Villagomez elected chair of Pacific’s largest power association

Timothy P. Villagomez, executive director of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation (CUC), was unanimously chosen to lead members of the Pacific Power Association (PPA) into the next millennium.

During the three-year term, Villagomez will help the 61 public and private electric companies improve customer service policies, public relations, develop safety, technical and executive education programs and bring new technology to Pacific utilities.

Although Villagomez was not able to attend the conference, his appointment was accepted by Rosario Elameto, chair of the CUC board of directors.

In a speech, Elameto thanked the engineers and chief executive officers for their vote of confidence. She said the Commonwealth’s utility helped create the PPA which until now is committed to the Association and is deeply gratified that delegates chose Villagomez as their new leader.

“We share confidence in Timothy, and we share your enthusiasm,” Elameto said.

PPA met for its 8th annual conference in Pohnpei last Aug. 21st through Aug. 28th, which was participated in by the CNMI, Guam, FSM, Tuvalu, American Samoa, Hawaii, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, French Polynesia, and other island nations, as well as the United States, Germany, and Japan.

PAP was formed nine years ago which was then under the direction and leadership of the United Nations Energy Assistance Program. The association goals include sharing technical information about vendors from the US, Asia, Australia and the Pacific, development of a data base of information about each utility; and creation of united policies and improvement of the reliability and customer service of all Pacific utilities.

The association likewise voted to hold the annual PPA conference permanently on Saipan every ‘even year’ that an island nation is not able to meet tourism standards and accommodation.

Next year’s conference will be held in Yap, and in Fiji, where the PPA headquarters is located, in the year 2001 and every ‘odd year’.

Beginning 2002, the PPA conference will automatically revert to Saipan, if no other island utility confirms sponsorship. Delegates agreed that it is the “Pacific Way” to travel to and share cultural assets and to examine utility operations in each nation.

Boasting an annual base of 200 delegates, many smaller island-nations cannot met the qualifications for the huge lecture series, trade show and tourism event.

Saipan is highly favored for reasonable costs, organizational ability, large conference accommodations, and daily flights. Guam delegates conveyed interest in hosting the conference in 2002. The delegates affirmed the jester, but confirmed that Saipan would be selected thereafter should Guam or other islands are not able to host the events.