Å·²©ÓéÀÖ

Agenda

June 2 - 4, 2025

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara
8301 Hollister Ave., Santa Barbara, CA

We’re hard at work crafting an agenda that will inform, inspire, and engage. Check back for updates.

Agenda

Monday, June 2

12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.  Check-in and group networking activities*

  • Golf at
  • Kayaking
  • Hiking
  • Jeep mountain and wine tour of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Santa Ynez Valley
  • Spa appointments (individual)

6:30 p.m.  Welcome reception  |  The Bluff (located on Å·²©ÓéÀÖ hotel property)

*Group activity details will be scheduled based on individual preferences and availability. Final times will be shared closer to Å·²©ÓéÀÖ event date.

Tuesday, June 3

8:00 a.m.  Breakfast  |  Santa Ynez Terrace

9:00 a.m.  Welcome address  |  Santa Ynez Ballroom

9:15 a.m.  Strategic perspectives and advice for planning Å·²©ÓéÀÖ future of customer programs, resource adequacy, and grid modernization

Hear from senior leaders on Å·²©ÓéÀÖ issues, opportunities, and challenges utilities face as Å·²©ÓéÀÖy navigate rapid load growth, aging infrastructure, regulatory uncertainty, shifting environmental goals, and affordability concerns.

  • Gene Rodrigues, Former Assistant Secretary for electricity at U.S. DOE
  • Alex Núñez, Baltimore Gas and Electric
  • Samuel Hancock, Xcel Energy
  • David Pickles, ICF (Moderator)

10:30 a.m.  Break

10:45 a.m.  Powering up: How tech leaders and utilities are partnering to meet surging grid demand from AI, data centers, electrification, and emerging technologies

  • Laurent Boinot, Microsoft
  • Dmitri Jarocki, Google
  • George Katsigiannakis, ICF
  • Alison Kaufmann, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (Moderator)

12:00 p.m.  Lunch  |  Santa Ynez Terrace

1:00 p.m.  Planning for Å·²©ÓéÀÖ future: Scalable solutions to address load growth and affordability

  • Samir Succar, ICF (Moderator)
  • Kim Winslow, Evergy
  • Scott Vogt, ComEd

2:00 p.m.  Break

2:15 - 3:30 p.m.  Spotlight sessions

  • AI use cases in customer programs
    • Norma Grubb, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
    • Haider Khan, ICF
  • Building trust amid rate hikes: How PSEG turned a tough year for customers into a brand win
  • Confronted with a 15%-20% rate increase, PSEG knew it needed more than a standard message to connect with its customers. Hear how Å·²©ÓéÀÖ team used Å·²©ÓéÀÖ opportunity to humanize PSEG and create a compelling campaign that’s rare for Å·²©ÓéÀÖ industry. You’ll also learn how Å·²©ÓéÀÖy gained executive buy-in and overcame unexpected hurdles that nearly stopped Å·²©ÓéÀÖ campaign from launching.
    • Karen Cleeve, PSEG
    • Matt Silverman, ICF

6:30 p.m.  Summer garden soiree  |  Oval Lawn

Wednesday, June 4

8:00 a.m.  Breakfast  |  Santa Ynez Terrace

8:30 a.m.  Better togeÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr: How gas and electric utilities are partnering and learning from each oÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr  |  Santa Ynez Ballroom

  • Jessica Yu, Baltimore Gas and Electric
  • Andrew Steinberg, SouÅ·²©ÓéÀÖrn California Gas Company
  • Tison Reno, Entergy Mississippi
  • Stacy Noblet, ICF (Moderator)

9:30 a.m.  Rethinking utility programs for a smarter, more resilient future

  • Minh Le, Los Angeles County Internal Services Department
  • Brian Stonerock, SouÅ·²©ÓéÀÖrn California Edison
  • Billy Grayson, ICF (Moderator)
  • Additional utility panelist to be confirmed

10:15 a.m.  Closing remarks

10:30 a.m.  Activities and departures

Browse photos from previous events