third qtr 2016 news
TRANSCRIPT
WiNUP Ne ws le t t e r Commi t t ee : Rox ey F i she r a nd Te resa H yers
Empowering Times
Inside this issue:
Important Dates, WiNUP Virginia Chapter Officers, Committees &
2
WiNUP International Officers, Member Bio and Member Testimonial
3
WiNUP Fellowships & Scholarship & International Committees
4
SAVE THE DATE! - AUG. 4, 2016
Speaker’s Bio and Presentation
5
6-9
Membership Meeting Minutes, Treasurer’s Report
10-13
STEM News
AEP’s Educational Outreach Program
14-15
16
News You Can Use
Professional Development
17-18
19
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 22
SAVE THE DATE! - OCT. 10-12, 2016
20-21
WiNUP EMPOWERING WOMEN SINCE 1923 SECOND QUARTER NEWSLETTER— JUNE 2016
WiNUP Mission Statement:
T h e W o m e n ’ s I n t e r n a t i o n a l
N e t w o r k o f U t i l i t y P r o f e s -
s i o n a l s i s a n o r g a n i z a t i o n
p r o v i d i n g a l i n k f o r d e v e l -
o p i n g a n d r e c o g n i z i n g p r o -
f e s s i o n a l s i n v o l v e d w i t h
u t i l i t y b u s i n e s s t r e n d s , i s -
s u e s , p r o d u c t s a n d s e r v i c e s .
Objec�ves:
N e t w o r k a n d m e n t o r i n g
a m o n g m e m b e r s
R e c o g n i t i o n a n d v i s i b i l -
i t y f o r m e m b e r s a n d
b u s i n e s s p a r t n e r s
O p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r p r o f e s -
s i o n a l d e v e l o p m e n t o f m e m b e r s
W i N U P i s a p r o f e s s i o n a l
o r g a n i z a t i o n c o m m i t t e d t o
f o s t e r i n g a n i n c l u s i v e b u s i -
n e s s e n v i r o n m e n t f o r m e m -
b e r s a n d g u e s t s . O u r m i s s i o n
d o e s n o t s u p p o r t a n y p a r t i c -
u l a r p o l i t i c a l o r r e l i g i o u s
v i e w a n d w e r e f r a i n f r o m
a c t i o n s t h a t c r e a t e a n o n -
i n c l u s i v e e n v i r o n m e n t .
Women’s Internat ional Network of Util ity Professionals - Virginia Chapter (Chartered 2003) Geographical Territory: Southwest and Central Virginia 2016 Program Plan: Mentoring, STEM and Professional Development
Dear Chapter Members,
It’s hard to believe that we’re already
half way through the 2016 year! But
what an impressive six months we’ve
had as a WiNUP Chapter.
Without a doubt, we’ve proven to be a
small but mighty chapter. We are cur-
rently at 23 members but if we con+nue
to offer strong programs and share our
WiNUP experiences with others I truly
believe the WiNUP Virginia Chapter will
grow in numbers in the months and
years ahead.
We’ve enjoyed two great professional
development mee+ngs this year. The
first with APCo’s John Smolak and the
second with Jennifer Wishon Gilbert
were informa+ve presenta+ons.
I thought Jennifer’s talk was also inspir-
ing! I know Dane6e Scudder’s presenta-
+on in August will be equally strong and
informa+ve! Like Jennifer, Dane6e has a
busy schedule and we are truly blessed
to have her join us!
Plans are in the works to travel to Appa-
lachian Power’s Wytheville, Va. office to
meet with several ladies to talk about
our chapter’s professional development
focus. More informa+on will be shared
soon. Please be on the lookout for an
email and calendar invita+on. We can’t
grow in numbers if we don’t reach out
and share our story!
I’m extremely proud of our chapter’s deci-
sion to donate $500 to the AEP Emergency
Disaster Relief Fund of The Salva+on Army
to assist families affected by the devasta+ng
floods that swept through West Virginia in
late June. Employee contribu+ons to the
fund will be matched up to $50,000 by the
American Electric Power Founda+on. Be-
cause most of WiNUP’s members are AEP
employees and we’ve been told our dona-
+on will likely be matched by the founda-
+on.
So far, 2016 has been a great year for us,
ladies! I am eager to see and enjoy what the
next few months have in store for us. I have
a feeling there are even more blessings
ahead for our chapter.
Teresa Hamilton Hall 2016 WiNUP Virginia Chapter Chair
August 4 - Professional Development Luncheon - Hidden Valley Country Club, 2500 Romar Drive, Salem,
VA (11:30 AM to 1:30 PM) Speaker: Dane6e Scudder, Tennessee Valley Public Power Associa+on (TVPPA)
vice president and this year’s Interna+onal WiNUP President. Presenta�on Topic: “Genera+onal Differ-
ences” — mee+ng is sponsored by Joe Jones, Appalachian Power External Affairs Director — Charitable
dona+ons for the Back to School Blast (Rescue Mission) — Deadline to register: July 28th
August 15th - Chapter Achievement Awards & Newsle2er Awards applica�ons due
October 21 - Slip Simulator and Tour of Pulaski Training Center, 4600 Newbern Road, Pulaski, VA
(10:00 AM to 1:30 PM) - mee+ng hosted by Mike Wilson, Appalachian Power Distribu+on Manager, and
sponsored by Todd Burns, AEP Transmission Si+ng, Outreach and Right of Way Director. More informa+on
to follow as the luncheon date nears.
WiNUP Virginia Chapter — Important Dates
2016 WiNUP Virginia Chapter Membership - 23
2016 WiNUP Virginia Chapter Committees Members
Fundraising – Charity Kreher
Hospitality – Barbara Carter & Patsy Fout
Membership - Janet Craighead & Elizabeth Testerman
Newsle2er – Roxey Fisher & Teresa Hyers
Community Service – April Connel & Elizabeth Testerman
Outreach (Get Well & Thank You Cards) – Roxey Fisher
Mentoring – Elizabeth Testerman, April Connel & Doni Palmer
Award Compe��on, documenta�on for Oak Award, etc. – Jackie Stern & Carolyn Gordon
Program Mee�ngs & Arrangements – Teresa Hamilton Hall & Janet Holdren
Empowering Times
WiNUP Virginia Chapter Officers: l Officers:
Chair
Teresa Hamilton Hall
540-266-8580
Vice Chair
April Connel
540-581-4189
Treasurer
Teresa Hyers
540-204-2423
Secretary
Roxey Fisher
540-204-3488
Board Rep
Doni Palmer
540-985-2627
Page 2
Mary Bible [email protected]
Barbara Carter [email protected]
Charity Kreher [email protected]
Cathy Clingenpeel [email protected]
April Connel [email protected]
Cameron Corbin [email protected]
Janet Craighead [email protected]
Roxey Fisher [email protected]
Patsy Fout [email protected]
Carolyn Gordon [email protected]
Teresa Hall [email protected]
Janet Holdren [email protected]
Sherry Hoopes [email protected]
Mary Ann Huddleston [email protected]
Teresa Hyers [email protected]
Ragena Jordon [email protected]
Doni Palmer [email protected]
Caroline Mann [email protected]
Helen Riggins [email protected]
Teresa Rogers [email protected]
Tammy Spradlin [email protected]
Jackie Stern [email protected]
Elizabeth Testerman [email protected]
Our Vision is to provide leadership,
inspira+on and give opportunity to share
our talents through service to others.
Our goal is to offer mentoring for life-
changing, unbiased possibili+es to en-
hance ever-changing careers and individ-
ual growth
We would like to create meaning-ful partnerships with non-profit organi-
za+ons in our region.
Our target group of women and girls are in:
∗ the workplace
∗ similar organiza+ons
∗ other WiNUP Chapters
∗ the elementary grades
Above all, our efforts will inspire a
sense of adventure and bring joy in all that we do!
Cameron Corbin is a Project Coordinator at
American Electric Power in Roanoke, VA.
She began her career with AEP in May
2015. Cameron joined the Virginia WINUP
Chapter in 2016.
Cameron was born in South
Boston, VA and is a graduate of Radford
University with a degree in Business Admin-
istra+on and focus in Management. She
moved to Roanoke, VA to help take care of her Grandmother in 2005. She started
working at Advance Auto Parts in Roanoke where she learned mul+ple areas of busi-
ness opera+ons. Over her ten year tenure, she held several roles from the originator
startup of a Corporate Purchase Card Program to Team Lead of Market Availability.
Cameron is an advocate for Star City Greyhounds. She first became acquainted with
greyhounds while living in Blacksburg. Every evening she would set out to run on the
Huckleberry Trail just to bump into this older gentleman and his beloved greyhound.
Cameron was very intrigued and so fascinated with greys that she decided to adopt
her first greyhound, Hightop, in 2003. In the greyhound community they say
“greyhounds are a lot like potato chips, you can’t have just one”. So a year later she
adopted Mohican, a beau+ful brindle girl. Currently, she has two male greyhounds
Peyton and Romeo that allow her to woo (Greyhound chant) with them if the +ming
is right.
Cameron has a passion for exercise. Growing up she competed in tennis, dance com-
pe++ons, and soQball. She always enjoys a challenge and pushing her limits. She
loves liQing weights, riding her bike, kayaking, yoga, and running. With that, she fo-
cuses a lot on nutri+on. She has Celiac and intolerance to dairy which makes dining
out difficult. Inven+ng new and tasty snacks are always a fun weekend ritual. She
enjoys suppor+ng local farmers and making nutri+ous meals for friends and family.
WiNUP Virginia Chapter Member Bio — Cameron Corbin
Page 3 Empowering Times
WiNUP International
Officers:
President & CEO
Danette Scudder -
East Tennessee Chapter
Vice Chair/President-Elect
DeCoffette Ward
West Virginia Chapter
Immediate Past President,
Carolyn Gordon
Virginia Chapter
Treasurer, Kay Bostick
Ohio Chapter
Secretary, Holly Huffman
Indiana Chapter
Executive Director
Claudia Powell
WiNUP Virginia Chapter Member Testimonial — Teresa Hyers
I have been a member of the Virginia Chapter of WiNUP for three years. I have en-
joyed the opportunity to meet new people and network with other professionals. The
quarterly mee+ngs have been informa+ve and a great learning experience. I am im-
pressed with the community involvement we have at each mee+ng by collec+ng items
for local chari+es. WiNUP has also allowed me to come out of my “comfort zone” and
have new opportuni+es as an officer within our VA Chapter (Secretary 2015 and
Treasurer 2016). I look forward a6ending my first Interna+onal
Conference this year in Nashville.
Interna�onal membership annual fee is $22 plus $20 for Virginia Chapter annual
membership fee and $6 for a one-�me new membership fee. Student Members
saves $44 annually! WiNUP Annual Membership Dues can be paid on-line by vis-
i�ng the following link: h-p://www.winup.org/#!join-us/c14
WiNUP Virginia Chapter Member Membership Fee - Students
Get Well Card went out to Sherry Hoopes
WiNUP believes in doing all it can to help those within the in-
dustry with their educa�onal pursuits. WiNUP offers three fel-
lowships annually to females pursuing post graduate degrees,
which will lead to careers in the u�lity industry or allied fields.
The Julia Kiene Fellowship in Electrical Energy is a grant of
$2,000 annually. This fellowship was named for a past president
of the organiza�on. During her long, diversified career, Ms.
Kiene served as Home Editor of Capper's Farmer and re�red
from the Wes�nghouse Corpora�on. Ms. Kiene served on the
Board of Directors for the parent organiza�on, The Electrical
Women's Round Table, Inc., for many years.
The Lyle Mamer Fellowship is a grant of $1,000 annually. It is
named for Lyle Mamer who served as an Associate Professor at
the University of Tennessee College of Home Economics for 35
years. She was an ac�ve member of several professional organi-
za�ons, including WiNUP. She will long be remembered for her
strong dedica�on and worthy contribu�ons to the electrical in-
dustry.
The Louisan Mamer Fellowship is a grant of $500 annually. Ms.
Louisan Mamer joined WiNUP in 1948 and remained a member
un�l her death in 2006. She earned her degree in Home Econom-
ics from the University of Illinois .Worked for many years with
the Rural Electrifica�on Administra�on (REA). Ms. Mamer was
the first woman to be awarded the Clyde T. Ellis Award in recog-
ni�on of her service and accomplishments on behalf of electrical
coopera�ves. Her generous $20,000 contribu�on to WiNUP
enables the organiza�on to fund the annual fellowship in her
name.
Congratula�ons to all of the following winners of the 2016
Interna�onal Fellowships:
• Julia Kiene - $2,000 – YaVonda Ulfig is pursuing her Doc-torate in Business Administration at Walden University, head-quartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. YaVonda is a member of the WiNUP Ohio chapter and is employed by American Electric Power.
• Lyle Mamer - $1,000 – Kayla DeVault will be pursuing a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Arizona State University.
• Louisan Mamer - $500 – Amanda Cahill is working on her MBA at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. Amanda is also employed by American Electric Power. Note: The Member Professional Development Scholarship was not awarded, since the only member who applied will be receiving the Julia Kiene Fellowship.
Page 4
Empowering Times
2016 International Committee Chairs: Budget & Finance – Janet Hewi6 - WV
Chapter Development and Reten�on – Janet Rehberg – OH
Energy Affairs – Ruby Greenhowe – WV
Fellowship – Lynn Adamson – No. IN
Guidelines – Kristen Thompson – OH
Historian – Trena Riffle – WV
Interna�onal Conference – Debbie Sain – TN
Interna�onal Honorary Life Award – Lila Munsey – OH
Member Publica�ons – Debbie Sain – TN
Mentoring—VACANT
New Member Development – Helen Burnley – Mid-Atlan+c
Nomina�ng – Vikki Michalski – OH
OAK Award – Velda Otey – OH
Parlimentarian – Dorothy Soler – IN
Past Presidents Council – Carolyn Gordon – VA
Past Presidents Grant – Carolyn Gordon – VA
POWER Award – Janet Hewi6 – WV
Professional Protocol— VACANT
Public Rela�ons – Emily Schilling – IN
Fellowships & Scholarships
WiNUP Virginia Chapter Conference Grant ($1,000) is available
to any VA Chapter of WiNUP member and they do not have to
work for American Electric Power (AEP) to receive the grant.
WiNUP Virginia Chapter Scholarships—There are four (4) schol-
arships available to AEP employees. The recipient must be a
member of the WiNUP Virginia Chapter or the WiNUP South-
west Virginia/Northeast Tennessee Chapter. The WiNUP VA
Chapter Treasurer will pay the four (4) conference registra�ons
on-line @ winup.org aDer they have been awarded.
The Interna�onal Conference in Nashville is just a few months
away! Conference is scheduled for October 10-12 and it
offers a great learning and networking opportunity, especially
for newer employees and chapter members. Hope you will
consider applying!
Mark Dempsey, Appalachian Power Company’s vice president
of external affairs donated $1,420 to the interna�onal confer-
ence scholarships this year. Thanks Mark! The WiNUP VA
Chapter appreciates your contribu�on to the scholarship fund
this year and for all your support of our organiza�on!
The WiNUP VA Chapter grant/scholarship applica�ons were
due to Teresa Hamilton Hall ([email protected]) by 5 p.m. on
Friday, July 8th to be reviewed by the WiNUP Conference
Grant Commi2ee and winners will be announced on Friday,
July 15th.
2016 WiNUP Interna�onal Past Presidents’ Grant
of $600 was awarded to Karen Shugart of the Ohio
Chapter to a6end the 2016 Interna+onal WiNUP
Conference in Nashville on October 10-12.
Congratula�ons Karen!
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LUNCHEON
Date: Thursday, August 4, 2016
Time: 11:30am–1:30pm
Loca+on: Hidden Valley Country Club
2500 Romar Rd.
Salem, VA 24153
Price: $10 per-person for lunch - Payment due no later than July 28th (see below for registra+on & mailing instruc+ons)
Make plans to a6end the Virginia WiNUP Chapter’s upcoming professional development luncheon with guest speaker Dane6e Scudder,
Tennessee Valley Public Power Associa+on (TVPPA) vice president, and this year’s WiNUP president.
Dane6e’s presenta+on will center on communica+on. With mul+ple genera+ons of employees come
mul+ple sets of aStudes and expecta+ons. Learn about the values and characteris+cs of Tradi+onals,
Baby Boomers, Genera+on X and Millennials (and a preview of Genera+on Z), how to meet employee
expecta+ons, manage them effec+vely, and foster a workplace culture where all genera+ons can con-
tribute to their full poten+al by building on shared values and capitalizing on genera+onal strengths.
The mee+ng is open to all. You do not need to be a member of the Virginia WiNUP Chapter to a6end.
Lunch is a buffet style taco bar that includes ground beef, grilled chicken, flour or corn tor+llas, rice and
beans, sour cream, salsa, le6uce, shredded cheese, various sauces and assorted salad dressings, plus
dessert.
Please make your check payable to the WiNUP Virginia Chapter. To register, complete the form be-
low and mail it with your check to the following: American Electric Power, A-en�on: Teresa Hyers,
JWVC, PO Box 2021, Roanoke, VA 24022-2121.
Dane6e joined WiNUP and the East Tennessee Chapter in 2007. She is the 2011 recipient of WiNUP’s
Power Award, which recognizes the contribu+ons of up-and-coming members.
Dane6e has served WiNUP as interna+onal vice president, secretary, member of the interna+onal board, and as chair of the Energy
Affairs and Power Award commi6ees. She also has been a member of numerous other interna+onal commi6ees including Officer Eligi-
bility and Criteria Review, WiNUP Awards Eligibility Review commi6ees, and various award selec+on commi6ees. She also is engaged at
the chapter level and has served as chapter chair, vice chair and secretary.
Dane6e chairs the American Public Power Associa+on (APPA) Mutual Aid Working Group and is a master scoring judge for the APPA
Lineworker Rodeo. She also has served on the APPA RP3 Review Panel. She is the 2012 recipient of the APPA Robert E. Roundtree Rising
Star Award.
She joined TVPPA in 2001 and worked nine years in the Educa+on & Training Department at the associa+on before assuming the role of
member services manager for five years. She was appointed vice president of the associa+on in May 2015. Prior to joining TVPPA,
Dane6e worked in industry, staffing and university administra+on.
Dane6e received her bachelor’s degree in poli+cal science from the University of Evansville in Indiana and her master’s degree in public
administra+on from Texas Tech University. She lives in Harrison, Tennessee, with her husband and son.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Empowering Times SAVE THE DATE!
Page 5
Page 6 Empowering Times
Speaker’s Bio — Jennifer Wishon-Gilbert
Jennifer grew up in Bedford County,
VA. She played a lot of sports and
entered in high school pageants.
She was also involved in her high
school’s honor society. Jennifer is a
VA Tech graduate and from the age
of 12 said she knew she wanted to
be a reporter. If her name sounds
familiar, it may be a result of her
professional +es to the Roanoke
region. She worked several jobs
(associate producer, weekend re-
porter and Richmond Bureau Chief/
Capitol Correspondent for WDBJ-7
Television) from December 2001
un+l November 2008. In December
2008 she became a Washington Cor-
respondent for CBN News.
Jennifer is happily married to Todd
Gilbert, a member of the Virginia
House of Delegates.
Empowering Times
Loca�on: Hidden Valley Country Club Ballroom
Agenda: 11:30 AM - Welcome & Member and Guest Introduc�ons, Blessing & Luncheon Buffet
12:00 PM - Introduc�on of Guest Speaker, Jennifer Wishon Gilbert, White House Correspondent, CBN News
1:30 PM - Conclusion of Mentoring Presenta�on
Members in a2endance: Teresa Hamilton Hall (Chair), April Connel (Vice Chair), Doni Palmer (Interna+onal WiNUP Board Representa-
+ve), Jackie Stern (Past Chair), Teresa Hyers (Treasurer), Roxey Fisher (Secretary), Elizabeth Testerman, Barbara Carter, Patsy Fout,
Carolyn Gordon, Janet Craighead, Charity Kreher, Tammy Spradlin, Janet Holdren and Cathy Clingenpeel (Chapter members).
Guests in a2endance: Amber Kane, Corinna Dunn, Susan Hudson, Kay Bos+ck, Sandy Workman, Dr. Jackie S. Taylor, Trena Riffle, Glo-
ria Moyer, Amy Rasnake, Robbie Pierce, Amanda Campbell, Caroline Mann, Lacey Loope, Blair Burns, Mary Ann Brenchick, Michael
Mercier, Wayne Hurt, David Kessler, Joe Jones, John Smolak, Phillip Moye, Jeri Matheny, Gina Mazzei-Smith, David Nance, Kaye Mitch-
ell, Awana Patrick and Jennifer Wishon-Gilbert.
Total in a2endance: 42
Teresa Hamilton Hall welcomed everyone to the Annual Bosses’ Luncheon and thanked Appalachian Power and John Smolak, econom-
ic and business development director, for their sponsorship and con+nued support. The annual mee+ng gives members’ bosses a first-
hand look at the many ways WiNUP provides rewarding opportuni+es for the group. This year, mentoring was iden+fied as an area of
focus for the Virginia Chapter. Teresa noted that that mentoring has played an important role in her career and she encouraged the
chapter members to focus on mentoring others and to par+cipate in STEM partnerships.
WiNUP provides its members opportuni+es to learn and network and at the same +me, WiNUP empowers and supports each mem-
ber. Teresa noted that several a6endees traveled a great distance to a6end the luncheon. She asked that everyone introduce them-
selves and their supervisor.
Teresa has witnessed first-hand the posi+ve outcome that mentoring can have especially in the work force. It is her hope that anyone
who hasn’t experienced mentoring would leave the program with a desire to mentor others or to seek out a professional mentor of
their own. Throughout the years Teresa has had many mentors and noted that no one is too old to have a mentor. Gina Mazzei-Smith,
an Appalachian Power Company a6orney and WiNUP member, traveled from Columbus to a6end the program and to be there as
Teresa’s friend and mentor. Teresa thanked Gina for building her confidence, giving her advice at all hours of the day or night, and for
liQing her spirits when she needed it most. What Gina and others did for Teresa, she tries to do for Jennifer.
Jennifer Wishon Gilbert grew up in Bedford County, VA and graduated from Virginia Tech. FiQeen years ago, Jennifer began her first
professional job in Roanoke at WDBJ-7 as an associate producer and teleprompter operator; however, that soon changed because
Teresa and other WDBJ employees saw Jennifer’s incredible poten+al. Teresa is so proud of everything that Jennifer has accom-
plished over the last 15 years and was very happy to introduce her as our program presenter.
Jennifer began her presenta+on by saying that everything that Teresa said was true but she just wished Teresa hadn’t emphasized the
15 years! She owes a great amount of her success and her accelerated career to all the +me and effort that Teresa and others gave to
her as mentors. She will always be grateful to Teresa for the mentoring she provided.
Jennifer showed photos of her interviews and mee+ngs with President Obama, other famous personali+es and newsmakers of the last
decade and present day. Normally her work day begins in the White House press briefing room or she spends a lot of +me behind the
briefing room in the “closet space” allo6ed to journalists. Jennifer said CBN’s closet space barely accommodates two people but they
are grateful for this valuable space to do their work.
One of the perks of working for CBN, which a lot of the other networks don’t offer, is that Jennifer has been given many opportuni+es
to leave the beltway and travel all over the world covering issues such as an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, an immigra+on issues in
Guatemala, a religious liberty uprising in Belarus (former Soviet country ruled by one of the last European dictatorships and the last
remaining KGB outpost). It was very interes+ng to view the progression of Jennifer’s repor+ng style by watching those interviews.
Jennifer reviewed her +me while working at WDBJ-7 in Roanoke. She could go to Teresa without any fear of being judged and said that
this so important for women in the workplace. Teresa would help her with her wri+ng skills and would go with her into the voice-over
booth to help her develop a broadcast voice as her original voice was pitched a li6le too high. Teresa talked her through interviews
April 14, 2016 Bosses Luncheon
Page 7
and helped her +ghten her focus so that her stories became a lot harder and not so fluffy. Under Teresa’s guidance, Jennifer
improved and within a year’s +me she was no longer “teleprompter babe” behind the cameras, but was finally able to report
news in front of the cameras. She reported the news and even spent a li6le +me interviewing then Appalachian Power Compa-
ny’s Communica+ons Consultant Sr., Todd Burns. Video clips were shown with Teresa introducing her and her many interviews
with Todd Burns on storm restora+ons and at the annual AEP Fes+val Runs.
AQer many applica+ons for every open posi+on at WDBJ, three years later she was finally given the opportunity work at WDBJ’s
Richmond sta+on as its bureau chief and capitol correspondent. This posi+on allowed Jennifer to cover state government and
poli+cs full-+me and she gained a lot of experience during those years at the capitol. The +me she spent working in Richmond
was a life-changing event and would be explained at the end of her presenta+on.
At the beginning of her career, she believed that asking for help was a sign of weakness on her part. She also believed at that
+me she had to know how to do it all. She commented, “Very few women will ask for someone to mentor them. If you think
about all of the scary things that each of you have been through, namely job interviews and having to ask for a raise — and I see
a lot of you nodding your heads — then wouldn’t it have been so wonderful to have someone to walk you through those situa-
+ons, tell you what to expect and let you know that failure or being told NO is not the end of the world? I’m thankful that I did-
n’t get all the jobs that I applied for because I got the job that I was supposed to have.”
Jennifer reported that a recent LinkedIn survey found only 1 in 5 women had ever had a mentor in their workplace. Men on the
other hand have a much easier +me finding mentors in the workplace. Men with mentors are more oQen to get sponsored by
their mentors and their mentor ac+vely campaigns for them to advance within the company. “You work in an industry that is
dominated by men and I know that everyone here has worked hard to get someplace in their company and it was not always
easy. It might have been easy for them to say, why do I want to give away all of the things that I have learned in my life and on
my career path to someone who is younger and who may poten+ally come in and do it be6er? That kind of fear is understand-
able but mentoring does not have to be threatening, instead its something you can be proud of because you are contribu+ng to
the further advancement of someone‘s life and career,” said Jennifer.
Mentoring can take place in a phone, a chat in a hallway, or an email. “Some+mes I know how poor I am performing at work
by how poorly the other women in the room are trea+ng me. Some+mes we are really good at tearing each other down and
not so good at suppor+ng each other.” Jennifer challenged everyone in the room to support each other and to become a men-
tor and/or a mentee. “It is a great privilege to mentor students and junior reporters,” said Jennifer and over the past years, she
has mentored a young woman from UVA who she took with her on a tour of Washington and the White House and another
young woman from Northern VA Community College who wants to be a publicist. She mentored a young man who is a White
House TV producer and she is helping him to transi+on to a TV reporter.
The ques+on that she gets most oQen is, “What is the best interview you ever had?” Jennifer said she always responds that it
happened ten years ago when she was the capitol correspondent for WDBJ. She always covered the General Assembly whenev-
er it was in session. On one par+cular day a delegate’s hand gun accidentally discharged while he was cleaning it in his capitol
office. At that point in +me another delegate, Todd Gilbert, who was new to capitol hill, was sponsoring a bill to allow college
students to carry weapons on campus.
Jennifer arranged to meet the young delegate Gilbert to interview him. As he walked towards her and the camera man, she said
a voice came into her head telling her “You’re going to marry him.” She immediately responded to the voice and said, “But God
my future husband has hair!” Two weeks aQer the interview, Todd Gilbert emailed her asking for her personal email address.
That was in 2006 and it kicked off their first date which was a walk through capitol square. Friendship and romance blossomed
and six and half weeks later on the capitol steps where they had first met, he proposed. She reminded everyone that she was
going to tell us how she had a date with des+ny when she became the capitol correspondent for WDBJ-7 and this was her date
with des+ny.
She gave Teresa a li6le credit for her marriage because if Teresa hadn’t mentored her and helped her excel in her career she
would never have met her husband and been able to do all the things she does now as a capitol correspondent.
Page 8 Empowering Times
April 14, 2016 Bosses Luncheon - Continued
Page 9
Empowering Times
April 14, 2016 — Membership Meeting — Hidden Valley Country Club
Page 10 Empowering Times
Members in a6endance were Teresa Hamilton Hall (Chair), Jackie Stern (Past Chair), Teresa Hyers
(Treasurer), Roxey Fisher (Secretary), April Connel (Vice Chair) Doni Palmer (WiNUP Interna+onal Board Repre-
senta+ve) Barbara Carter and Janet Craighead (Chapter Members).
The second business mee+ng of the WiNUP VA Chapter was called to order at 1:55 PM by the Chair and she
noted that there was not a quorum of members present. A quorum email will need to be sent out by the Chair
asking Chapter members to formally approve any purchases and expenditures.
OLD BUSINESS:
On March 10th
, the Chair sent out a quorum email to formally have approval for purchases and expenditures
as follows: $25 giQ card for use in a silent auc+on to benefit the ROTEC program; a second expenditure in the
amount of $60 to purchase bus passes to support the Turning Point program, a Virginia WiNUP 2016 service
project ; and purchase of a $50 giQ card to present to Jennifer Wish on-Gilbert for speaking at our April 14
event as we will not be paying a speaking fee to Jennifer for her presenta+on. Elizabeth Testerman made a mo-
+on to approve these purchases and expenditures as presented and Jackie Stern seconded the mo+on.
Jackie Stern made a mo+on to approve the minutes of the business mee+ng held on 2/15/16 at the VA811
Headquarters as presented and Doni Palmer seconded the mo+on. Barbara Carter made a mo+on to approve
the 3/31/16 Treasurer’s Report as presented and April Connel seconded the mo+on.
Chair thanked John Smolak for sponsoring the Bosses’ Luncheon at the Hidden Valley Country Club and for
his con+nued support of our WiNUP VA Chapter.
Interna�onal Power Award, Interna�onal WiNUP Fellowships & Scholarship – May 1st
was the deadline for
2016 Power Award (this year’s VA Chapter applicant is April Connel), The Julia Kiene Fellowship $2000, Lyle
Mamer Fellowship $1000, and the Louisan Mamer Fellowship $500 and the WiNUP Member Professional De-
velopment Scholarship applica+on $500. Recipients of the awards will be announced in June. Also, eight
award recipients will receive conference registra+ons ($395 each) to a6end the 2016 Interna+onal WiNUP con-
ference in Nashville, TN courtesy of Interna+onal WiNUP.
Past President’s Grant $600 - Applica+ons for the PPC grant are due June 15th
and are to be emailed to
Carolyn Gordon ([email protected]) and Claudia Powell ([email protected]).
WiNUP VA Chapter Conference Grant/Scholarship $1000 – This year the commi6ee voted to award this
grant to any qualified member of the WiNUP VA Chapter. Recipient doesn’t have to work for AEP to receive
grant but they must meet other established criteria. Recipient (re+rees excluded) must provide a signed state-
ment from their manage/supervisor indica+ng the grant funds awarded will be used to cover the registra+on,
hotel or travel-related costs, etc. to a6end the interna+onal conference. Chair will email the Chapter members
the guidelines and applica+on to be submi6ed no later than 5 p.m. on July 8th
WiNUP VA Chapter Scholarships — Mark Dempsey donated money for four conference registra+ons and
each scholarship will cover the registra+on fee of $395. Recipient must be an AEP employee and member of
the WiNUP VA Chapter or the Southwest Virginia/Northeast Tennessee Chapter. Chair will send the applica+on
and guidelines to the Chapter members to submit their applica+on no later than 5 p.m. on July 8th
4/14/16 Membership Meeting Minutes
NEW BUSINESS: April 14th Mee�ng Charitable Organiza�on – Chair will send out a quorum email to all Chapter members ask-
ing for their mo+on and second to donate $50 from Chapter funds to the Ronald McDonald House. The dona+ons col-
lected at the mee+ng will be taken to the Ronald McDonald House by Roxey Fisher and Teresa Hyers aQer they have pur-
chased addi+onal items and purchased the movie passes.
August 4th Mee�ng Guest Speaker - Chair will send out a quorum email to all Chapter members asking for their
mo+on and second to purchase a $100 giQ card for Dane6e Scudder to cover mileage and up to $175 to cover a one night
stay, dinner and breakfast at the Cambri in Roanoke. Note: There was no speaker’s fee a6ached to this presenta+on.
August 4th mee�ng Charitable Organiza�on - Chair will send out a quorum email to all Chapter members ask-
ing for their mo+on and second to donate $50 to the Rescue Mission from Chapter funds.
Sponsorship of the 2016 Interna�onal Conference – Chair will send out a quorum email to all Chapter mem-
bers asking for their mo+on and second to donate $250 of Chapter funds to the Interna+onal Conference Sponsorship.
Our Chapter name is to be publicized at the event Charity Kreher will prepare a VA basket for the Conference in Nash-
ville with dona+ons provided by other Chapter members.
Invita�ons re August 4th Mee�ng – Chair will send out invita+ons and registra+on forms to Chapter members.
Fundraising re August 4th
Mee�ng - Two baskets will be raffled off at the August 4th mee+ng. Jackie Stern will
provide a basket from the VA 811 and Charity Kreher (with assistance from Barbara Carter and Jackie Stern) will prepare
the second basket.
Thank you emails re April 14th Mee�ng –Thank You emails will be draQed by Janet Craighead and sent out to
the April 14th
mee+ng guests and bosses. Janet will be provided with the mee+ng roster.
October 21st
Mee�ng (Appalachian Power Company - Pulaski Service Center) – Mike Wilson will host the
mee+ng. A catered lunch will be sponsored by Todd Burns. Mee+ng to include a Slips, Trips and Falls demonstra+on, a
guided tour of the new training facility and a guest speaker is planned for the a6endees. Chair will send an email invita-
+on to the Chapter members and other invited guests (Tracy Her+g, Mary Begley, etc.).
WiNUP VA Chapter and SW VA/TN Chapter Joint Mee�ng – Chair will to arrange the first joint mee+ng at
Appalachian Power’s Wytheville Service Center between WiNUP VA Chapter officers and members of the SW VA/TN
Chapter members. Date and +me will be forthcoming in an email invita+on. Mike Wilson, distribu+on system manager,
Glenn Edwards, distribu+on systems supervisor, and Dave Andrews, dist resource support supervisor, support WiNUP and
this joint mee+ng. WiNUP VA Chapter will cover the costs of the luncheon courtesy of Appalachian Power Company.
Women in Stem at VA Western Community College - April Connell and Elizabeth Testerman will a6end the
STEM gradua+on ceremony to be held at the Fralin Center on April 19th.
Workshops – It was suggested that John Smolak could present a class related to customer service and maybe some-
one could conduct a workshop on social media pages. Doni Palmer men+oned having a Na+onal Women’s History Day
during the month of March next year.
Empowering Times Page 11
4/14/2016 Membership Meeting Minutes — Continued
4/14/2016 Membership Meeting Minutes — Continued
Empowering Times
Social Media Pages – Chair had asked Chapter members who are on a LinkedIn to note their affilia+on with the
VA Chapter of WiNUP. It was thought that this would be good publicity of the Chapter. At the next business mee+ng,
the Chair will ask if anyone is interested in crea+ng a Social Media commi6ee. Holly Huffman and Debbie Sain would
be very helpful and could provide knowledge and informa+on.
Interna�onal WiNUP website - Interna+onal WiNUP website has the capability of pos+ng Chapter informa+on
and also photos of Chapter officers. Currently, informa+on listed is the charter date, the number of members (which
needs to be changed to 23), geographical territory, Companies/Industries represented, Program Plan and Officers
names/+tles. Chair noted that she had sent the current newsle6er to be posted on the website.
New Member Welcome Le2er – Chair will prepare a form le6er to be sent to new members who join the Chapter.
Thank you Le2ers - – Chair will prepare Thank You form le6er to be sent to sponsors of the VA Chapter (i.e., John
Smolak, Mark Dempsey, Joe Jones, Todd Burns, etc.).
Next luncheon mee+ng will be held on August 4th at Hidden Valley Country Club sponsored by Joe Jones. Mee+ng
adjourned at 2:40 pm.
Respec+vely submi6ed,
Roxey Fisher
Secretary of the WiNUP VA Chapter
Page 12
Empowering Times
Treasurer’s Report as of 06/30/16
Page 13
Summary of Fund Raiser
Q1
Q2 $400.00
Q3
Q4
$400.00
Empowering Times
STEM News — Women in Stem Mentoring Reception
On April 19th, Virginia Western Community College held its first Women in Stem Mentoring Reception. April Con-nel and Elizabeth Testerman, WiNUP VA Chapter members, attended the event as Stem Mentors.
Like our Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/vwccwomeninstem/
Mentors, mentees, significant people in the mentoring process and the mentees’ close family or friends were invited to the reception to celebrate the first year of the Women in STEM program. Several business support-ers and VWCC faculty and staff were at the event as well. Several took the microphone to share special mo-ments and express how the program has brought to enrichment to their lives.
Page 14
Empowering Times STEM News — Women in STEM Club Speaker Series — April 25, 2016
Wri2en by: Roxey A Fisher, VA Chapter member
The Women in STEM Club Speaker Series mee+ngs are video-taped and can be viewed at the following web address:
h6ps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWgx8X9YGAs
Ms. Sandra Workman said, “The presenters were amazing and their career advice so strong!” and “all of them contributed so
much valuable informa+on for our students to think about and absorb!” She thanked Marie Bliss, Jennifer Owen O’Quill,
Jennifer Havens and Doni Palmer for a6ending the workshop.
Doni Palmer, Interna+onal WiNUP Board Representa+ve and WiNUP VA Chapter member, spoke to the a6endees at the work-
shop and gave them a brief outline of her family, educa+on, and work experience. She commented on her mentor rela+onship
and how that rela+onship benefited her career path aQer she and her husband were terminated at AEP Indiana Michigan Pow-
er Company on the same day, January 2, 2013. Her mentor, a WiNUP Chapter member at Indiana Michigan Power assisted her
in finding a job in Roanoke, Virginia.
It was at a WiNUP sponsored Lunch-N-Learn that Doni a6ended where she learned about “Servant Leadership” and decided to
ask the presenter if she would be her mentor. AQer the reposi+oning effort, Doni was interviewing extensively for other AEP
posi+ons and kept her mentor abreast of her preferences on loca+on and career field. Doni expressed her desire to join the
company’s Transmission Project Management Group in Roanoke. AQer the offer was made for the project coordinator posi-
+on that Doni wanted, she discovered that her mentor had placed a call to the hiring managers as an endorsement of her skills
and experience.
Doni took the exam prepara+on course at Virginia Western and is currently gathering the required 7,500 contact hours re-
quired for her PMP cer+fica+on. Doni’s current posi+on is with Appalachian Power Company as a Lean Sustainability Lead of
the Virginia and Tennessee districts under the Business Opera+ons Support group. Her current posi+on is temporary and she
knows that the experience and skills she is learning will only enhance her next career move, hopefully s+ll in Roanoke. Doni
spoke of how she, personally, doesn’t have her own business cards and instead prefers to u+lize the social networking site—
LinkedIn. She stressed that LinkedIn is ‘Facebook for your career” and with the younger genera+on coming into to the work-
force, it is important to have a professional presence on that website to improve your skillset and network with other profes-
sionals in the business sector.
Page 15
Empowering Times
AEP’s Educational Outreach Program
AEPNOW—Wri2en by: George A. Porter, Transmission Project Si�ng
Nigel Millner endured a lot to get where he is today. Back when he was enrolled in
Danville Community College (DCC) in Virginia, a normal day consisted of a 12-hour
work shiQ, followed by a two-hour commute, five hours of classes and a hopeless
a6empt at squeezing in a couple hours of sleep before star+ng it all over again.
But for what seems impossible for most of us to manage, Millner considered his daily
marathon a necessity to get where he wanted to be in life.
“It was tough,” said the single father of two. “There were plenty of days I didn’t want to get up and make that drive. I didn’t
want to go to classes and I didn’t want to study for those exams. But aQer hearing the AEP folks speak at our school about the
opportuni+es and possibili+es that could be provided aQer I graduated, I knew I had to do whatever it took to have a chance at
a be6er life for my family.”
That “chance” was first presented to Millner and his classmates in a presenta+on by members of AEP's Educa+onal Outreach
Program. The Educa+onal Outreach Program was created two years ago to find a way for the company to give back to its local
community by providing students and faculty with an inside track on the tools and programs needed to be a qualified AEP job
candidate. (At leQ: Jim Cook and Elizabeth Testerman speak to students and faculty from local community colleges and high
schools at an Educa+onal Outreach Open House.)
The program has seen tremendous success. Millner is one of over 70 recent hires in the Roanoke and Lynchburg, Va., areas.
Millner, a Meter Lab electrician at the John W. Vaughan Center, was hired one month aQer earning his associate degree in
electrical/electronics engineering technology from DCC.
“We realized some +me ago that there are so many people that could benefit from this type of program,” said Jim Cook, direc-
tor -Transmission Field Services who teamed up with Senior Human Resources Representa+ve Elizabeth Testerman to get the
program started. “We really worked at developing a model that we felt could be beneficial not only to this area, but for other
areas throughout the company’s service territory. So far, we’ve had a tremendous response from our local educators about the
program and its possibili+es.”
The program, staffed by company volunteers, teaches the value of a two-year degree in the energy industry. Employee leaders
offer informa+on and advice – including their personal stories, career path op+ons and even salary informa+on.
Testerman, who is responsible for reviewing all resumes for open posi+ons at the Vaughan Center and service centers in Roa-
noke, Lynchburg and Lovingston, said she has no+ced a significant increase in the quality of applicants since the program’s in-
cep+on.
“With the amount of re+rements coming over the next couple of
years, this program allows us the opportunity to make sure we are
backfilling those posi+ons with quality employees,” she said. “By
working directly with the colleges and high schools, we have been
able to provide these students with informa+on needed to be
be6er prepared to join the work force.”
As for Millner, he feels grateful that AEP was forward-thinking
enough to put a program in place like this one. “The day Ms.
Testerman called me and offered me a job changed my life forev-
er,” he said. “I hope others take a look at what this company is
doing and make the decision to take full advantage of this oppor-
tunity.”
Elizabeth Testerman is a WiNUP VA Chapter member.
Jim Cook and Elizabeth Testerman speak to students and faculty from
local community colleges and high schools at an Educa+onal Out-
reach Open House.
Page 16
Empowering Times
News You Can Use
Page 17
Re+rement looks good with 401(k), study says— Wri2en by: Walter Hamilton— Los Angeles Times
People with access to 401(k) plans for at least 30 years are on track for a reasonably comfortable re+rement. That’s the upshot of a new
study measuring how Americans will fare in re+rement. The combina+on of Social Security benefits and 401(k) savings will provide most
people with at least 60 percent of their infla+on-adjusted pre-re+rement annual income, according to the analysis by the nonpar+san Em-
ployee Benefit Research Ins+tute.
More than 4 in 5 American workers — 83 to 86 percent — are likely to generate 60 percent or more of their pre-re+rement income, the
study calculates. Between 73 and 76 percent of people will achieve 70 percent of pre-re+rement income, according to the analysis. Though
opinions vary, a general rule of thumb is that workers need about 70 percent of pre-re+rement income to live fairly comfortably in re+re-
ment.
The ins+tute study covers people who are eligible for 401(k)s, not simply those who actually par+cipate. But about 73 percent of workers
with access to 401(k) plans take part in them, the ins+tute says. The ability to generate 60 to 70 percent of pre-re+rement income is en-
couraging, considering the oQen-bleak re+rement sta+s+cs in many other analyses. “I would think that’s a very different message — a more
-op+mis+c message — than has been conveyed” in other studies, said Jack VanDerhei, ins+tute research director.
But there are several caveats.
The study assumes that current Social Security benefits are not cut, an uncertain prospect given the poli+cal controversy over the program in
Washington. Also, people who don’t join their 401(k) plans won’t fare as well. More than that, many Americans simply don’t have access to
401(k) plans. Only 59 percent of workers 16 or older are eligible to join a plan, the ins+tute says.
Many other studies have painted a decidedly less than ‘rosey’ assessment of Americans’ re+rement prospects. A poll released last week
found that nearly half of baby boomers who are in the work force today say they don’t expect to re+re un+l they’re 66 or older, and 1 in 10
thinks he or she will never stop working.
SAVE ENERGY (Courtesy of Appalachian Power Company)
Taking a vaca�on is a great way to get away from it all. Did you know that your appliances and electronic devices can
use a li2le �me off as well? With a few simple adjustments before you leave, you'll come home to a lower energy bill.
Water heater. If you have a tank unit, your water heater will con+nue hea+ng water while you are away. Adjust the temperature
seSng as low as possible to reduce standby heat loss.
Refrigerator. Your refrigerator is one of the biggest energy users in your home. If you are leaving for a short period, conserve energy
by adjus+ng the thermostats on your refrigerator and freezer to higher seSngs—38°F for the refrigerator, and 5°F for the freezer. For
trips las+ng four weeks or more, consider emptying your refrigerator and unplugging it.
Air condi�oner. Why cool an empty house? Turn off your air condi+oner or set the thermostat to 85°F or higher. If you
have a programmable thermostat, set it to vaca+on mode; it will conserve energy while you are away and cool your
house shortly before you return.
Lights. Install +mers on indoor and outdoor lights and set them to turn the lights on for a few hours each night. This will
conserve energy and provide added security by crea+ng the illusion that someone is at home.
Electronics. While turning off electronic devices saves energy, digital displays and instant-on features con+nue to use
energy whether you are at home or not. Unplug all electronic devices before you leave.
Thermostats. For a short period, conserve energy by adjus+ng the thermostats on your refrigerator and freezer to high-
er seSngs—38°F for the refrigerator, and 5°F for the freezer. For trips las+ng four weeks or more, consider emptying
your refrigerator and unplugging it.
Air condi�oner. Why cool an empty house? Turn off your air condi+oner or set the thermostat to 85°F or higher. If you
have a programmable thermostat, set it to vaca+on mode; it will conserve energy while you are away and cool your
house shortly before you return.
Lights. Install +mers on indoor and outdoor lights and set them to turn the lights on for a few hours each night. This will
conserve energy and provide added security by crea+ng the illusion that someone is at home.
Electronics. While turning off electronic devices saves energy, digital displays and instant-on features con+nue to use
energy whether you are at home or not. Unplug all electronic devices before you leave.
Empowering Times
News You Can Use
Page 18
WATER PROFESSIONALS URGE CONGRESS TO SPUR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE RENEWAL WWW.WATERWORLD.COM
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 14, 2016 -- With
water infrastructure issues in headlines across America, more than 130 water utility profession-als from 47 states are visiting their members of Congress this week to urge funding for critical loan programs to repair and renew U.S. water and wastewater systems. The water utility leaders were in Washington as delegates of the Water Matters! Fly-In, an an-nual event hosted by the American Water Works Association. They are taking part in more than 300 meetings with elected representatives over two days. “The buried water infrastructure that serves our homes and businesses is critical to our public health and safety, to our economy and to the quality of life we enjoy,” said AWWA CEO David LaFrance. “We should not wait until mo-ments of crisis to move forward on important water infrastructure projects.” AWWA members went to Capitol Hill advocating that Congress: • Support fully authorized funding -- $35 million -- for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). • Allow WIFIA to more fully realize its potential by removing the cap on WIFIA support of a project. • Support at least $1.3 billion in funding for the drinking water and $1.3 billion for the wastewater state revolving loan fund programs. • Remove the annual volume caps for private activity bonds for water infrastructure projects. Congress passed WIFIA in 2014 to provide communities with low-interest loans for large water projects. To this point, Congress has yet to appropriate money to make loans. “Now is the time for WIFIA to begin making those loans it was designed to make,” said Tracy Mehan, AWWA executive director of government affairs. “And remem-ber, because WIFIA is strictly a loan program, it results in no long-term net cost to the taxpayers.” Last year, Congress freed WIFIA from a ban on the use of tax-exempt bonds in combination with WIFIA loans. This year, AWWA delegates are encouraging Congress – in the context of reauthorizing the Water Resources and Reform Development Act -- to allow WIFIA to reach its full potential by removing a barrier that allows it to fund only 49 percent of projects. WIFIA was designed to complement State Revolving Loan funds, making loans to projects that cost $20 million or more. The water utility leaders asked also Congress to fund both the water and wastewater SRF programs at a minimum on $1.3 billion each. About AWWA Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational as-sociation dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most important resource. With approximately 50,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life.
Empowering Times
Professional Development
AEPNOW—Posted by: David P. Waitkus, Internal Communica�ons
On June 1, Judith E. Talavera (42) became the first female
president and chief opera+ng officer of AEP Texas.
"I am honored and take great pride in the level of leadership
and commitment that I've seen from all of the employees
during the 15-plus years that I've worked here," Talavera
said.
Talavera will report to Venita McCellon-Allen, president and
chief opera+ng officer of Southwestern Electric Power Com-
pany. “I’m excited for the opportunity to work with Judith to
serve AEP Texas customers,” McCellon-Allen said. “She has
strong rela+onships across the company’s service area and
with the AEP Texas team. ”
In her new posi+on, Talavera will assume responsibility for
the company’s energy opera+ons in south and west Texas.
With more than 50,000 miles of power lines, AEP Texas has
more than a million end-use customers spread out across 92
coun+es.
Born in McAllen and raised in Houston, Talavera previously had been director of Regulatory Services for
AEP Texas since November 2008. She began her career with AEP in 2000 as manager of Governmental
Affairs for AEP Texas.
Before joining AEP, Talavera worked in a number of legisla+ve posi+ons for former Texas State Sen. Mario
Gallegos Jr., including serving as his legisla+ve director. Talavera has bachelor’s degree in journalism from
the University of Texas at Aus+n and has completed the AEP/Ohio State University Leadership Program
and Leadership Texas. She also serves as a board member on the Senate Hispanic Research Council.
AEP Texas Corporate Communica+ons Manager ,Larry Jones, interviews Judith .
Page 19 Page 19
Register for the conference at http://www.winup.org/#!conference
Page 20 Empowering Times
SAVE THE DATE!
The official WiNUP Conference T-Shirt is now available to
order. The proceeds will benefit the Governor's Books from
Birth Founda�on, a partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagi-
na�on Library. Help sponsor a child today...order a special-
ty T-Shirt. The shirts are Gildan Performance shirts. They
are black, long-sleeved, and pre-shrunk. The material is
super soB and washes really well. We hope you will order
one for yourself and many as giBs for your friends! Thank
you and childhood literacy maDers! Visit this link to order
your T-Shirt today: hDps://www.123contacGorm.com/
form-1971674/WiNUP-T-Shirt-Order-Form
THE 200TH REGISTRANT TO THE
WINUP CONFERENCE WILL WIN A $100
GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM NASHVILLE’S
PREMIER BOOT STORE, LUCCHESE
BOOTS!
Empowering Times
SAVE THE DATE!
Page 21
2016 sponsors:
American Electric Power
John Amos Plant (APCo)
AEP—GenCo
AEP—Public Service of Oklahoma
AEP Re+red
AEP Waterford Facility
Appalachian Power Company
Cookeville Gas Department
Caney Fork Electric Coopera+ve
CDE Lightband
Columbia Pipeline Group
Cumberland EMC
Dickson Electric System
Indiana Electric Coopera+ves
Indiana Michigan Power
Indianapolis Power & Light
Jackson County REMC
Kentucky Power Company
Leidos Engineering
McMinnville Electric System
Mitchell Plant (AEP)
NIPSCO
Ohio’s Electric Coopera+ves
Oncor Electric
Phoenix Engineering Services, Inc.
PJM Interconnec+on LLC
RushShelby Energy
Rockwood Electric U+lity
Sequachee Valley Electric Coopera+ve
South Central Indiana REMC
Tennessee Valley Authority
TVPPA
Vectren
Wabash Valley Power Associa+on
Wells Fargo Advisors LLC
2016 Awards Recep�on at the Ryman!
The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) offers a home away from home
for families who must be in Roanoke with pediatric pa+ents. Based
on a priority system, families find a temporary home, a good meal
and a friendly face even when money is +ght. There are many
ameni+es for families, such as:
• Living room, dining room, fully equipped kitchen, family room,
library, mee+ng rooms and play room
• 18 beau+fully decorated guest rooms, each with two queen-sized
beds, a private bathroom, television and telephone
• Linens provided
• A meal every evening
• Smoke-free environment
• Computer with Internet access
• Laundry facili+es
• Handicap accessible facility
• Playground
The RMH suggests a $15 per night dona+on, but no family is turned
away for their inability to pay. Medicaid is accepted. Referrals are
made by physicians, nurses and social workers. The RMH is locat-
ed just a few blocks from the Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
For more informa+on, please visit carilionfounda�on.org.
At the second WiNUP VA Chapter’s mee+ng held on April 14th,
Chapter members donated cash, non-perishable food and house-
hold goods for the families staying at the local RMH. Teresa Hyers
and Roxey Fisher delivered $50 of movie passes, gently used cloth-
ing, non-perishable food, household items and office supplies aQer
the mee+ng.
Page 22 Empowering Times
Community Involvement
Old-Fashioned Macaroni Salad
Total Time: 2 hrs 35 mins
Prep: 15 mins
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
4 eggs
1 pound large elbow macaroni
4 ounces ham steak, finely chopped
2 stalks chopped celery, including
leaves
1 large shallot, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Directions
To make the hard-boiled eggs: Add the eggs to a medium-sized saucepan. Cover with cold water and bring up to a boil over medium heat.
Cover with a lid and turn off the heat. Let the eggs sit in the hot water for 14 minutes. Drain and cool under cold running water. Peel the
eggs and chop. Reserve.
While the eggs are cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat and add the macaroni. Cook until al dente. Drain and
rinse with cold water.
In a large serving bowl, combine the eggs, ham steak, celery, shallots and lemon juice Add the macaroni and stir to combine.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, pickled relish, and salt and pepper, to taste. Add the dressing to the macaroni
and toss to coat. Season with more salt and pepper, if needed. Cover and chill for 2 hours for the flavors to meld.
AEP Founda�on to Match Employee Dona�ons for
West Virginia Flood Relief June 28, 2016—Wri2en by: Barry L Schumann
The worst flooding in more than a century has claimed at
least 23 lives, damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes and
leQ thousands of residents unsure if or when they will be able
to return to their homes.
Appalachian Power has announced a $25,000 dona+on from
shareholders directly to the American Red Cross in West Virgin-
ia.Contribu+ons to the AEP Emergency Disaster Relief Fund of
The Salva+on Army will be matched up to $50,000 by the
American Electric Power Founda+on. The Founda+on will make
a special contribu+on to The Salva+on Army to provide a 100
percent match to employee dona+ons to help families impact-
ed by the devasta+ng floods that swept through West Virginia
last week.
Dona+ons to the special relief fund will be administered by
The Salva+on Army and split equally between the American
Red Cross and the Salva+on Army for ongoing relief efforts.
"This disastrous flooding throughout southern West Virginia
has impacted the communi+es where we live and work, and
many of the people we know there," said Nick Akins, AEP chair-
man, president and CEO. "We know that our colleagues want
to help, and through the AEP Founda+on match, employee
dona+ons will go even further in helping friends and neighbors
recover from the devasta+on. Time is of the essence."
In response to the WV flooding, the WiNUP VA Chapter mailed
a $500 check to The Salva�on Army/AEP Emergency Disaster
Relief Fund aQer a mo+on was made by Teresa Hyers to ap-
prove the dona+on followed by a second mo+on from Roxey
Fisher. The $500 dona+on is expected to be matched by the
Founda+on resul+ng in a $1,000 dona+on to those in need!