Strategic Planning Services
With a vast number of changes, challenges and choices facing public power utilities today, it has never been more important for utility leaders to do three things:
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Hometown Connections, Inc. (HCI) announced the appointment of Charise Swanson to Chief Operating Officer from her role as Vice President of Client Services. In her new role, Ms. Swanson will work closely with Marc Gerken, Interim President and CEO, as HCI focuses on helping community-owned utilities improve their business operations and risk management. In addition, HCI welcomed Ms. Charlie Cardin as Executive Consultant. Ms. Cardin will concentrate on helping utilities with strategic planning, technology assessments, systems integration, performance optimization, and project management.
Susan Ryba, Hometown’s long-time executive marketing team member, has announced her retirement. Susan’s last day as Executive Marketing Consultant will be March 31, 2022.
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With much focus on rates and reliability, changes in the industry, customer demands, and juggling responsibilities, we often find ourselves working reactively. You may be overlooking the value of better managing the “business” of your utility. Inefficient and ineffective foundational business practices can make your utility vulnerable to significant operational, financial, strategic, and reputational risks. Hometown Connections can conduct a Business Operations Assessment to help you determine how to address misalignments across the organization which may be hindering the success and full potential of your utility.
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Marc Gerken, PE
Interim President & CEO
Hometown Connections, Inc.
The Hometown Connections, Inc. (HCI) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Marc Gerken as interim president and chief executive officer. Gerken will fill the seat vacated by Tim Blodgett who, after 23 years with HCI, announced he would be leaving at the end of the year.
Read More about Former AMP Executive Marc Gerken Appointed Interim HCI President & CEO »
Tim Blodgett, President & CEO, Hometown Connections, Inc.
Hometown Connections, Inc. (HCI) CEO and President Tim Blodgett is stepping down after more than 20 years at the municipal utility service provider. He announced on Thursday his intention to step down by the end of 2021. The HCI Board of Directors will begin a nationwide recruitment to fill the position.
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On September 9, 2021, Hometown Connections, Inc. (HCI) published a Request for Quote (RFQ) REF#: HCI_MDR_VMS_RFQ_0827. HCI is soliciting quotes from qualified vendors offering Managed Detection and Response Solutions (MDR) & Vulnerability Management Systems (VMS) that meet the identified cybersecurity requirements of community-owned utilities. HCI seeks to partner with the selected vendor(s) to provide these solutions / systems.
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On August 30 at the 2021 Annual Conference in Fort Collins, Colorado, Hometown Connections announced award winners in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the organization and to community-owned utilities.
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Federal and many state regulations require electric, water, wastewater, and gas utilities to establish an identity theft prevention program. Utilities must have policies and procedures in place to detect, prevent, and mitigate the theft of personal customer information. What does this mean for your community-owned utility? You must evaluate and address all of the ways people can open and access your customer accounts which contain personally identifiable information (PII). Failure to comply with these regulations puts your utility at risk of hefty financial penalties and potential civil lawsuits.
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The success of the public power business model depends on utility managers receiving clear guidance from engaged and well-trained governing boards. A high-performing governing board can be one of the utility’s most valuable assets. To be successful, these officials must understand their responsibilities, stay current on industry challenges, and serve as ambassadors for public power by promoting the value of living and working in communities that deliver their own utility services.
Read More about Governance in Public Power: The Role of Policymakers in Today’s Marketplace »