SMUD Conference Generates Stonger Business Partnerships
Decemeber 8, 2009

On December 8, 2009, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and The Federal Technology Center hosted more than 300 business owners who wanted to make connections with SMUD buyers and suppliers. Attendees learned more about SMUD’s planned green programs, such as smart meters and smart grids, and SMUD’s sustainable power initiative. They also learned about a new large construction project, the East Campus-Operations Center, located at Bradshaw and Kiefer Roads in Rancho Cordova, California, that will grow the utility’s capacity to conduct its operations into the 21st century.

Renée Taylor, SMUD Board of Directors representative for Ward 1, introduced Keynote Speaker, Dr. Sanjay Varshney, Dean, College of Business Administration at Sacramento State University. Dr. Varshney provided a realistic overview of local, national and international economics as they relate to the business sector.

A SMUD Procurement Panel discussed how to do business with SMUD and upcoming opportunities. They also responded to numerous questions submitted by the audience.

John DiStasio, General Manager and CEO of SMUD, was the lunch speaker and discussed “Greening the Local Economy.” He reinforced that SMUD is moving in exciting new directions regarding use of green technologies and establishing public/private partnerships.
The capstone for the event was the 3rd Annual Power Player Awards, hosted by Master of Ceremonies, Gary King, Chief Workforce Officer, SMUD. Those receiving the coveted award were:

• ARB, Inc., Lake Forest, CA
• Arrow Construction, Sacramento, CA
• HD Supply, Benicia, CA
• Kortick Manufacturing, Hayward, CA
• Maloney & Bell General Construction, Rancho Cordova, CA
• Power Systems Distributing, Carmichael, CA
• TDP Construction Services, Inc., Sacramento, CA
• UMS Group, Parsippany, NJ
• Doug Veerkamp General Engineering, Inc., El Dorado, CA