RECORD REGISTRATION AT EUFMC

Repeating its record setting 2010 performance, the Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference in 2011 brought together 100 fleet managers from over 50 companies, including more than 30 first-time attendees. Participating were fleet executives from investor-owned electric utilities, electric cooperatives and electrical contractors from across the U.S., Canada and South America.

Joining the fleet managers at the 58th annual conference, held June 19-22, 2011 at the Williamsburg Lodge and Conference Center in Williamsburg, Virginia, were representatives of more than 100 industry suppliers of utility equipment and services. In 2011, the EUFMC Equipment Demonstration featured more than 60 displays where fleet managers met with over 270 representatives of manufacturers and service providers.

Organized and produced by a highly dedicated group of fleet managers, the EUFMC program features technical and management presentations, and an equipment exhibit built on the guidance of fleet professionals.

“This group of volunteers works for many months to determine what subjects will have the greatest interest to the fleet and supplier community,” said George Survant, Director of Fleet Services at Florida Power & Light and the current EUFMC President. “That is why EUFMC helps fleet professionals make a difference in their organizations,and why so many fleet managers come back every year.”

NEW EUFMC DATES ANNOUNCED

The 59th Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference will be held June 3-6, 2012 at the Williamsburg Lodge and Conference Center in Williamsburg, Virginia. The earlier dates are the result of feedback from attendees during general sessions over the past few years indicating a desire to move the conference away from Father’s Day weekend and to a hopefully cooler part of late spring/early summer. EUFMC will be held beginning the first weekend in June for the next five years.

GROWTH AND SUCCESS

Leading off the 2011 EUFMC was keynote speaker Mike Sole, Vice President of Government Affairs, Florida Power & Light. The former Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection brought a unique perspective on how involvement in the rule-making process can help ensure laws and regulations governing utilities are fair and applicable.

Sole began by emphasizing how important it is for fleet managers and the vendor community to be involved in the regulatory process. “Sharing knowledge is important for safety and for limiting liability, for meeting regulatory requirements and for cutting costs,” he said. “Your participation is essential for regulators to determine objectives and for industry to have the flexibility on how to achieve them. It is more important than ever that you have a strong voice and bring fact based information to regulators.”

Part of that process, Sole continued, is for fleets to field test technologies and provide data that helps identify viable solutions. “Your real world application is the only true test,” he stated. “I greatly applaud your willingness to invest time and money in testing and benchmarking, and to share results that help this industry grow and succeed.”

EUFMC featured a series of presentations on “Focused Strategies for Future Success” by industry experts, manufacturers and fleets:

  • Fleet Strategies: Acquisition, Maintenance, Parts-- Gill Nichols, Baltimore Gas & Electric; Herb Kramer, Oklahoma Gas and Electric; Gary Butler, Progress Energy; Moderator: Bill Doggett, LGE-KU
  • 2010 Emissions Systems: Fleet Experience and Strategies-- Steven Hopkins, Georgia Power; Jay Massey, Amerigas
  • Hybrid Truck Life Experience: One Year Later-- Mike Allison, Duke Energy; Dave Meisel, Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Glen Martin, Florida Power & Light
  • Utilization of Benchmarking Data to Define Success--Chris Shaffer, Partner, Utilimarc
  • Acquisition and Funding Strategies—Mark Smith, National Technology Deployment Manager, National Clean Cities Program
  • Washington Update: Legislation and Regulations impacting Fleets— Pat O'Connor, President, Kent & O'Connor, Inc. andUS Legislative Counsel, National Association of Fleet Administrators
  • Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicles--Mark Kosowski, Technical Executive- Hybrids, EPRI
  • Emerging Market Update— Bill Van Amburg, Sr. Vice President, CALSTART
  • New Standards for Cranes and Digger Derricks-- Joel Oliva, Program Manager, National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators; Jim Olsen, Product and Safety Engineer, Terex; Josh Chard, Manager-Prevention & Product Safety, Altec Industries

PROVIDING MOTIVATION

Called the “the greatest motivator of our time,” one of the most celebrated and accomplished coaches in sports history addressed EUFMC attendees. Lou Holtz, long associated withthe Notre Dame University “Fighting Irish” football team, brought his message of inspiration and motivation to the conference to help attendees learn to assess their strengths, work as a team and embrace the values that can help improve their organizations.

MEISEL JOINS EUFMC BOARD

During EUFMC 2011,David Meisel, Director-Transportation Services at Pacific Gas and Electric Company was named to the EUFMC Board of Directors. “Attending theElectric Utility Fleet Managers Conference is a very worthwhile investment,” Meisel said. “There is no other conference where attendees can learn as much and meet as many influential people, in both the utility industry and the supplier community, in such a short period of time. EUFMC is completelyunique and something that each person who attends will find very valuable for years to come."

SAVE THE DATE

The 59th Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference will be held June 3-6, 2012 at the Williamsburg Lodge and Conference Center in Williamsburg, Virginia.

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