The Plant Management Institute Forum
Monday, September 28
12:30 PM – 4:00 PM

The Plant Management Institute Cocktail Hour
Monday, September 28
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

This forum brings plant managers together for candid, peer-driven discussions on the critical challenges shaping today’s energy generation landscape. Sessions will cover a range of high-priority topics, including hot-button industry issues identified by the group, vendor reliability and quality craftsmanship in an increasingly competitive labor market, plant upgrades and life extension strategies for aging assets, and lessons learned from extreme weather events that have tested infrastructure, supply chains, and workforce resilience alike.

Whether you are navigating a shrinking pool of qualified contractors, managing complex upgrade projects under tight timelines, or rethinking your emergency protocols in the wake of a significant weather event, this is your opportunity to share your experiences, learn from your peers, and walk away with practical strategies you can apply at your facility. Come prepared to engage in open, honest dialogue — because the best solutions in this industry have always come from the people doing the work.

Add on Plant Management Institute during registration to get your pass to this important forum. Plant Management Institute is only available to electricity generating companies/utilities.

Plant Management Institute Agenda

Monday, September 28th – 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm

Lunch and Hot Topic Discussion
During lunch, we’ll dive into hot topics selected by the group — think significant events, root cause analysis, case studies, and extent of conditions. Bring your toughest challenges and come ready for a real conversation with your peers.

Moderator: Rizwan James, Power Generation System Operations Director, Dominion Energy, Inc.

Challenges with Vendor and Quality Craftsmanship
With energy generation facilities all competing for the same contractors and skilled labor, securing reliable vendors and quality workmanship has never been harder. Plant managers share their experiences navigating this landscape and the strategies they’ve developed to protect operational integrity and project quality.

Moderator: John Corelis, Plant Director, Xcel Energy

Plant Upgrades and Life Extension
With aging generation assets requiring upgrades and life extension work, plant managers are under pressure to deliver complex projects while competing for a shrinking pool of qualified vendors and skilled workers. This session explores strategies for securing reliable contractors, maintaining quality craftsmanship, and protecting project timelines in a crowded market.

Moderator: Brian Heinbaugh, Vice President Operations & Asset Management, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative

Extreme Weather: 5 Things You Need to Do, Now
Extreme weather events are among the most revealing stress tests an energy generation facility can face, exposing infrastructure weaknesses, straining vendor and supply chains, and challenging workforce safety and endurance all at once. The lessons plant managers take away — from hardening aging assets and pre-positioning critical inventory to building mutual aid networks and refining emergency protocols — are reshaping how the industry approaches long-term planning and operational resilience.

Moderator: Mike Roth, O&M Coordinator, ODEC-Wildcat Point Generation Facility