New Jersey’s biggest utilities spend billions a year on goods and services. On Thursday, they’ll be in one room with the businesses that want a piece of that work.
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Supplier Development Council will hold its 28th annual conference Oct. 15 at The Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset. This year’s theme is “Building New Jersey’s Future Together: Advancing Infrastructure, Affordability, and Supplier Opportunity.”
The council brings together the state’s public utilities, suppliers and the BPU to strengthen the state’s supplier base. It focuses on giving small businesses and New Jersey suppliers open access to utility procurement, along with education, networking and business development.
BPU President Ben Hertz-Shargel and Commissioner Joseph Coviello are scheduled to take part. The utility speakers are:
- PSE&G: Nicholas Tonzetich, vice president of procurement
- JCP&L/FirstEnergy: Doug Mokoid, president of JCP&L
- Atlantic City Electric: Andrew Hendry, regional president and vice president of governmental and external affairs
- Rockland Electric/Con Edison: Stacy Rodriguez, section manager for business services
- American Water: Kim Shalek-Downes, vice president of business development and governmental and external affairs
- Elizabethtown Gas: Adam McLaughlin, senior director of regional operations
- South Jersey Gas: Brian Ritz, senior director of field and construction operations
- New Jersey Natural Gas: Marissa Travaline, vice president of customer service, marketing and energy efficiency
The program runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It includes a “Meet the Utilities” session, utility presentations and a utility and supplier exhibition.
The council will also hand out seven awards:
Supplier of the Year: for outstanding performance, safety, quality and reliability
Emerging Diverse Supplier: for a certified diverse business showing exceptional growth over the past one to three years
Innovation: for programs, technologies or processes that open the utility sector to New Jersey suppliers
Strategic Partner: for a prime supplier with an exceptional record of subcontracting to small New Jersey businesses
Sustainability & Equity: for a company that has built supplier development into its ESG strategy
Trailblazer: for bold leadership in utility supplier development
Lifetime Achievement: for a career with a lasting impact on supplier development and New Jersey businesses
Winners will be announced at the conference.
To register, click here.
