|
It's a Major Award!
By Mike Hyland
Executive Director, NEPPA
Many of you know that line from the 1983 Christmas Story movie. Since 1997, TNT and TBS television channels have played 24-hours of Christmas Story, which is a delight to me and most of my brothers. To me, the subplot in the story concerning the leg lamp, won by Mr. Parker in a crossword competition, helped make the movie a Christmas Classic. You cannot see a full leg lamp in a holiday store, or online, without thinking of the old man saying “Fra Gee Lay – must be Italian". Not that is matters, but my favorite line is: “It is a lamp, you nincompoop, but it's a Major Award. I won it!”
So, it’s July and why are we talking about a leg lamp from a Christmas movie? Well, it's to highlight big awards. Old Man Parker received a lamp for filling out a crossword puzzle, just as the NEPPA community hauled in a bundle of awards at the recent APPA National Conference in Boston for doing so much more. I mean, I like cross word puzzles all the same – but I certainly don’t think anyone is deserving of “the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window” for completing one.
The following NEPPer’s were highlighted in Boston, many whom walked across the stage on June 30th and were greeted by the APPA brass to receive their award in person. But, whether they received it in person, or in the mail, the awards are for all of their hard work, the stuff we don’t see and the hours spent making it happen.
A huge congratulations to:
- Alan Robinson, Russell Municipal Light Department – Larry Hobart Seven Hats Award
- Anne Finley, Middleton Electric Light Department – Public Power Rising Star Award
- John Tzimorangas, Energy New England – Mark Crisson Leadership & Managerial Excellence Award
- Georgetown Municipal Light Department – E.F. Scattergood System Achievement Award
- Middleborough Gas & Electric Department – Sue Kelly Community Service Award
- Aaron Brooks, Groton Utilities & Bozrah Light & Power – Leadership Essentials Certificate Program Graduate
- Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department – Energy Innovator Award
But the NEPPer’s weren’t done there – we dominated the agenda as well – top to bottom!
The following sessions were organized and led by the NEPPA community:
- Lessons in Resilience and Emergency Response – Barry Tupper, Holden and Mike Hyland, NEPPA.
-
Collaborating for Fleet Electrification Success – Kaetlyn Leahy Barb, Energy New England
- A View from the Other Side: What Large Customers Want – Bill Bottiggi, Braintree
- Evolving Demand-Side Management for Changing Times – Kevin Bleau, Belmont and Zoe Eckert, Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC)
- Storm Hardening with Spacer Cable: Improving Resilience and Reliability – Dave Ketchen, Littleton Electric & Water Department and Scott Larsen, Littleton & Hendrix-Marmon.
- The Operational Excellence Behind Customer Satisfaction – Ashley Fuller, Olivia Ouellette and Rick Maksian, all from Shrewsbury Electric & Cable Operations
- Responding to Evolving Customer Needs – Michael Schmitt, Hull
- Leveraging Storage for Lower Costs and Greater Resilience – Jason Viadero, MMWEC
- Telling the Public Power Story Inside and Out – Dani Taylor, Middleborough Gas & Electric Department and Tom Flaherty, Westfield Gas & Electric
APPA contacted us a couple years ago asking us to organize an APPA Local Arrangements Planning Committee. For those unaware - this group came into Boston in the fall of 2025, and worked with APPA staff to design the agenda, choose the topics to cover, decide on the Tuesday night networking event, etc. I’d like to thank those who came to Boston, not just last year, but again in June to show the public power community from outside of the Northeast who we are and what we are about.
Here’s a rundown of the Committee members:
- Nick Lawler – LELWD, Chair
- Tom Barry – MMWEC
- Bill Bottiggi – Braintree, Mass
- Justin Connell – Hudson, Mass
- Pete Dion – Wakefield, Mass
- Wendy Esche – NEPPA Staff
- Anna Henderson – Kennebunk, Maine
- Vin Ragucci – ENE
- Tara Rondeau – Paxton, Mass
- Kate Roy – MMWEC
- Mary Snow – Georgetown, Mass
- Joe Solicito – Mansfield, Mass
- Craig Spinale – Belmont, Mass
- Ken Stone – Middleborough, Mass
- Barry Tupper – Holden, Mass
- John Tzimorangas – ENE
The NEPPA Board also gets props for their support. APPA has not held a National Conference in Boston since 1984. The idea going into 2026 was to give the attendees such a memorable event – they have to come back! I think we hit a home run, and for that you all deserve a leg lamp. From the NEPPA luncheon to the NEPPA Welcome bags, we were the talk of the town for over 1600 attendees – the largest in APPA history.
And now we are preparing for our NEPPA Annual Conference next month down in Hyannis, on Cape Cod. The energy should still be flowing, and I look forward to seeing everyone and announcing the NEPPA Annual Awards at Monday night's banquet. Maybe we will even hand out a leg lamp.
Fra – Gee – Lay!
-Mike
| | Award winners pictured above (left to right): Anne Finley of Middleton Electric Light Department, Dani Taylor of Middleborough Gas and Electric Department, Ken Stone of Middleborough Gas and Electric Department, John Tzimorangas of ENE, Mary Snow of Georgetown Municipal Light Department and Mike Hyland of NEPPA. | | Northeast Public Power Association Executive Director Receives Individual Achievement Award | | |
Boston, Massachusetts, June 30, 2026 — Michael Hyland, Executive Director of the Northeast Public Power Association, received the James D. Donovan Individual Achievement Award during the American Public Power Association’s National Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the electric utility industry and to public power.
Mike’s decades of leadership at APPA and the Northeast Public Power Association drove advancements in safety measures, reliability standards and data analysis, the implementation of a national mutual aid program, and launched the Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo. He has elevated municipal utility priorities in national policy and emergency management, including advancing the unified mutual aid agreement that standardized response procedures and helping secure FEMA reimbursement protections. Notably, he modernized and expanded on APPA events and programs, spearheading improvements to the DEED Research & Development Program, and launching the Reliable Public Power (RP3) and Smart Energy Provider (SEP) Programs. Mike initiated the Light Up Navajo program to electrify the Navajo nation in Fort Defiance, Arizona, served as Chairman of the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) for ten years, earned three patents in data analytics, and served on numerous North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Committees.
| | Upcoming Training & Events | | Two more weeks to register! | | |
NEPPA's 2026 Annual Conference
August 16-19, 2026
Margaritaville Resort
Hyannis, MA
| Spark new ideas and strengthen industry connections during these four dynamic days, packed with a variety of expert learning sessions, collaborative roundtable conversations, interactive sponsor showcases and countless opportunities for connection. Recharge your professional development and power up your perspective. Join us as we move public power forward to shape what the future looks like for our industry. | | |
Tactical Tuesday
August 11, 2026
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Held Virtually
(Free to members)
Topic: SolarAPP+
| | | | | |
Industry Day - Hosted by HasGo
September 1, 2026
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
| | |
Hot Work Essentials
September 8-10, 2026
7:30 am - 2:30 pm
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
| | | | | |
Metering II Program
September 8-10, 2026
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
| | |
Tactical Tuesday
September 8, 2026
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Held Virtually
(Free to members)
| | | | | |
Crew Leadership
September 15-17, 2026
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
| | Evan Boike Joins CRC as Regional Business Manager | | |
July 2, 2026 - Austin, MN – Cooperative Response Center, Inc. (CRC) is pleased to announce Evan Boike as its new regional business manager for its northern territory, where he will support existing member accounts and help drive new growth opportunities across CRC’s 25-state northern region.
Boike brings extensive experience serving rural electric cooperatives and a strong understanding of the utility industry. A former lineman, he has spent much of his career working alongside electric utility leaders and employees, giving him firsthand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.
| | John G. Tzimorangas, CEO Elected To The American Public Power Association Board Of Directors | |
July 1, 2026 - Boston, MA - John G. Tzimorangas, President and CEO at Energy New England, has been elected to serve a three-year term on the Board of Directors for the American Public Power Association (APPA). The election was confirmed during the APPA’s Annual Business Meeting at the 2026 National Conference held in Boston.
“I am deeply honored to be elected to the APPA Board by the membership. I look forward to working alongside utility leaders nationwide to advocate for reliable, sustainable, and community-powered energy solutions,” said Tzimorangas.
On the board, Tzimorangas will help guide strategic initiatives, including advocacy, policy development, and addressing industry challenges like reliability and cybersecurity. Tzimorangas will represent Region 8, which includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, along with Barry Tupper, General Manager of Holden Municipal Light Department.
“With the energy industry changing daily and the need to continue the mission of consumer-owned utilities of high reliability and reasonable costs. The ability to work with utility leaders who have different perspectives and issues throughout the country, can only strengthen the understanding my understanding and bring that to the attention of the utilities in Region 8,” said Tzimorangas.
| | Mayor, Burlington Electric Department, IBEW Local 300 Announce Successful Negotiation and Signing of New, Three-Year Union Contract | Pictured above: Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak and Jeffrey Wimette, Business Manager and Financial Secretary, IBEW Local 300 | |
July 1, 2026 - Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Burlington Electric Department (BED), and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 300 announced the successful negotiation of a new, three-year collective bargaining agreement. The contract was signed this afternoon at a ceremony at BED.
The contract extends the longstanding partnership between the union workforce of 85 staff members and BED from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026. IBEW Local 300 ratified the contract prior to the Burlington City Council’s approval of the agreement at its June 29, 2026, meeting.
The agreement was reached through an efficient and collaborative bargaining process that concluded in advance of the start of the City’s new fiscal year. The new contract builds on the parties’ previous four-year agreement and reflects a strong labor-management relationship that has continued to grow in recent years, including the establishment of regular labor-management meetings focused on communication, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The agreement also advances BED’s commitment to safe, reliable, affordable, and renewable power for Burlingtonians.
| | Keeping you Connected... Events & Opportunities | | Introducing “Off the Grid,” a new NEPPA member spotlight series! | |
NEPPA’s new Off the Grid campaign highlights the people behind public power and the passions, hobbies, and talents they pursue outside of work. From photography and writing to woodworking, music, sports, and everything in between, this series showcases the unique stories that make our public power community special.
We’ll be featuring NEPPA members throughout the year and sharing the interests and experiences that inspire them beyond their day-to-day roles. Interested in being featured? NEPPA members can submit their stories through our Off the Grid submission form below or by emailing media@neppa.org!
| | | Federal Funding: President Trump Signs Reconciliation 2.0 as Reconciliation 3.0 Talks Continue | | Congressional Actions: Negotiators Provide Insight into Permitting Reform Discussions; House and Senate Advance NDAA Bills; Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Advances Affordability and Grid Improvement Bills | | Administration Actions: FERC Acts on Large Load Interconnections; FCC Adopts Wireline Deployment NPRM | | |
Tactical Tuesday (Virtual)
August 11, 2026
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Held virtually
2026 Annual Conference
August 16 - 19, 2026
Margaritaville Resort
Hyannis, MA
Industry Day - Hosted by HasGo
September 1, 2026
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Littleton, MA
Hot Work Essentials
September 8 - 10, 2026
7:30 am - 2:30 pm
Littleton, MA
Metering II Program
September 8 - 10, 2026
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Littleton, MA
Tactical Tuesday (Virtual)
September 8, 2026
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Held virtually
(PUMP) Public Utility Management Program SOLD OUT
April 14-16, 2026
September 9, 2026 (Virtual)
September 23, 2026 (Virtual)
October 27-29, 2026
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Littleton, MA
Crew Leadership
September 15 - 17, 2026
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Littleton, MA
| | |
2026 Apprentice Lineworker Program
Year I:
Group A: Jul. 21 – Jul 24; Sept. 29 – Oct 2
Year II:
Group A: Aug. 4 – 7; Oct. 20 – 23
Group B: Aug. 11 – 14; Oct. 27 – 30
Year III:
Group A: Sept. 1 – 4 (Pascoag, RI); Nov. 3 – 6
Group B: Sept. 15 – 18 (Pascoag, RI); Nov. 17 – 20
Year IV: Sep. 22 – 25; Dec. 1 – 3
Apprentice Lineworker Program Graduation
(Class of 2026)
December 3, 2026
Learn More
| |
Substation II Program (Session I)
September 22 - 24, 2026
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Littleton, MA
Energy Connect Conference*
September 29 - October 1
Hilton Mystic
Mystic, CT
2027 Annual Conference*
August 29 - September 1, 2027
Newport Harbor Island Resort
Newport, RI
| |
*Registration not yet available.
See All Events
| | ** Your Logo Could Be Here **
By becoming a new NEPPA member you will not only be spotlighted here but also get VIP treatment with our many member benefits. Learn more & Join now! | | Our Seasonal "Bucket Brief"
Brought to you by NEPPA's Safety Committee | | Keeping Lineworker Crews in the Safety Mindset
with Key Reminders and Resources | | | | |
The Bucket Brief: Summer 2026 - Work Safe. Home Safe. Everyone. Every Day.
As we move through the summer season, our crews continue to face unique challenges, including heat stress, severe weather, increased construction activity, roadway hazards, long workdays, and vacation reset. While our commitment to reliability keeps the lights on for our communities, our commitment to safety ensures that every employee returns home safely at the end of the day.
Read the Latest Edition
| | | | | |
