Knowledge, Innovation, Technology and Excellence (KITE) Awards

 

Knowledge. Innovation. Technology. Excellence. These are the characteristics that distinguish true leaders, whom you will encounter around every corner and in every forum at Knowledge2011.

 

This year, we honored industry luminaries who have advanced their companies through strategic initiatives, measurable technology efforts and innovative solutions. Awards were presented to utility executives who best exemplified the characteristics of knowledge, innovation, technology and excellence in each of the following categories:

 

• CIO of the Year
• Customer Service Leader of the Year
• Operations Leader of the Year
• 2011 Intelligent Utility of the Year (UtiliQ 2011)

 

2011 KITE Award Winners:

CIO of the Year Reid V. Nuttall OGE Energy Corp.	Operations Leader of the Year Paul Lau Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
Customer Service Leader of the Year Gregory Knight CenterPoint Energy Inc.	UtiliQ San Diego Gas & Electric

 

 

UtilitQ Runner Up: PG&E Corp.

UtiliQ 2nd Runner Up: Austin Energy

 

 

Categories:

 

CIO OF THE YEAR

Demonstrated innovative leadership through specific technology/business initiatives.

 

A candidate is required to meet these criteria:

1. Be employed as a chief information officer or hold the most senior level IT position within his/her employer's organization.
2. Has demonstrated innovative leadership through effective use of technology in support of the strategic initiatives of his/her organization.
3. Be employed by one of the following types of organizations:
   • Private or investor owned water, gas or electricity utility.
   • Non-investor owned / para-state / government-owned or government-run water, gas, or electricity utility company
   • Water, gas or electricity municipality
   • Water, gas or electricity co-operative
   • Energy marketer
4. Possess primary responsibility for the technical performance of his/her employer's organization.
5. Represent the highest standard of leadership in information technology in his/her organization.

 

 

CUSTOMER SERVICE LEADER OF THE YEAR

Demonstrated innovative leadership through specific customer service initiatives.

 

A candidate is required to meet these criteria:

1. Hold the most senior level Customer Service position within his/her employer's organization.
2. Has demonstrated innovative leadership through effective use of Customer Service in support of the strategic initiatives of his/her organization.
3. Be employed by one of the following types of organizations:
   • Private or investor owned water, gas or electricity utility
   • Non-investor owned / para-state / government-owned or government-run water, gas, or electricity utility company
   • Water, gas or electricity municipality
   • Water, gas or electricity co-operative
   • Energy marketer
4. Possess primary responsibility for the customer service performance of his/her employer's organization.
5. Represent the highest standard of leadership in customer service in his/her organization

 

 

OPERATIONS LEADER OF THE YEAR

Demonstrated innovative leadership through operational techniques and initiatives.

 

A candidate is required to meet these criteria:

1. Hold the most senior level Operations position within his/her employer's organization.
2. Has demonstrated innovative leadership through effective use of operational techniques in support of the strategic initiatives of his/her organization.
3. Be employed by one of the following types of organizations:
   • Private or investor owned water, gas or electricity utility
   • Non-investor owned / para-state / government-owned or government-run water, gas, or electricity utility company
   • Water, gas or electricity municipality
   • Water, gas or electricity co-operative
   • Energy marketer
4. Possess primary responsibility for the operational performance of his/her employer's organization.
5. Represent the highest standard of leadership in operations in his/her organization.

 

2011 Intelligent Utility of the Year (UtiliQ 2011)

Demonstrated innovative leadership through productivity, renewable energy, smart initiatives, DR/EE, and IT investment.

 

A utility’s intelligence is based on five quantifiable metrics:

1. Productivity and efficiency.
2. A commitment to renewable energy as a part of its resource portfolio.
3. Smart meter deployments and smart grid projects involving the T&D network.
4. An investment in its consumers, by allowing them to intelligently manage their energy use and costs.
5. An investment in information technology to enable business process improvement.

 

 

Past Recipients:

 

2010 KITE Award Winners:

CIO of the Year Mashvash Yazdi Southern California Edison	Operations Leader of the Year Ben LaPianta Toronto Hydro
Customer Service Leader of the Year Michael Lowe Salt River Project	UtiliQ San Diego Gas & Electric

 

 

UtilitQ Runner Up: Austin Energy

UtiliQ 2nd Runner Up: PG&E Corporation