Dear WiNUP Members—

Although this year has brought a number of challenges to all of us personally and professionally, I am very proud of our WiNUP members continuing to work through all of the adversities that have been in front of us these past several months. It was hard not being able to see everyone at Conference but was excited that technology allowed for us to hold our WiNUP annual meeting online so we could recognize those members and chapters that received the 2020 awards. Please join me in congratulating the 2020 award recipients.

Honorary Life Member Award

Cindy Berry (South Texas Chapter) was awarded this year’s Honorary Life Member Award. WiNUP’s highest recognition for a member’s contribution is the International Honorary Life Membership Award. This award honors an established WiNUP member who has exhibited exceptional leadership and service to the organization for at least 15 years and judging takes into account not only local involvement, but also responsibility and activity on the international level. Nominees are considered for their ability to advise, counsel and mentor other WiNUP members, as well their contributions made to the industry.  She has served in every office in her chapter as well as international board representative for 19 years. She has been on five conference planning committees, taking a lead with committee chairmanship positions for most of those five conferences. Cindy has served as International President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. She has chaired the Past Presidents Council, the Fellowship Committee, Newsletter Committee, Nominating Committee and served as a member on many other committees over her 29 year membership. Cindy was also the recipient of the OAK award.

The utility industry has benefited as she has dedicated almost 30 years to promote energy efficiency and sustainability in the central Texas area. She collaborates in and outside of her company, Austin Energy, to leverage skillsets she has learned from WiNUP to support program design and delivery to make process improvements and enhance the customer experience.  

OAK Award

Dianne Nunez (Nashville Chapter) is the 2020 OAK award recipient. The OAK Award specifically recognizes members who use Outreach, Accomplishments and Knowledge to move the WiNUP organization forward. Dianne has been an actively, engaged contributing WiNUP member for over 19 years. She has held Executive positions at the Nashville Chapter Level, twice for the position of the Chapter Chair. She has held various committee chair positions at the chapter and International level such as the Chapter Newsletter, Chapter Nominating committee, International Guidelines, Past President Council, Past Presidents Grant, Chapter Development & Retention, and co-chair New Member Orientation.  She also has held several positions on the International Executive committee. These include Secretary, Vice President, President and Immediate Past President. Under her WiNUP leadership she introduced the concept of Motivational Mondays which was widely embraced, led the first business meeting for WiNUP that broadcasted on Facebook Live, and introduced new member orientation at an annual conference which was a huge success.  Dianne was also the recipient of the POWER Award.

Dianne currently leads an Economic and Development team at Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) with her expertise in site selection and community demographics. Her work has paved the way as many industry leaders choose TVA territory for their upcoming projects. In her work, she exhibits true leadership in the field.

POWER Award

The POWER Award Recipient for 2020 is Kristin Duggins (Texhoma Chapter). This award honors a WiNUP member who has supported the objectives of the organization locally and internationally for at least 2 years and no more than 5 years. It recognizes the up and coming members’ efforts and contributions to the organization and recognizes the nominee’s contributions made to the industry. It promotes awareness of the nominee’s contributions to other professional organization and professional accomplishments. Kristin has served as Vice Chair and Chair of her Chapter, she serves on the International Board, chair’s the Members Services Committee, and the International Conference Communications Committee. Locally, she serves as chair of the PSO Employee Council and organizes annual Make a Difference Day activities. She has completed the City of Lawton Citizens Police Academy and is a member of the Academies Alumni.

Her supervisor wrote, “After joining the Comanche Power Station Team in 2014, she quickly established herself as a visionary leader by becoming a Safety Committee Officer. Her passion, enthusiasm and exceedingly high standards of performance were readily evident as she collaborated with the other committee members to develop a series of annual mini-games around safety that transitioned employees to think more like owners. She tirelessly organized annual plant safety celebrations complete with themes, guest speakers, employee families and providing special gifts and recognition. A heart for community service, she turned ideas to action to better serve the greater Lawton, OK area by organizing volunteer efforts at the plant’s local school districts on AEP Make a Difference Day as well as raising donations for the Southwest Ok Veterans’ Center.  In my 34 years in naval nuclear power, DOE and commercial industry, I count her as the most capable person I have served with and most deserving to be recognized with the WiNUP POWER Award.”

Chapter Achievement Award

The Chapter Achievement Award is given each year in recognition for outstanding chapter participation. This year’s recipients are:

• Category #3 – Chapters with 26-50 Members was awarded to the Virginia Chapter.
• Category #4 – Chapters with 51-75 Members was awarded to the Mid-Atlantic Chapter.
• Category #5 – Chapters with more than 75 Members was awarded to the Ohio Chapter.

Linda Johnson Newsletter Award

The Linda Johnson Newsletter Award is given each year in recognition for outstanding Chapter Newsletter Communications, including paper and electronic newsletters. The Ohio Chapter was awarded 1st Place, the Virginia Chapter was awarded 2nd Place, and the West Virginia Chapter was awarded 3rd Place.

Congratulations to these chapters for all of your hard work. We encourage all chapters to submit applications for these awards in 2021.

As we head into fall and the holiday season, I hope that our members continue to grow and meet all of the challenges head on and look to WiNUP members for encouragement and hope.

Sincerely,

Janet Hewitt

2020 WiNUP International President