SECC’s Best Practices Awards recognize leadership from electricity providers in the shift to a more consumer-focused energy ecosystem. They focus on real-life examples of engagement and education success and provide a blueprint for other providers to follow. By focusing on applicable insights, thought leadership and innovation, it is our hope that these awards spark real change within the utility industry.
The 2022 Best Practices Awards Advisory Panel includes:
Senior Vice President at Escalent
Chris has over 2 decades of experience in the utility industry. He currently leads the management advisory and Cogent Syndicated services at Escalent targeting improved service, brand and product experiences for utility clients. Prior to joining Escalent, he founded the J.D. Power Utility Practice and was a Principal at Navigant Consulting where he focused on management strategy and process improvement engagements. He has also led marketing and strategic planning efforts for major financial services companies. Chris holds an MBA from Georgetown University and a Bachelor degree from the University of Southern California.
President at Plugged in Strategies
Chris has worked in the electricity regulatory policy industry for 20 years, including 11 years as staff at the California PUC and Minnesota PUC. In that time, Chris has led initiatives on topics such as grid modernization, rate design reform, data access and data privacy, cybersecurity, and energy storage. Chris is also the author of several white papers from his time at the California PUC on topics such as pre-pay, microgrids, and cybersecurity, as well as the lead author of the NARUC DER Rate Design and Compensation manual, released in 2016. He is currently President of Plugged In Strategies where he advises clients on grid modernization, technology, and regulatory and policy matters.
Senior Attorney, Energy at the Environmental Defense Fund
As a Senior Attorney in EDF’s Energy program, Larissa engages in multiple regulatory proceedings in California, New York, and New Jersey, including those around electric vehicles and distributed energy resources, to break down barriers to accelerating clean energy in the state. She also works on policy analysis and legislative advocacy on transportation electrification in multiple states and at a federal level. From 2018 to early 2020, Larissa was on temporary assignment in London, where she focused on electrification of transport, improving air quality through UK legislation and implementing EU policy to minimize methane emissions in the energy sector.
Vice President, Planning and Partnerships at Sterling Planet
Phil has 40 years’ experience developing and implement strategies for large scale energy management programs. Since retiring from Schneider in 2016, Phil has been a visiting consultant primarily in distributed energy resources and sustainability. Phil previously worked with Schneider Electric’s in-house groups (Summit Energy (energy procurement and management), APC (data centers), Telvent (Utility grid systems), and Andover Controls (buildings). Phil also has served with several industry groups making major contributions to developing industry standards and regulations. Phil’s training in economics and econometrics has allowed him to work with customers to develop energy strategies that optimize cost, risk, and production.
Arara Blue Energy Group
Tanya has over 20 years in the energy industry. Since 2008, she has served as consultant and strategic advisor to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity (OE) implementing and directing initiatives that further grid modernization efforts. In her role, she works with utilities, state regulatory commissions, vendors, and organizations across the U.S. Notable initiatives include the multistakeholder process to develop a data privacy and access framework, now DataGuard; An EV Future: Navigating the Transition; and the Voices of Experience (topics on smart grid customer engagement, advanced distribution management systems, integrating intermittent resources, and leveraging AMI data and networks). She has a BSE in mechanical engineering from Arizona State University and an MBA from George Washington University.
Principal – Public Involvement and Facilitation at
Kearns & West
Joan Isaacson brings nearly 30 years of experience consulting to utilities and municipal government in the areas of stakeholder facilitation, community engagement, and planning. Her keen insights from years of policy work for regional and local agencies are valued by clients in advancing viable, multi-benefit solutions. In Joan’s current position as Principal and Senior Facilitator at Kearns & West, her projects span energy, water, and community planning typically at the intersection of climate resiliency, health, and equity.
