Office Location: Littleton, MA

Overview of the Organization

Founded in 1965, the Northeast Public Power Association (NEPPA) is a private, non-profit trade association that is incorporated as a 501c (6) with a mission to represent and serve consumer-owned utilities of New England. Nationally, one customer in four is served by a public power company that is owned and operated by local or state governments or rural cooperatives. In the six New England states, over 78 public power systems serve roughly two million retail customers and sell over 12 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. Many of these public power companies are NEPPA’s members!

NEPPA is governed by an elected Board of Directors comprised of 21 public power officials representing member utilities in all six New England states. Seven standing committees provide guidance on member services and policies. The Executive Director reports to the NEPPA Board of Directors.

Including the Executive Director, NEPPA employs five professionals as well as contracted trainers. NEPPA’s annual revenue averages approximately $2.3 million, of which approximately 57% is comprised of education and training revenues, and 32% is derived from membership dues.

Overview of NEPPA’s Programs and Services

NEPPA combines the strength of its diverse members to provide low-cost services, opportunities to network and engage, and advocacy for public policies and federal legislation beneficial to members’ interests. Specific programs and services offered by NEPPA include:

• Training and Education – To help utilities ensure that their employees are properly trained to work on or near energized equipment, NEPPA provides comprehensive safety and technical training programs for utility personnel. In addition, NEPPA offers trainings in supervision, leadership, and customer service, as well as an annual conference where industry best practices are highlighted.

• Government Affairs and Advocacy – On behalf of its members, NEPPA monitors and responds to legislative and regulatory initiatives that could impact the public power industry and the specific operations of those in New England. On behalf of its members, NEPPA retains the services of professionals in Washington, DC to monitor activities, coordinate with APPA, NRECA & TAPS, receive information from NAESB, and coordinate with various joint action agencies.

• Mutual Aid – NEPPA plays an active role promoting and engaging members to participate in mutual aid, which occurs when a public power utility needs additional line crews to restore power

Executive Transition

NEPPA is currently under the leadership of an interim Executive Director. A committee of Active Members was formed to manage the search for a permanent candidate.

Strategic Opportunities and Challenges

NEPPA is at an important juncture as it approaches this leadership transition. High priorities for the Executive Director include:

• Managing adeptly the daily operations, staffing, finances, and member services of a $2.3 million trade association, and empowering a dedicated and skilled staff of five plus trainers to provide the highest quality programs and services to NEPPA’s 80+ members.
• Utilizing NEPPA’s solid financial resources, recommending the targeted, strategic investments NEPPA should make to further enhance the programs and services provided to members.
• Maintaining NEPPA’s high level of engagement with members, ensuring mutual benefits are realized, and membership dues are sustained.
• Modernizing the highly successful education and training programs, including the expansion of on-line and virtual options, as well as training schedules that better meet the needs of students.
• Staying abreast of the most pressing industry issues and concerns to support and participate in advocacy efforts in partnership with lobbyists and consultants.
• Professionally managing staff and trainers by continued development of the performance management process, offering targeted professional development opportunities to staff, and creating a strategy for managing trainer transitions and retirements.
• Increasing the use of technology throughout the organization to better serve members and to increase staff productivity.
• Continue to Improve interdepartmental communications so all are well-informed and well-positioned to serve members.

Desired Credentials/Profile of the Ideal Candidate

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

• A minimum of five years of senior leadership, or equivalent experience. Power and/or Utility experience a plus.

• Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation is an added benefit.

Skills and Experience

Customer Service Leader and Community Builder

The Executive Director must be able to establish and maintain an organizational culture committed to exceptional member services. The leader must fully understand the needs of members, ensure that members’ needs are always met and inspire and proactively engage members to participate in NEPPA’s program and series. The leader must also be adept at building and sustaining community of a membership that is geographically dispersed throughout New England and the Northeast. Prior experience in a member-based organization is strongly desired.

Experienced Administrator

The Executive Director will be responsible for overseeing the organization’s operations, finances, programming, facilities, and staff, efficiently aligning, and maximizing resources to achieve the goals outlined in the current strategic plan and empowering, coaching and supporting a small, but highly experienced, professional, and committed staff. The Executive Director will also serve as the primary liaison to the board of directors and its committees to engage in effective governance, to achieve its strategic goals and to implement NEPPA’s next strategic plan.

Strategic Thinker and Innovator

The Executive Director must be committed to NEPPA’s strategic vision, and working collaboratively with the board and staff, develop inventive methods for delivering the highest quality programs and services to members. The leader should have the creativity and confidence to evaluate a high performing association (like NEPPA) into the everchanging industry future.

Skilled Communicator and Advocate

The ability to serve as the public face, primary spokesperson, and representative for NEPPA is a key quality sought in an Executive Director. To assume this role, the leader must listen carefully, speak persuasively, and respond effectively to engage others and working in partnership with lobbyists and consultants, advocate on behalf of the industry. Internally, the leader must create and implement interdepartmental communication best practices, so all staff are well-informed and aligned.

Training Developer

Although the Executive Director will not personally be responsible for developing training and education programs, since these programs are a core offering, the ability to inform program design, adjust program design and needs as required by the membership and the industry is a requirement.

Power/Electric Utility Industry Knowledge

Although direct industry experience or knowledge is not required, it would be ideal if the Executive Director had a working knowledge of power/electric utilities. In the event the Power/Electric Utility is new to the Executive Director, the Board will set a training and development program and schedule going forward to best educate the Executive Director.

Candidate Guidelines

Please include a resume and a cover letter with salary requirements, information regarding how you learned of the position, and a description of how your qualifications and experience match NEPPA’s needs and mission. All submissions of candidacy will be accepted until the position is filled. Salary is commensurate with experience, within the framework of the organization’s annual operating budget. 

Apply at apply@neppa.org

NEPPA is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks a diverse pool of candidates.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications:

• A minimum of five years of senior leadership or equivalent experience. Power and/or Utility experience preferred

• Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation is an added benefit
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred

Skills and Experience:

• Customer and Member Service Leader
• Experienced Administrator and Mentor
• Strategic Thinker and Innovator
• Skilled Communicator and Advocate
• Training and Skills Based Developer
• Power/Electric Utility Industry Knowledge

Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning
• Member Engagement
• Advancement/Modernization of Training Curriculum
• Support and Participate in Advocacy and Governmental Efforts
• Interdepartmental and Membership Communications
• Staff Management and Mentoring
• Daily Operations