PURPOSE
The National Utilities Diversity Council (NUDC), is a not-for-profit 501, (c), (3) public benefit corporation that conducts research to educate, develop best practices and guide efforts that will promote diversity in the utility industry in the areas of governance, employment, procurement, language access/customer service and philanthropy. NUDC is affiliated with the Utility Market Access Partnership (UMAP), an ad hoc committee of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC).
Established in October of 2007 and incorporated in the State of Delaware, the NUDC is the premier organization promoting diversity in the regulated industries of cable, energy, telecommunications and water. It is driven by State utility commissioners representing a cross section of States in the nation.
First meeting of NUDC November 12, 2007, Anaheim, CA - (L to R front row) Melinda Guzman, Nancy Zarenda, NUDC Co Chairman and Commissioner Harold D. Williams, Cynthia Marshall, Jose L. Perez, Commissioner Mignon L. Clyburn (L to R second row) Scott Drury, Tom Oliver, Will Johnson, Rafael Sanchez, Commissioner Timothy Alan Simon, Charles Twamugabo, Bob Mulz, Carl Wood, Tamara Walden and Ken McNeely. Not in picture NUDC Co Chaiman and President Michael R. Peevey, Chair Arnetta McCrae, Chairman Wendell F. Holland, and Frank J. Quevedo, 
February 18, 2008
Renaissance Washington Hotel
Washington DC
Board Retreat to review Draft Business Plan & Five Year Strategic Growth Objectives
Location/Dates/Time - TBA
June 2-3, 2008
NUDC Retreat - North Carolina
Regular Meeting: July 19/20, 2008
Portland, OR
"Advancing Diversity in the Clean Energy Economy: A Leadership Summin on Green Investment in Business, Jobs and Language Access"
November 15-16, 2008
W Hotel - New Orleans, LA
GREEN ECONOMY
NUDC presents "Advancing Diversity in the Clean Energy Economy: A Leadership Summin on Green Investment in Business, Jobs and Language Access" at its first Annual Meeting on November 15-16, 2008 at the W Hotel in New Orleans, LA.
Sponsorship, Advertising or Registration information please contact us at energysummit@nudc.biz.
NUDC Sets
Strategic Priorities
Procurement diversity is the top priority for the leadership of NUDC. Joan Kerr, National Director of Supplier Diversity for AT&T and with a exceptional reputation in this areana, was appointed Chair of the NUDC Procurement Committee by Commissioner Harold D. Williams, Maryland PSC. The key goal of the committee will be to work to duplicate the procurement policies and procedures that have been successfully working in California for the last 20 years.
Employment diversity is the second top priority since all industries are facing a severe aging workforce and the challenge of a new energy economy. Jobs from the lowest level to the executive level will be the subject of a national strategy to promote diversity at all levels by creating strategic relationships between the companies, educators, labor and state and federal government entities. Steve Leder, Chief of Staff for HR at Pacific Gas & Electric Company has accepted the appointment to chair this committee.
Language Access is a key component for states that have experienced large numbers of newcomers from all over the world. Rate payers with limited English proficiency expect the same level of customer service as other customers. Given the growth of this population nationally and more so in certain states, Nancy Zarenda, owner of the Spanish Language Academy accepted the position of chair of the Language Access committee.
NUDC Members
Members of the NUDC represent a cross section of America including utility commissions, invester held companies, and national community, business and labor groups.
MEMBERS July 2008
Comissioner Harold D. Williams
Maryland PSC
President Michael R. Peevey
California PUC
Commissioner Mignon I. Clyburn
South Carolina PSC
Chairman Colette D. Honorable
Askansas PSC
Commissioner James Y. Kerr, II
North Carolina PUC
Chair Arnetta McRae
Delaware PSC
Commissioner Timothy Alan Simon
California PUC
Former Commissioners
Commissioner Irma Dixon
Louisana PSC
Chairman Wendell Holland
Pennsylvania PUC
Commissioner Ron Jones
Tennessee Regulatory Authority
Commissioner Carl Wood
California PUC
CABLE AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Susan Jin-Davis
Comcast Cable
Cynthia Marshall
AT&T North Carolina
Kenneth McNeely
AT&T California
ELECTRICITY AND GAS
Priscilla Chandler
PJM Interconnection
Adrian P. Chapman
Washington Gas
Peggy Davis
Exelon Coporation
Carmen Herrera
Sempra Energy Utilities
San Diego Gas & Electric
Southern California Gas Company
Tom King
National Grid
Frank J. Quevedo
Southern California Edison
Linda D. Thomas
Duke Energy
Charles Twamugabo
Pacific Gas & Electric Company
Business, Community and Labor
Former NM Governor Jerry Apodca
Latino Institute for Corporate Inclusion
Ron Bolten
National Urban League
Linda J. Denny
Women Business Enterprise National Council
Will J. Johnson
Visage Energy, Corporation
Bob Mulz
The Elite DVBE Network
Tom Oliver
WPI America
Ezekiel Patten, Jr.
National Council on Minorities in Energy
Jose L. Perez
Latino Journal
Rafael Sanchez
US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Tamara Walden
Walden Energy, LLC
Nancy Zarenda
Spanish Language Academy
Dept. of Energy Liaisaon
Christopher Frietas
Program Manager
NARUC Affiliate
Charles Gray
Executive Director
Committees
Joan Kerr - AT&T
Employment
Steve Leder - PG&E
Employment
Nancy Zarenda - Spanish Language Academy
Language Access
Legal Counsel
Melinda Guzman
Goldsberry, Freeman & Guzman
Comptroller
Ophelia Riego
in the Utility Industry
(Washington, D.C., July 22, 2008) - Today, the National Utilities Diversity Council (NUDC) and PJM Interconnection announced a joint internship and fellowship program to identify, recruit and place qualified students and advanced degree earners drawn from communities of diversity.
The purpose of the diversity internship and fellowship program is to increase the number of African-American, American Indian, Asian, Hispanic, women, service disabled war veterans and others in under-represented communities of diversity in the utility industry
The first placements are expected to take place this fall. Qualified individuals will be placed in PJM departments based on their skill sets and course background. The experience is expected to enhance their employability in the electric power industry.
In this program, selected individuals will be placed in support roles to gain insight into the culture and develop mentor relationships to advise and guide their advancement in the utility industry as a whole.
This new initiative heralds a series of partnerships now in the planning stage by NUDC throughout the United States.
NUDC Board Co-Chair Harold Williams, a member of the Maryland Public Service Commission said, "The program reflects the Council's vision to be the leading source promoting the utilization of diversity best practices in the utility industry and among its stakeholders. We are proud PJM has taken a leadership role in this new Council initiative."
The non-profit NUDC's mission is to foster collaboration among its key stakeholders to create value through thought leadership, research and metrics, education and outreach to actualize the competitive advantages of diversity stakeholders:
Terry Boston, PJM president and CEO, said, "We're excited about the opportunity to participate and committed to developing partnerships through NUDC that will increase diversity in the utility industry. We look forward to a rewarding relationship with NUDC."
Recruitment for PJM will be focused in Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
For more information about the internships or fellowships, please visit www.nudc.biz or email fellowships@nudc.biz.
About NUDC: The National Utilities Diversity Council Inc. is a not for profit, 501-c-3 partner to the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, one of the nation's oldest utility industry advocacy organizations. For more information visit www.nudc.biz.
About PJM: PJM Interconnection ensures the reliability of the high-voltage electric power system serving 51 million people in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. PJM coordinates and directs the operation of the region's transmission grid, which includes 6,038 substations and 56,350 miles of transmission lines; administers a competitive wholesale electricity market; and plans regional transmission expansion improvements to maintain grid reliability and relieve congestion. Visit PJM at www.pjm.com..
Contact Information
Jose L. Perez
Interim President & CEO
1017 L Street, PMB 306
Sacramento, CA 95814
jose@nudc.biz
Tel: 916.549.9540
Fax: 480.287.9833
Thomas Oliver
Interim COO
PO Box 440
Washington DC 20044
tom@nudc.biz
Tel: 202.744.9033
Physical Address:
National Utilities Diversity Council
National Press Building, Suite 1100
Washington DC 20045
NUDC Directorate
Co-Chairs
Commissioner Harold D. Williams
Maryland PSC
President Michael R. Peevey
California PUC
Co-Vice Chairs
Cynthia Marshall
AT&T North Carolina
Charles Twamugabo
Pacific Gas & Electric Company
Jose L. Perez
Latino Journal
Officers
Will Johnson - Treasurer
Visage Energy Corporation
Carmen Herrera - Secretary
Sempra Energy Utilities