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2026 ElectriCities Annual Conference

Thanks to the many public power leaders, sponsors, and guests who made the 2026 Annual Conference possible. Discussions about innovative approaches to customer service, power supply insights, and sharing common challenges and solutions to community-owned power will help our public power region more powerfully serve our neighbors and customers. In the weeks ahead, we’ll post publicly shareable presentation decks here.

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Monday August 17
Time
Topic
Speaker or Location
Time8 a.m.
TopicRegistration opens
Speaker or Location
Time12:30-2 p.m.
TopicWelcome & Opening Remarks
Speaker or LocationRoy Jones, CEO, ElectriCities of NC
Time
TopicThe Dopamine of Being Right: How
Certainty Quietly Derails Innovation, Collaboration, and Change
Speaker or LocationCyndi Wentland, MBA, Certified Coach and Founder, Intentionaleaders, LLC
Time2:30-3:30 p.m. Breakout Session #1
TopicFrom Certainty to Collaboration: How Mindset Shapes the Way We Work
Together
Speaker or LocationCyndi Wentland, MBA, Certified Coach and Founder, Intentionaleaders, LLC
Time
TopicAdvocacy Matters: Building Political
Support for Public Power
Speaker or LocationDalton Ashworth (Moderator), Associate Government Affairs Specialist, ElectriCities of NC; Tina Brown, Mayor, Town of Robersonville; Byron McAllister, Mayor, Town of Selma; and Michael Peoples, City Manager, City of Gastonia
Time3:45-5 p.m.
TopicFireside Chat with the CEO: How Our Communities Are Managing Data Center Growth
Speaker or LocationRoy Jones, CEO, ElectriCities of NC; Panel of public power leaders
Time5-6:30 p.m.
TopicNetworking Reception
Speaker or LocationSponsor Showcase
Tuesday August 18
Time
Topic
Speaker or Location
Time7:00-8:15 a.m.
TopicBreakfast Buffet
Speaker or LocationSponsor Showcase
Time
TopicWomen in Public Power Breakfast
Speaker or LocationStratford Ballroom
Time8:15-10 a.m.
TopicPublic Power Awards
Speaker or LocationGrand Ballroom East
Time
TopicPower Supply Outlook: What’s Changing and What’s Next
Speaker or LocationChris Kralich, Portfolio Manager, The Energy Authority; Gregory Labbe, Director, Corporate Analytics, The Energy Authority
Time10:30-11:30 a.m. Breakout Session #2
TopicShifting Into Leadership: Lessons From New & Emerging Utility Leaders
Speaker or LocationCraig Batchelor, Manager, Safety & Training, ElectriCities of NC (Moderator); Matt Bass, Electric Distribution Manager, Wilson Energy; Tyler Berrier, Director, High Point Energy; Cody Leis, Director, Statesville Public Power; Donnell White, Deputy Director of Electric, Elizabeth City
Time
TopicBeyond the Three Rs: The New Customer Experience
Speaker or LocationDale Odom, Manager, Retail Energy Services, ElectriCities of NC
Time
TopicPower Supply Planning
Speaker or LocationChris Kralich, Portfolio Manager, The Energy Authority; Gregory Labbe, Director, Corporate Analytics, The Energy Authority; Mark Oliver, Vice President, Operations, ElectriCities of NC
Time11:30-12:30 p.m.
TopicNetworking Lunch
Speaker or LocationSponsor Showcase
Time12:30-1:30 p.m. Breakout Session #3
TopicModerated Breakouts: Elected Officials
Speaker or Location
Time
TopicModerated Breakouts: City/Town Managers
Speaker or Location
Time
TopicModerated Breakouts: Key City/Town Staff
Speaker or Location
Time2-3:15 p.m.
TopicLeading a Culture of Service Excellence
Speaker or LocationDennis Snow, Founder, Snow & Associates, Inc.
Time3:45-4:45 p.m. Breakout Session #4
TopicPlace, Partnership, and Possibility:
Economic Development Strategies for
Public Power Communities
Speaker or LocationCatharine Broadnax, Associate Partner, Urbanite Advisors; Reece McDonald, Senior Tax Manager, Creative Planning; Will Ruzic, Vice President, Facilities and Operations, Provalus
Time
TopicDesigning a Best-in-Class Customer Experience
Speaker or LocationDennis Snow, Founder, Snow & Associates, Inc
Time
TopicPublic Power 101
Speaker or LocationJason Thigpen, Manager, Power Supply Operations, ElectriCities of NC; Dan Werdel, Supervisor, Production, ElectriCities of NC
Time4:45-6 p.m.
TopicNetworking Reception
Speaker or LocationSponsor Showcase
Wednesday August 19
Time
Topic
Speaker or Location
Time7-8 a.m.
TopicBreakfast Buffet
Speaker or LocationSponsor Showcase
Time8-8:30 a.m.
TopicLegislative Update
Speaker or LocationAlyssa Morrissey, Director of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs, NC Chamber
Time9-10 a.m. Breakout Session #5
TopicElevating the New Customer Experience: A Strategic Approach
Speaker or LocationNikki Poe, Supervisor Product Development, ElectriCities of NC
Time
TopicPowering Utilities for the Future: Building the Right Technology Stack
Speaker or LocationSherri Callery, Manager, Grid Innovation, ElectriCities of NC
Time
TopicEconomic Development Think Tanks
Speaker or LocationElectriCities of NC Economic Development team 1:1 meetings (signup required through conference registration)
Time10:15-11:30
TopicRegional Economic Outlook
Speaker or LocationMark Vitner, Founder and Chief Economist, Piedmont Crescent Capital
Time6:30-10 pm.
TopicWednesday Night Celebration
Speaker or LocationGrand Ballroom West and Downtime Game Room

Code of Conduct and Attendee Policies

We are committed to a safe, positive, and welcoming experience for all attendees. Please familiarize yourself with our conference code of conduct, waivers, and privacy policy.

Attendee Code of Conduct Terms and Privacy Policy

If you have any questions, please reach out to us via email.

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