OUC executive: Utility company’s future is bright

I’d like to respond to a recent Orlando Sentinel story that highlighted aspects of change OUC is facing as the company moves toward a clean energy future.

As CEO of OUC, the second-largest Florida public power utility, I’m committed to ensuring a healthy, safe and inclusive workplace for our employees. I had the honor of taking on this role two years ago, the culmination of a career that started in 1998 as an intern and took me through customer service, rates and pricing, strategic planning, sustainability, and electric and water delivery. Since then, my leadership team and I have championed change to address the issues pointed out in the story.

For example, in seeking to better understand employees’ views on working here, I spent my first 90 days as CEO on a “listening tour.” Their feedback led to town-hall style meetings and a companywide engagement survey. Additionally, I made the decision to elevate the role of HR and recruited a Chief Employee Experience Officer.

The engagement survey provided an opportunity for employees to share their candid thoughts on working at OUC. Of 3,729 written responses, 78% were favorable, indicating employees enjoy their overall work experience. I am very proud of high scores on questions like “Would you recommend OUC as a great place to work” and “How happy are you working at OUC.”

Unfortunately, employee issues happen in any large organization. But when it has been brought to leadership’s attention, we have responded aggressively to address and correct it, as anecdotes in the Sentinel article showed.

The survey also identified areas where we must do better. That’s why I’m fostering collaboration and improving culture to ensure each team member is engaged as we continue to meet our customers’ diverse and growing expectations for renewable and clean energy solutions.

In just the last two months, OUC secured 257.5 megawatts of solar power — enough for more than 50,000 homes. When the solar farms are completed, OUC will be the largest solar energy user in Florida on a watt-per-customer basis, according to the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. Paired with large-scale battery and hydrogen storage research, we’re on a path to solving solar-power reliability issues.

We’ve always evolved by meeting our community’s needs. We were one of the first utilities to offer community solar and are committed to projects that support broad-based prosperity, such as a large solar pavilion and EV charging stations.

In 2012, Orlando was named one of the Top 10 Most EV-Ready Cities in the nation thanks to our early infrastructure investments. We offer residential EV rebates to offset the cost of buying a vehicle and commercial charging solutions for business owners. As a result, Orlando is a leader in state EV adoption. Perhaps the most important action we’ve taken is the launch of the Electric Integrated Resource Plan (EIRP). The EIRP is a 20-year road map to determine how we’ll meet future energy needs and support the city’s clean energy goals. As the hometown utility, we’re involving our community in the process, and I urge you to attend a community forum to share your opinion. Visit www.oucroadmap.com for more information. When the study’s results become available in June 2020, we’ll announce our future energy portfolio, including a plan for the Stanton Energy Center, which has reliably powered our homes and businesses for more than 30 years.

I am extremely proud of our employees’ year-round commitment to providing essential energy and water services while taking transformative steps to remain an innovative force in our community. Our

provides insight into how we do that. The report is more than just a snapshot in time — it’s a vision for our future. Read it at www.ouc.com/communityreport.

I’m excited for the future and am dedicated to ensuring our nearly 100-year reputation remains as bright as it’s always been.