Show runs Sept. 29-Oct. 2 in San Antonio, Texas
NORTHBROOK, Ill., Aug. 27, 2002 - AMRA announced today its line-up of industry leaders who will share their expertise at the AMRA 2002 International Symposium, Sept. 29-Oct. 2 in San Antonio.
"Attendees will have an opportunity to directly affect their company's bottom-line by expanding their knowledge and hearing strategies from some of the industry's best," says Ron Chebra, AMRA's president.
"I'm confident the assembly of general session keynotes will make the 2002 AMRA Symposium the most resourceful and influential AMR-related conference yet."
General Sessions take place Monday, Sept. 30, and Wednesday, Oct. 2. Speakers are:
Michael E. Bray, President
PPL Electric Utilities
Michael Bray draws from more than 30 years of experience in the energy industry during his presentation "AMR: A Strategic Investment." He will explain that how AMR is much more than a technology project for PPL Electric Utilities - it is a carefully evaluated strategic investment that fits with the company's strategy to improve efficiency and increase customer satisfaction. He will explain how PPL leaders are managing the AMR implementation to ensure the company and its customers derive all anticipated benefits.
Nieves Lopez, Chief Policy Analyst, Policy Development Division
Public Utility Commission of Texas
Nieves Lopez provides policy guidance to Commissioners regarding the oversight of the electric industry and contested cases brought before the Commission. She will share her views about a topic she knows well: "Overview of The Texas Market, Proposed Restructuring and Rulemaking." Vertically integrated Texas utilities now operate as separate entities that provide generation, transmission and retail services. Transmission and distribution utilities remain regulated, and competitive retail electric providers offer choice in price, service packages, generation sources and technologies. Other companies also can participate as aggregators or vendors of services. Lopez will discuss how the new market offers opportunities for many entities, including meter service companies.
Fidel Marquez, Vice President of Transmission and Distribution
City Public Service of San Antonio
Fidel Marquez directs the planning, design, construction and maintenance of City Public Service's transmission and distribution system. In his talk, "Meeting Customers' Expectations," he will discuss solutions for minimizing costs, mitigating business risk and increasing throughput. Marquez also will share how AMR technologies, which enable utilities to surpass the expectations of their customers and allow customers to increase profits, are improving operations in San Antonio.
Steve Carrico, Director of Communications Business Development
Wisconsin Public Service Co.
Steve Carrico is responsible for deploying WPS' AMR network and promoting the strategy to regulators. He will present "United We Stand: The Value of Alliances," a discussion about how the opportunities that trade associations provide to utility telecommunications, operations and strategy leaders have never been more valuable than they are today. Utility-industry organizations and businesses should cooperate to yield shared benefits related to regulatory and legal advocacy, spectrum engineering and frequency coordination.
Craig Goodman, President and CEO
National Energy Marketers Association
Craig Goodman represents the National Energy Marketers Association before state and federal regulatory commissions and legislatures regarding issues such as deregulation, industry restructuring, energy taxation and the implementation of all forms of advanced energy technologies and distributed generation. His address - titled "National Guidelines for Advanced Metering and Information Technologies" - calls for competitive suppliers to provide advanced metering and information technologies at competitive prices. By combining metering, telecommunications, Internet, load management and demand-side management technologies, businesses and consumers can closely monitor energy consumption and suppliers can accurately match supply with demand, reducing energy bills for all customer classes.
James Rodier, energy industry attorney and consultant
Sanders & McDermott PLLC
James Rodier advises clients - regulators, utility leaders, competitive suppliers and consumers - on matters pertaining to power sales and supply as well as legislation and regulation. His presentation, titled "Strategies to Promote the Development of Retail Choice," will discuss how despite significant strides in the past year, competitive retail electricity markets have not developed as fully as envisioned. As customers' attitudes about the price and terms of power supply shifts, utility industry leaders also must modify strategies and services, Rodier says.
Featured speaker Connie Podesta
Nationally Acclaimed Author and Speaker
Connie Podesta is a licensed professional counselor and author who uses humor to teach listeners about themselves, the people around them and how to work together in today's ever-changing industry and interpersonal environments. In her presentation "Personal Goals for Business Success," she will discuss how fast-paced business environments can create professional and personal challenges. Understanding why we act and react the way we do can help attendees communicate and make decisions that have a positive impact on professional success.
About AMRA
AMRA and e-amra.com are nonprofit organizations founded to address standardization, justification and deployment practices in the application and advancement of enhanced customer-service and resource-management technologies. The groups' mission is to provide AMR information and educational resources worldwide by advocating standards and the use of advanced metering technologies. Members of the associations receive numerous benefits, including newsletters, AMR reports and updates, and discounted registration fees for educational events.
Upcoming AMRA Symposia:
AMRA 2003 International Symposium
September 7-10
America's Center
St. Louis, Mo.
AMRA 2004 International Symposium
September 26-29
Gaylord Palms Resort and Conv. Center
Kissimmee, Fla.
For more information, visit http://www.amra-intl.org.
