PURPOSE
The National Utilities Diversity Council (NUDC), is a not-for-profit 501, (c), (3) public benefit corporation that conducts research to educate, develop best practices and guide efforts that will promote diversity in the utility industry in the areas of governance, employment, procurement, language access/customer service and philanthropy.
Established in October of 2007 and incorporated in the State of Delaware, the NUDC is the premier organization promoting diversity in the regulated industries of cable, energy, telecommunications and water. It is driven by State utility commissioners representing a cross section of States in the nation.
First meeting of NUDC November 12, 2007, Anaheim, CA - (L to R front row) Melinda Guzman, Nancy Zarenda, NUDC Co Chairman and Commissioner Harold D. Williams, Cynthia Marshall, Jose L. Perez, Commissioner Mignon L. Clyburn (L to R second row) Scott Drury, Tom Oliver (Interim COO), Will Johnson, Rafael Sanchez, Commissioner Timothy Alan Simon, Charles Twamugabo, Bob Mulz, Carl Wood, Tamara Walden and Ken McNeely. Not in picture NUDC Co Chaiman and President Michael R. Peevey, Chair Arnetta McCrae, Chairman Wendell F. Holland, and Frank J. Quevedo,
NUDC Members
Members of the NUDC represent a cross section of America including utility commissions, invester held companies, and national community, business and labor groups.
Members Dec 2008
President Michael R. Peevey
California PUC
Commissioner Mignon I. Clyburn
South Carolina PSC
Commissioner Lorinzo L. Joyner
North Carollina Utilities Commission
Chair Arnetta McRae
Delaware PSC
Chairman Orjiakor N. Isiogu
Michigan PSC
Commissioner Timothy Alan Simon
California PUC
Former Commissioners
Commissioner Irma Dixon
Louisana PSC
Commissioner Carl Wood
California PUC
CABLE AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Susan Jin-Davis
Comcast Cable
Cynthia Marshall
AT&T North Carolina
Kenneth McNeely
AT&T California
ELECTRICITY AND GAS
Priscilla Chandler
PJM Interconnection
Adrian P. Chapman
Washington Gas
Peggy Davis
Exelon Coporation
Carmen Herrera
Sempra Energy Utilities
San Diego Gas & Electric
Southern California Gas Company
David Hernandez
Liberty Power
Tom King
National Grid
Frank J. Quevedo
Southern California Edison
Linda D. Thomas
Duke Energy
William Harper III
Pacific Gas & Electric Company
Business, Community and Labor
Karen J. Atkinson
Native American Contractors Association
Former NM Governor Jerry Apodca
Latino Institute for Corporate Inclusion
Linda J. Denny
Women Business Enterprise National Council
Will J. Johnson
Visage Energy, Corporation
Syngon L. Hare
SL Hare Capital, Inc.
Les Minthorn
Confederated Tribe of Umatilla Indian Reservation
Bob Mulz
The Elite DVBE Network
Jose L. Perez
California Utilities Diversity Council
Rafael Sanchez
US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Tamara Walden
Walden Energy, LLC
Nancy Zarenda
Spanish Language Academy
Dept. of Energy Liaisaon
Christopher Frietas
Program Manager
Committees
Joan Kerr - AT&T
Employment
Nereida Perez - National Grid
Employment
Nancy Zarenda - Spanish Language Academy
Language Access
Legal Counsel
Melinda Guzman
Goldsberry, Freeman & Guzman
Comptroller
Ophelia Riego
Certified Public Accountant
Alex Saldivar
FAS Group
Accomplishments
NUDC, Inc. experienced what most start-up organizations do. In 2008 most of the work was laying a foundation for the development of an effective non-profit organization recognized by the IRS. Here are but some of the accomplishments:
- After submitting an extensive application to the IRS requesting an official recognition, the NUDC, Inc. was determined to meet the IRS standards and was granted such status in April 2008.
- It was formally listed by the IRS in a national database of official non-profit organizations in the country.
- Over 30 individuals from throughout the country were appointed as members of the council representing diverse backgrounds including utility commissions, industry, business groups, labor and consumer groups.
- In May, members met for a retreat to develop its strategic multi-year business plan which included the development of its vision, mission and core values.
- It raised funds from business, other non-profits and individuals.
- Appointed three experts to lead three of the six standing committees (see below).
- It met three times (Washington, Portland and New Orleans) and the leadership had many conference calls and meetings planning and following-up.
- Recognizing the fate of the economy and its budget, it downsized its "burn rate" by over 60% while maintaining continuity and secured growth and financial stability into the future.
- It supported the diversity efforts of the Maryland Public Service Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission and has been invited by other State commissions to provide assistance to them.
- It created the NUDC, Inc. E-NEWS which is sent out periodically to stakeholder groups.
- It presented a workshop on "Advancing Diversity In the New Energy Economy" at the successful convention of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
- It met with several members of Congress to alert them of the creation of NUDC and its purpose.
NUDC Sets 2009
Strategic Priorities
Capacity development of the NUDC, Inc. was the key priority set by the Council members at their meeting in New Orleans in November. After setting up the organizations, making appointments and developing a strategic business plan, the NUDC is getting ready to develop to the next level. This will take the ongoing support of key stakeholder groups including the team members of the Obama Administration who are expected to support the strategic objectives of human diversity in the utility industry.
To do so, the Council is considering goals such as the following:
- Fund development to cover the cost of overhead, administration and the development of programs.
- Assisting States that want to pursue or strengthen procurement diversity initiatives at their level.
- Strengthening strategic alliances with key stakeholder groups.
- Supporting the standing committees so they are effective in their work.
- Launching a branding and marketing effort to give the NUDC visibility throughout the country in diverse populations.
Standing Committees
Procurement diversity is the top priority for the leadership of NUDC. Joan Kerr, National Director of Supplier Diversity for AT&T and with a exceptional reputation in this area, was appointed Chair of the NUDC Procurement Committee by Commissioner Harold D. Williams, Maryland PSC. The key goal of the committee will be to work to duplicate the procurement policies and best practices that have been successfully working in some States for the last 20 years.
Employment diversity is the second top priority since all industries are facing a severe aging workforce and the challenge of a new energy economy. Jobs from the lowest level to the executive level will be the subject of a national strategy to promote diversity at all levels by creating strategic relationships between the companies, educators, labor and state and federal government entities. Nereida Perez, Vice President for Inclusion and Diversity, National Grid, has accepted the appointment to chair this committee.
Language Access is a key component for states that have experienced large numbers of newcomers from all over the world. Rate payers with limited English proficiency expect the same level of customer service as other customers. Given the growth of this population nationally and more so in certain states, Nancy Zarenda, owner of the Spanish Language Academy accepted the position of chair of the Language Access committee.