The Resilience Equation: Balancing Infrastructure, Demand, and Mutual Assistance
In an era where “unprecedented” events have become the norm, resilience is no longer a localized goal but a national imperative. This executive panel brings together leaders from across the utility sector to examine the evolving equation utilities must solve to maintain reliability under growing pressure.
Panelists will explore how large-scale mutual assistance networks enable utilities to mobilize crews, equipment, and expertise across regions during major events and what it takes to coordinate those efforts at a national level. The discussion will also examine the realities of large-scale grid hardening investments and how utilities are translating those investments into improved operational readiness and public confidence.
Finally, panelists will address the rapidly widening generation-demand gap, including the implications of accelerating data center growth and electrification. Together, these leaders will discuss how utilities can stay ahead of escalating risks, balancing infrastructure investment, resource planning, and mutual assistance to build a scalable, all-hazards resilience strategy for the future grid.
Moderated by: Carlos Torres, Resilience Executive Advisor, Chartwell Inc.
Carlos has nearly 40 years of utility leadership experience. As VP of Emergency Preparedness & Business Resiliency at Consolidated Edison Inc., he led crisis responses, including 9/11, 2003 Northeast Blackout, and Superstorm Sandy. He was asked to lead Puerto Rico’s power restoration by their Governor after Hurricanes Irma and Maria and has worked with numerous consulting firms advising utilities, and regulators. He has served as board member and senior advisor to various organizations and currently serves on the boards of Disaster Tech Inc. and the All-Hazards Consortium, helping utilities enhance resilience and crisis response.
Panelists:
- Rick Anderson, SVP and Senior Production Officer, East Production Group, Southern Company
Rick Anderson is Senior Vice President and Senior Production Officer for Southern Company Operations’ East Production Group. In this role, he oversees Georgia Power’s diverse generating fleet, including its coal, natural gas, hydro, solar, and distributed generation resources, ensuring Georgia Power’s generating fleet can effectively meet the demands of today and tomorrow. Anderson previously served as vice president of Technical Services in the Southern Company Services organization where his responsibilities included overseeing technical solutions for all generation, and power delivery organizations across Southern Company. He began his Southern Company career in power plant generation in 2001 and has experience across multiple generating facilities at Alabama Power Company, Georgia Power Company, and former Southern Company subsidiary Gulf Power Company. Additionally, he has held leadership positions to include large project management, governance, and oversight responsibilities over major Georgia Power Company programs.
- Zoraya Oliver-Griffin, Chief Climate Resiliency and Emergency Management Officer, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Zoraya leads LADWP’s emergency management and climate resiliency efforts, overseeing preparedness, response, recovery, and the LA28 Olympics Program Office. She’s also responsible for the Department’s recovery of the devastating Pacific Palisades wildfire. Previously, she held leadership roles at Sempra Infrastructure and SDG&E, with expertise in emergency operations, wildfire mitigation, and system resiliency. With over 20 years in the energy sector, she has led programs in operations, wildfire mitigation, and joint venture management. She holds dual B.A. degrees from Pepperdine and studied law at Thomas Jefferson School of Law. A San Diego native, she enjoys hiking and family time.
- Mike Jarro, Vice President Distribution Operations, Florida Power & Light Company
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