Wednesday, December 6

8:30–10:30 am  Keynote: Preparing Yourself for Dog Encounters and Attacks, Hector Hernandez
This presentation was developed by Hector Hernandez to protect you from the dog, owner, and camera. It is a presentation using real dog attack videos on Hector Hernandez to prove his methods work.

10:45–Noon  Roundtable Discussions
Join your peers and a facilitator to discuss issues that are important to your utility/city. You'll hear what others are doing and share what you know in these candid exchanges. Choose from a diverse list of topics. (Full list to be announced.)

Noon–1:00 pm  Luncheon

Two Breakout Session Options: Managers Session and Crew Leaders/Foremen Session

Managers Track

1:00–2:00  Being a Leader in a Multi-Generational Workforce, Hector Hernandez
Hector Hernandez is a motivational speaker, veteran, immigrant, entrepreneur, former law enforcement officer, and author. He has a diverse background and has developed presentations that incorporate first-hand leadership knowledge with a keen understanding of human behavior in a multicultural workforce. His work has been heard and applied nationwide, and he is always eager to learn and connect with his audience. 

2:00–3:00  Microgrid Systems and Development, Mahmoud Kabalan, PhD, Center for Microgrid Research, University of St. Thomas

3:15–4:15  Mitigation of Physical Security Threats and Planning, Jessica Burdette, Minnesota Department of Commerce and Glenn Sanders, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
The North American electrical grid infrastructure is vulnerable to security breaches. Consequences of security breaches include the possible damage or destruction of electrical infrastructure resulting in service outages, as well as cross-sector impacts to other supported and supporting critical infrastructure sectors. The purpose of this session is to increase awareness of available options that can enhance the physical security of electrical infrastructure, establish a means and path forward toward protected and resilient electrical infrastructure, and help mitigate the inherent risks of owning and operating an electrical infrastructure. Layered physical security is of the utmost importance to protecting electrical infrastructure and each facility requires a security approach tailored to its unique operating environment.

4:15–5:00  Pole Attachment Agreements and Railroad Crossing Permits, Kent Sulem, MMUA
This session will serve as a quick refresher on the applicable statutes governing pole attachments ach railroad crossings, as well as look at current issues surrounding them.

Crew Leaders/Foremen Track

1:00–2:00  De-Escalation Techniques for Frontline Workers, Stefan Salmonson, PROtective Services, Inc.

2:00–3:00  Substance Use In and Out of the Workplace, Shauna Reading, LSW, LADC
This presentation will primarily focus on marijuana and the different forms in which marijuana is produced and used. It will explain how marijuana impacts the body and the brain and how in turn this can impact someone under the influence of marijuana on a job site as well as ways to identify someone who is under the influence. There will be some explanation and review of the new law that took effect August 1, 2023, in regard to legalization of recreational marijuana and how this law impacts use in and out of the workplace.

3:15–4:15  Air Insulated Vacuum Padmounted Switchgear, Mike Crane, ElectroTech, Inc.
This presentation will cover the design, construction and application of Air Insulated Vacuum Switchgear. Mike will also cover some of the advantages of air insulation vs. oil or other insulating mediums.

4:15–5:00  Smart Fault Indicators, Scott Ware, Power Delivery Products
Reliability is key to running an electrical grid. Regardless of how many resources and how much money is invested, faults will occur. When they do, faulted circuit indicators are one of the simplest, least expensive, and most effective ways to locate issues and get them repaired quickly. This session will cover how fault indicators work, where to place them to get the most value, and the more recent technology that provides remote fault indication as well as system data.  

5:00–7:00  Trade Show and Reception (Atrium)
The ideal venue to meet with your suppliers, learn about new products and services, and catch up with colleagues from around the state while enjoying beverages and hors d'oeuvres.

Thursday, December 7

8:30–8:40 am  CEO Minute, Karleen Kos, MMUA

8:40–9:45  Skid Steer Fatality—What happened? What did we learn? Chad Briese, Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative
May 10, 2022, the unthinkable happened, the phone rang, and it was a foreman on the other end telling the Director of Safety that Tanner was just run over by the skid steer and EMS was on site working on him. Shortly after that discussion ended, the second call was received, Tanner didn’t make it! Tanner Dosch was a 23-year-old Apprentice Lineman who had been with Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative since October of 2020. Tanner was quiet, but a hard worker that loved doing line work. After the ensuing investigation internally and by MNOSHA many lessons were learned. We will discuss some of the lessons in this presentation to hopefully leave you better prepared in case the unthinkable happens at your workplace.

10:15–Noon  Closing keynote: 12.5 Still Alive; Life After 12,500 Volts, Gary and Jeanne Norland 
Is it okay to take that shortcut, even a small one, if nothing happens to you? You might think so, until something does happen. Safety is a choice we make every minute of every day of our lives. And your life can change dramatically if something goes wrong.

Too many people think that if a poor choice is made about our safety that it only affects that person. Hear Gary's vivid story of how his life changed in the blink of an eye and dispel this dangerous myth.

Noon  Conference Adjourns

*Schedule/program subject to change without notice.