Forging New Paths Together: Embracing ‘All Hazards’ in Utility Emergency Management

Utilities today face an expanding array of threats, from natural disasters to cyberattacks, increasing the already urgent need for preparedness. Navigating this landscape requires a delicate balance between resilience and cost-effectiveness while fostering collaboration across all organizational tiers and with external partners at the federal, state and local levels. Each organization grapples with its distinct challenges, demanding customized emergency management solutions. Join resilience expert Don Daigler as he leads a panel discussion on current utility emergency management practices, delving into innovative approaches that go beyond traditional storm response to address “all hazards”, organizational alignment, and other critical topics.

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Panel Moderator:

• Don Daigler, Resilience Executive Consultant, Chartwell, Inc.

Don Daigler is the current CEO and Founder of Resilience Advisory Services, LLC a company specializing in the advancement of resilience efforts across critical infrastructure sectors. Mr. Daigler is a former electric industry and public sector executive with more than 40 years of leadership experience and broad background in working with public and private sector organizations on issues relating to homeland security, defense and intelligence, emergency management, critical infrastructure protection and advising on the advancement of technology to support those functions.

Mr. Daigler was previously the Managing Director of Business Resiliency for Southern California Edison (SCE), one of the nation’s largest electric utilities.  In this role he led the company’s emergency management, business continuity, hazard assessment and mitigation, wildfire management and meteorology programs along with other corporate resiliency initiatives.

Prior to joining SCE Mr. Daigler was the Director of Response Planning for the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington, DC where he directed all the agency’s emergency response planning efforts. He also led the agency’s chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives programs along with the National Hurricane Program and Geospatial Program.

Additionally, Mr. Daigler has filled various leadership roles for the Department of Energy’s, National Nuclear Security Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Environmental Protection Agency in the areas of nuclear counterterrorism, research and development, health physics, and nuclear weapons testing. He also served in the United States Air Force and has a Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior University in Albany, NY.

 

Panelists:

 

• Jenny Pearce, VP Reliability Assurance and Emergency Preparedness, Avangrid

Jenny Pearce joined Avangrid in Fall 2022 as Vice President of Reliability Assurance and Emergency Management.  In this role Jenny is responsible for leading the Emergency Management program for Avangrid’s 8 electric and gas utilities throughout New York and New England. She also oversees the companies’ North American Electric Reliability Coordination (NERC) federal compliance program for protecting the bulk electric system. 

Previously Jenny worked at FEMA and the Dept. of Health and Human Services developing National Policy for Emergency Preparedness.  Prior to joining Avangrid she was with Southern California Edison for 8 years focusing on building All Hazards Resiliency for electric utilities.

Jenny has a Master in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Stonehill College.  She currently lives in Maine with her two boys, and husband and in her free time enjoys working in the garden and being outdoors.

 

• Angie Gibson, VP Emergency Preparedness and Response, PG&E

Angie Gibson is a seasoned professional with a passion for developing world-class emergency management organizations. With a BS in Public Safety Management and a Disaster Science Fellow, Angie has dedicated her career to advancing collaborative relationships across the utility industry, public safety, and risk management communities.

At PG&E, Angie manages the execution of the four phases of Emergency Management – Planning, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery – across the enterprise. Leading a team focused on developing and executing robust emergency management concepts and strategies, Angie leverages public sector emergency frameworks to support all aspects of emergency management principles for customers, shareholders, and stakeholders. Her responsibilities include overseeing Business Continuity, All Hazards Planning, Training and Exercising, the 24/7 Hazard Awareness Warning Center, and PG&E’s Geoscience team.

Angie’s career highlights include developing PG&E’s Electric Operations Public Safety Program, serving as the Finance Section Chief for the San Bruno incident, and leading as Plans Chief for various high-profile incidents such as Superstorm Sandy, the Napa Earthquake, the Valley Fire, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria, and the October Wildfire Atlas Fire. Her leadership as Plans Chief and Night Shift EOC Commander has been instrumental in managing these complex emergencies effectively.

 

• Jason Regg, VP Security and Resilience, TVA

With over two decades at Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Jason began in 2003 as an Environmental Technician. In 2009, he served as Senior Manager of TPS Right of Way, where he ensured the low cost, safe, compliant, and reliable delivery of power through effective management of TVA’s transmission right of way program.

In 2017, he took on the role of Director of Material Operations, overseeing warehouse operations, fleet vehicles, transportation, and the investment recovery program. His responsibilities included managing inventory, shipping, receiving, and ensuring inventory accuracy.

Jason’s leadership skills were further recognized when he became the Director of Customer Strategy and Support in 2019, focusing on enhancing customer experience and support strategies. In 2021, he transitioned to Director of Central Safety, where he implemented and oversaw safety protocols across TVA operations.

Currently, as VP of Security and Resilience, Jason leads TVA’s efforts in aviation, including fixed-wing, helicopter, and UAS teams. He also oversees TVA Police, Emergency Management, and Enterprise Resilience, ensuring the organization’s security and resilience in the face of challenges.

Jason is an Army veteran and holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology from the University of North Alabama.

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