Reflecting on my 40 years at SMUD

Today marks 40 years since I walked through the doors at SMUD as an intern while I was an electrical engineering student at Sac State. Stingers Up! I’ve had a wonderful journey so far, and as I reflect on the last four decades, a few main themes stand out.

I’m incredibly blessed to lead an organization whose values align with my own. Working for SMUD – a company that not only encourages its employees to get involved in supporting community causes they’re passionate about, but also supports them in doing so — is a really special thing. It strikes at the heart of SMUD’s purpose, which is to improve the quality of life for our customers and community.

Change waits for no one, as they say, and embracing change has allowed us to innovate and evolve our business far beyond what I could have imagined 40 years ago. When I joined SMUD, the technology that powered our homes and businesses hadn’t changed a whole lot for the better part of a century.

Last week, I reflected on one of the most significant changes in our industry at the ribbon cutting of SMUD’s Hedge utility-scale battery project. Not being able to store energy on a large scale was one of the most significant shortcomings of our product. Today, batteries are a critical bridge to a clean energy future. This important technology is an important part of how SMUD will eliminate all carbon emissions from our power supply by 2030.

While much has changed, SMUD’s commitment to our customers and community has never wavered, not just during my tenure, but since SMUD began serving customers on Dec. 31, 1946 after citizens voted to create SMUD as a community-owned, not-for-profit electric service. That mission to serve is something our 2,200+ employees take to heart. I’ve had the pleasure of working in virtually every business unit at SMUD alongside the best and brightest minds in our industry. When you blend deep technical expertise and a passion for innovation that exists across SMUD with a deep-rooted commitment to serve, the outcomes are solutions that are the right ones for our customers and community.

When I think of the many great things SMUD has accomplished over the years, partnerships are almost always at the heart of them.

The 2010 $127 million in Department of Energy grant funding for smart grid infrastructure for our region is certainly a highlight, and one we achieved by partnering with the state, universities and others. This funding brought much-needed investments and jobs during the recession when the Sacramento economy was hurting. The California Mobility Center is another wonderful example. SMUD is proud to be a founding member of this public-private partnership whose mission is to advance e-mobility technology and accelerate its adoption. But, it’s about much more than e-mobility. Through workforce development efforts, including training and apprenticeships, with a focus on historically underserved communities, we’ll also help ensure we have people with skills in our region to work in well-paying jobs in the growing clean tech sector.

I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside diverse groups of people working together – community leaders, policy makers, technical experts, the business community, elected officials, innovators and more. There’s no doubt that when we work together, we can maximize impact through solutions that improve lives.

We’re at a pivotal time in history where we can change the trajectory of the climate crisis and deliver better health outcomes, more just solutions, clean tech jobs and inclusive economic development, not just today but for our kids and grandkids. I couldn’t be more excited or prouder to be on this important journey. The most exciting part of this journey is that it’s an inclusive one where everyone can play a part. We’ll continue to develop partnerships with private companies, like we have with Zeus, Mitsubishi Electric, Electrify America and others. The support of community leaders for the 2030 Zero Carbon Plan will continue to be crucial. But it’s our customers that will play the biggest role in the goal to reach zero carbon. Customers can take steps today like replacing old appliances with their highly efficient electric counterparts, or making simple, no or low-cost lifestyle changes.

Inclusivity is the pillar of our 2030 Zero Carbon Plan, and everyone will be part of the journey to our clean energy future.

With 40 years at SMUD under my belt, I’m more excited and optimistic than ever about the impact we can make together on the greater Sacramento region. We’ll create a model that other cities and regions can follow, both nationally and across the globe. I hope you’ll join us in our work to create a clean energy economy and a healthier future for all.