NEWS
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Hopewell Junction Resident Honored As New York Power Authority’s 2007 Black Achiever Contact: April 16, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WHITE PLAINS—Aisha Kutter, program manager for the New York Power Authority’s (NYPA) Peak Load Management Program, has been named the Power Authority’s 2007 Black Achiever. She was recognized for improving NYPA’s efforts to estimate its customers’ energy use, known as load forecasting, allowing NYPA to more accurately arrange for their energy needs. "Aisha's significant accomplishments in load forecasting have improved our insight into the needs of our customers and improved accuracy in predicting their energy use," said Timothy S. Carey, president and chief executive officer, NYPA. "By helping the Power Authority to set a higher standard for short- and long-term forecasting, Aisha has shown how deserving she is to be NYPA’s 2007 Black Achiever in Industry." As a member of the Power Authority’s customer load forecasting group, Kutter’s work centered on advancing the methods and technologies used to analyze historical use, weather and other variables to better forecast customers’ energy use. Forecasting serves as an important element during the summer, when the Peak Load Management Program—which Kutter now administers—encourages New York City customers through financial incentives to decrease energy use. The program participants reduced peak-demand by about 80 megawatts last summer, helping to relieve the electric system strained by air-conditioning and other needs. Kutter was honored at the Harlem YMCA’s 37th Annual Salute to Black Achievers in Industry dinner last month in New York City. The fundamental aim of the National Salute to Black Achievers in Industry is the recognition of African Americans who have made outstanding contributions as members of the corporate community and to present them as role models. “I am continually pleased and grateful for having been given the opportunity to take on ever increasing challenges within the Customer Load Forecasting Group and NYPA overall,” said Kutter. “I am honored to have been nominated and selected as the Power Authority’s Black Achiever in Industry and look forward to the challenges ahead.” Hired in 2002 as an entry-level forecast analyst in the Marketing and Economic Development business unit, with no previous electric utility experience, Kutter distinguished herself by quickly mastering a newly-installed short-term forecasting system and improving it by adding new functions related to peak-load estimation and long-term load forecasting. In the process, she acquired fluency in two new software languages (Structured Query Language and Visual Basic for Applications) normally the domain of Information Technology database administrators and programmer analysts. Her initiative and contributions have been rewarded with three promotions. In 2003, Kutter was promoted to level 1 load forecast analyst and she advanced in 2004 to a level 2 load forecast analyst. She began to take on her current duties as program manager of Peak Load Management in October 2006, which culminated in her promotion to that position in 2007. For Kutter, this represents a career move into administration with a significant increase in job responsibilities, further recognizing her “can do” attitude and outstanding performance. In nominating Kutter for this honor, her supervisors highlighted her great work attitude especially when faced with challenging situations and her positive working relationships with colleagues. Kutter received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Marist College in 2000. Kutter’s team spirit also resonates in the Westchester community where, along with her husband, Jim, she has volunteered with the Peekskill Paramount Arts Center, coordinating benefit concerts, and helping to implement and maintain a newly redesigned website. About NYPA: ■ NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. ■ NYPA is a leader in promoting energy-efficiency, new energy technologies and electric transportation initiatives. ■ It is the nation’s largest state-owned electric utility, with 18 generating facilities in various parts of the state and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. |
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