Portland, Oregon: September 20-24 and October 18-22, 2010
(A two week program)
Willamette University Portland Center [Map]

Over 100 utility managers have participated in Willamette University's unique management training experience designed exclusively for the utility industry. Now in its fifth year, the Executive Development Center of Willamette University's Atkinson Graduate School of Management is pleased to present the Utility Management Certificate program (UMC) once again. This professional development opportunity is designed specifically for people working in management in electric or gas companies, for managers who are new to the energy industry, and for staff members with significant experience in the energy industry who want to move into management or who have been identified by their companies as candidates for management.

This highly interactive and integrative training program emphasizes and develops management theories and skills as applied to the utility industry. It provides substantial coursework in managing regulations, stakeholders, IT and human resources, opportunities and risks, as well as understanding a utility from a financial standpoint. Participants will receive instruction from industry and management experts and will have opportunities to learn and think strategically. They will then have two team projects, which helps them learn as much from each other as from their instructors, will complete a self-assessment of their team and leadership styles, and will receive coaching on improving their teamwork.

As part of the program, all participants study risk management at their own utilities. Many exercises are based on case studies of real or hypothetical utilities. When four or five participants come from the same utility, they will have the opportunity to focus an integrative, strategic planning team exercise on their employer and make a presentation to an executive when they return to their offices. Maximum enrollment in the program is 28. All who successfully complete the 10-day course of study, delivered over two, five-day periods spread across two months, will be awarded four semester hours of academic credit.

Read the Northwest Public Power Association's Article on the UMC Program