Annual Customer Meeting

On Feb. 8, WAPA hosted its annual customer meeting, a hybrid session based out of the Headquarters office in Lakewood, Colorado. For the first time, customers and employees could attend from the comfort of their offices or take the opportunity to network with WAPA and other customers in person.

The event provided insight into activities and accomplishments across the full spectrum of WAPA functional areas.

Following an introduction from Acting Chief of Staff Christopher Lawrence, Administrator and CEO Tracey LeBeau kicked off the meeting with remarks on a wide range of pressing issues including WAPA’s annual theme of “Building Bridges,” the Power Forward 2030 strategic plan, drought response, sustainability goals and physical and cybersecurity. She also answered questions from customers in a Q&A session following her presentation.

The CEO session was followed by Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Tina Ko, who discussed the current operating landscape, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer Mike Montoya, who provided a cybersecurity update, and Chief Strategy Officer Kerry Whitford, who took a deeper dive into the new strategic plan.

After a coffee and networking break, WAPA regional managers presented on the progress from WAPA’s four regions and the Colorado River Storage Project Management Center. Then, Senior Vice President and Transmission Infrastructure Program Manager Paul Schwabe delivered updates on the TIP program.

In closing out the morning’s talks, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Mike Peterson provided an overview and recent developments from the Finance office.

For the next hour, customers and employees broke out into small discussion groups where they interacted on the topics of security, drought and hybrid work.

After the close of the formal meeting around lunchtime, attendees were invited to stick around for an open house and networking opportunity with WAPA senior leaders.

Hosted via Microsoft Teams, the meeting was a prime occasion to use the recently installed Teams Rooms equipment in WAPA Headquarters’ main conferencing area.

The following day, Feb. 9, more than 750 employees attended WAPA’s first All-Employee Meeting of 2023. The meeting, organized by the Office of Public Affairs and emceed by Chief Public Affairs Officer Teresa Waugh, featured an array of topics and speakers.

During her State of WAPA segment, LeBeau presented updates about the organization’s hot topics such as energy markets, supply chain outlook and staying connected and engaged while teleworking. She also showcased recent accomplishments such as the Records Management program’s transfer of nearly 300 cubic feet of paper records from Headquarters and Rocky Mountain to the National Archives and Records Administration.

Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Jennifer Rodgers delivered a presentation on Power Forward 2030, which had been formally released to the public earlier that week. She highlighted topline strategic goals and objectives that will set the organization’s strategic destination for the next seven years. She underscored the intensive and inclusive customer, stakeholder and employee engagement that made the new plan possible.

The meeting also featured updates from Management and Program Analyst Stacey Decker on the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey results and action plans, Future of Work and a Q&A session moderated by Lawrence.

Additionally, Transmission Asset Program Manager Chris Lyles, who was on detail to the Department of Energy, gave attendees a fascinating look inside the U.S. government’s response to support Ukraine’s electric power infrastructure in the face of devastating attacks. His talk featured meaningful images he’d captured while visiting Ukraine in his role with DOE.

The presentation slides and full video are available to employees on myWAPA.