dedication, inspiring perspective, and devotion. This person shows integrity “on and off the court.”
- 2024: Sheila Wells, Leidos
- 2023: Doug W. Barton, Southern Co.
- 2022: Paul Lambert, East River Electric Power Coop
- 2021: Greg Angst, CenterPoint Energy
- 2020: Brett Kilbourne, Utilities Technology Council
- 2019: Matt Schnell, Nebraska Public Power District
- 2018: Ronald L. Taylor, Salt River Project (Ret.)
- 2017: Mike Lowe, Blue Ridge Energy
- 2016: Karnel Thomas, Utilities Technology Council
- 2015: Tom Perry, Santee Copper
- 2014: Ronald Beck, Central Lincoln PUD
- 2013: Troy West, CLECO
- 2012: Ed Ingersol, Gainesville Regional Utility (Retired)
- 2011: Rusty Williams, Southern Company (Retired) & AFL
- 2010: Jeff Selman, Tri-State Generation & Transmission
- 2009: Ken Campbell, American Electric Power
- 2008: Joe Lackey
- 2007: Leonard Leech, Nashville Electric Service
- 2006: Bill Anderson, MA/COM
- 2005: Jeff Katz, PSEG Services Corp
- 2004: Bernard Jacob, Gulf Power
- 2003: John Howell, CenterPoint Energy
- 2002: Steve Carrico, Lee Lake Consulting
- 2001: Ben Doty
- 2000: Robert H. Leonard, New York Power Authority
- 1999: George Stoll, Utility Telecom Group
- 1998: Charles M. Meehan, UTC (The Telecommunications Association)
- 1997: William M. Chapman, Intermountain Gas Company
- 1996: Robert A. Augustson, Public Service Company of Colorado
- 1995: John O. Myers, Southern Company Services, Inc.
- 1994: Robert L. Taunton, Pacific Gas & Electric Company
- 1993: Douglas M. Morton, Northeast Utilities Service Company
- 1992: Dee L. Hurm, Florida Power Corporation
- 1991: E. William Downer, Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company
- 1990: John W. Albus, Virginia Power
- 1989: Charles W. Blood, Union Electric Company
Deadline for Entry
January 31st, 2025
- Applicants must have the approval of senior management to apply.
- A clear and concise abstract detailing the activity and outcome of the effort and the benefit the results provided to the community and the organizations
- Judging and Award(s) Selection
- The UTC Nominating Committee will select the award winner(s) in conjunction with the committee’s award selection process.
Emerging Leaders Award
UTC takes pride in recognizing its Emerging Leaders across all the UTC Regions. These “Rising Stars” are individuals within UTC member utilities who are dedicated to the critical work of telecommunication infrastructure, IT/OT, security, policy, etc. The members that are true Emerging Leaders use their innate skills, both technical and as leaders, to further the mission of the industry, their companies, and most of all, UTC. We want to recognize and celebrate these “up-and-comers” at each annual meeting, so nominations are encouraged.
- 2024
- Julie Leininger, Orlando Utilities
- Jason Smith, Blue Ridge Energy
- Matt Weston, NPPD
- 2023
- Kyle Cormier, Salt River Project
- Shawna Kiesbuy, Avista Corp.
- Travis Blalack, Southern California Edison
- 2022
- 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
- 2021
- Casey Hutchinson, Puget Sound Energy
- Sue Hoffman, Southern Company
- Kedaar Raman, NY Power Authority
- 2020
- Benjamin Portis, Entergy
- Anthony Romero, Tri-State G&T
- Naisla Barreto, Duke Energy
- Al Mohammed, NY Power Authority
- 2019
- Shaun Skidmore, Idaho Power
- Mike Unser, Salt River Project
- Matt Holthe, Nebraska Public Power District
- Paul Zawada, American Electric Power
- Lamont Hill, Oncor Electric Delivery Company
- Mitchell Crocker, CenterPoint Energy
- Dawn Jurgensmeier, Salt River Project
- Robert Mathews, Cleco Corporate Holdings
Deadline for Entry
January 31st, 2025
Eligibility and Criteria
- Applicants must have the approval of senior management to apply.
- A clear and concise abstract detailing the activity and outcome of the effort and the benefit the results provided to the community and the organizations
- Judging and Award(s) Selection
- The UTC Nominating Committee will select the award winner(s) in conjunction with the committee’s award selection process.
UTC Apex Award
The UTC Apex Award bridges the divide between recognizing individual accomplishments and generating organizational commitment for outstanding projects undertaken by utility telecommunications and information workers. This award symbolizes the valiant dedication the industry provides communities through the use of communications networks and technology.
The Apex Award is open to all utility companies that provide water, gas, and electric services and have demonstrated innovative projects, actions, and procedures within their companies that will positively affect or have already affected the communities they serve. The UTC Apex Award recognizes the dedication that its utility members exhibit daily.
- 2024: Southern California Edison
- 2023: Salt River Project
- 2022: Ameren Services
- 2021: Tennessee Valley Authority
- 2020: Ameren Services
- 2019: Okanagan County Public Utility District No. 1
- 2018: BARC Electric Cooperative
- 2017: Midwest Energy Cooperative
- 2016: Co-Mo Electric Cooperative
- 2015: Kit Carson Electric Cooperative
- 2014: Nashville Electric Service
- 2013: CenterPoint Energy
- 2012: Orion Power & Utilities
- 2011: Nebraska Public Power District
- 2010: Southern California Edison
- 2009: EDP- Electricidade De Portugal, S.A.
- 2008: San Diego Gas & Electric
- 2007: Jackson Energy Authority
- 2006: Cleco
- 2005: Cinergy
Deadline for Entry
January 31st, 2025
- Applicants must have the approval of senior management to apply.
- A clear and concise abstract detailing the activity and outcome of the effort and the benefit the results provided to the community and the organizations
- Judging and Award(s) Selection
- The UTC Nominating Committee will select the award winner(s) in conjunction with the committee’s award selection process.
Impact Award
Building on the legacy of UTC Awards, the association has established the IMPACT Awards. The IMPACT Awards honor the UTC Associate Member organizations making a great impact on our industry through innovative and proven solutions. Nominations can be based on one of three categories: Hardware, Software, or Service. There may be up to three Impact Awards awarded based on the submissions.
The evaluation process will ensure that all UTC Associate Member organizations, regardless of size, type, or offering can clearly communicate, affirm, and support their nomination. The main criterion is that the nominee has provided a true “impact” on the industry with their hardware solutions, software solutions, or services provided.
Hardware
Software
Service
There may be up to three Impact Awards given.
- 2024 Services Winner: Lockard & White
- 2023 Software Winner: Osmose Utilities Services, Inc.
- 2022 Software Winner: Burns & McDonnell
- 2021 Software Winner: Council Rock
- 2020 Awards were not presented due to COVID
- 2019 Hardware Winner: RFL/Hubbell Power Systems, Software Winner: Ciena
- 2018 Hardware Winner: MiMOMax
- Services Winner: Lerman Senter
- Software Winner: Ciena
- 2017 Hardware Winner: Council Rock
- Services Winner: Alianza
- Software Winner: ECI Telecom
- 2016 Hardware Winner: Ciena
- Software Winner: MegaSys
Deadline for Entry
January 31st, 2025
- Applicants must have the approval of senior management to apply.
- A clear and concise abstract detailing the activity and outcome of the effort and the benefit the results provided to the community and the organizations
- Judging and Award(s) Selection
- The UTC Nominating Committee will select the award winner(s) in conjunction with the committee’s award selection process.
Secretary/Treasurer Nominations
We invite you to submit your nomination for the position of Secretary/Treasurer on the UTC Board of Directors. This role, elected by the UTC voting membership, places you at the heart of our Executive Committee, where your voice will resonate in key decision-making processes.
As the official recording officer, you will play a crucial role in documenting the discussions and decisions of our Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Your attention to detail will ensure that minutes are captured, records are maintained, and timely notices are distributed, keeping our Board of Directors and membership community informed and engaged.
As the financial steward of UTC, you will oversee our revenue streams and expenditures, providing essential reports on our financial health to both the Board and our members. You will also serve as Chair of the UTC Finance Committee. This is not just a role; it’s an opportunity for growth and leadership.
Over the course of a four-year engagement, you’ll have the chance to ascend to higher leadership roles, including Vice-Chair, Chair, and Immediate-Past Chair, shaping the future of UTC and leaving a lasting impact on our organization.
Deadline for Entry
January 31st, 2025
Eligibility and Criteria
- Be in a current position within their organizations that affords some experience in dealing with and being at ease with senior management and government officials.
- Have budget responsibilities within their organizations.
- Have supervisory experience with a staff similar in size to the UTC staff.
- Have the full support of their senior management to enable them to take the necessary time, including travel and expenses as a UTC officer.
- Be a consensus builder able to make decisions after hearing all sides and perspectives.
- Be able to bring along dissenters with strong leadership.
- Have leadership experience working/serving in and knowledge of UTC divisions and/or committees.
- Should have at least 4-8 years as a volunteer with UTC, including holding positions within UTC of increasing responsibility.
