15 Oct ‘Bittersweet Day’ as UTC Applauds Ditto, Begins Search for Successor
Washington—Oct. 15, 2019—The Utilities Technology Council, the Washington-based association at the nexus of energy and telecommunications, expresses its appreciation for outgoing President and CEO Joy Ditto, who will be leaving the organization in January to head the American Public Power Association (APPA).
Ms. Ditto, who first joined UTC as President and CEO in April 2016, was appointed as the new President and CEO of APPA by the Association’s Board of Directors. She will remain with UTC through early January.
“This is a bittersweet day for UTC,” said UTC Chairman of the Board Greg Angst of CenterPoint Energy of Houston. “We will miss Joy’s incredible drive, enthusiasm, and leadership. She has taken UTC to a new level in Washington, raising our profile and securing numerous advocacy wins that most thought were impossible. It is clear that APPA recognizes these same qualities, and we wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors. UTC is a strong organization and we will immediately begin the search for Joy’s successor.”
UTC is a global trade association representing electric, water, and natural gas utilities of all ownership types in their development of strong communications networks which underpin the delivery of essential utility services. Mr. Angst said the UTC Board of Directors aims to have a new President and CEO identified by the time Ms. Ditto leaves in January 2020. “This will be a thorough process,” he said. “We anticipate much interest in this position, given our unique vantage point representing utilities as we modernize grids and support our strong, resilient communications networks to safely and efficiently deliver our essential services. My thanks to the UTC staff for their hard work and focus during this time of transition; our next President and CEO will build on Joy’s successes and continue our momentum.”
During her tenure, Ms. Ditto revamped UTC’s advocacy and communications focus, resulting in considerable gains in Congress and elsewhere. This work brought greater attention to utilities’ communications needs. She has brought heightened awareness about how critical utility communications networks are to grid reliability, resilience, safety, national security, and to the grid of the future. Through her participation with the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council (ESCC), Ms. Ditto has raised these issues to the highest levels in the industry and the federal government, thereby helping steer the utility industry’s attention to these critical issues.
Ms. Ditto has testified before Congress and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and has participated in high-profile events including annual conferences organized by the Edison Electric Institute, the Energy Storage Association, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, and many more. In addition, she has been quoted in numerous national and Washington-based media outlets, including Bloomberg, Politico, E&E News, Platts, TR Daily, and many others.
Organizationally, Ms. Ditto oversaw the implementation of a new dues structure, development of an ongoing, three-year strategic plan, a significant growth in both membership and attendance at UTC’s annual meetings, an office move, and staff restructuring, among others.
“UTC is a vibrant and strong organization, and I am incredibly proud of everything we have achieved over the last three and a half years,” Ms. Ditto said. “We have a determined and focused staff that has been essential to everything we’ve accomplished. Our Board and Executive Committee have given me the necessary tools and guidance to succeed, and I am confident we will find a successor who will take UTC to the next level. I have learned a great deal about this industry and myself since joining UTC. These lessons will serve me well as I go back ‘home’ to APPA, where I spent 15 years of my career. UTC and APPA have much in common; we even share several members. In my new role at APPA, I will work to solidify the ties between our organizations, which will serve to strengthen us all. I would like to thank the UTC Board and Executive Committee for their support during my tenure. I would also like to thank the UTC staff, who has met every challenge I put in front of them with grace and determination. With the ongoing support of the UTC members and the staff’s hard work and commitment to our industry, I know that UTC’s best days are ahead. Finally, thanks to my family and their unwavering support.”
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About UTC
The Utilities Technology Council (UTC) is a global trade association dedicated to serving critical infrastructure providers. Through advocacy, education and collaboration, UTC creates a favorable business, regulatory and technology environment for our members who own or operate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems in support of their core business. For more information: UTC.org
