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2025 Hurricane & Storm Preparedness Forum
This event is now sold out. There will be no on-site registration.
Code of Conduct | Cancellation Policy
Florida’s public power community is gearing up for another impactful Hurricane & Storm Preparedness Forum! This two-day event kicks off with a Welcome Reception with sponsors on May 6, followed by a full day of sessions on May 7. Expect valuable networking opportunities and member engagement throughout.
The forum brings together public power utilities from across Florida to:
- Share best practices for storm preparation
- Communicate effectively before, during, and after storms
- Utilize mutual aid for efficient power restoration
- Understand FEMA documentation requirements
- Hear expert forecasts for the upcoming hurricane season
Agenda
View Printable Agenda Program
| May 6 | |
| 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Registration Desk Opens |
| 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Pre-Forum Seminar (off-site, optional): JEA's Emergency Operations Center Tour and Demonstration |
| 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Sponsor Reception & Exhibit Hall |
| May 7 | |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM | Morning General Session |
| 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM | Welcome & A Look Back at 2024. Amy Zubaly, Executive Director, FMEA. |
| 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM | Before the Wind: Strategic Preparedness for the Storm. Moderator: Adam Pendley, Manager of Emergency Preparedness, JEA. Panelists: Mike Crow, AGM of Power Delivery, City of Tallahassee; Mike Wagner, AVP of Operations, Kissimmee Utility Authority; Matt Wiita, Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Specialist, JEA. |
| 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM | Refreshment & Networking Break |
| 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM | Eye of the Storm: Command and Control in the Heart of Chaos. Moderator: Elizabeth Bendele, Director of Member Services, FMEA. Panelists: Korey Bush, AGM of Customer Service, Lakeland Electric; Ray Jordan, Electric T&D Manager, Gainesville Regional Utilities; Priscila Zardo, Manager of Operational Technology Projects & Planning, Orlando Utilities Commission; Wayne Zimmerman, Deputy Electric Utility Director, City of Mount Dora. |
| 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM | Lunch & Networking |
| 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Afternoon General Sessions |
| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | 2025 Hurricane Season Outlook. Ben Nelson, Senior Meteorologist, National Weather Service Jacksonville. |
| 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Powering Through the Storm: Communication that Connects in a Crisis. Moderator: Korey Bush, AGM of Customer Service, Lakeland Electric. Panelists: Mike Abendschein, Senior Electric System Operator, City of Leesburg; Cathryn Lacy, Utilities Marketing Manager, Lakeland Electric; Karen McAllister, Public Information Officer, JEA. |
| 3:00 PM - 3:15 PM | Refreshment & Networking Break |
| 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM | The Aftermath: Documentation for Long-Term Financial Recovery and Reliability. Moderator: Amy Zubaly, Executive Director, Florida Municipal Electric Association. Panelists: Peter Brill, Director of Finance and Customer Service, Ocala Electric Utility; Sharon Causey, Senior Analyst, Gainesville Regional Utilities; Cristi Valdes, Manager of Grants Administration Orlando Utilities Commission. |
| 4:15 PM - 4:30 PM | Open Floor Discussion |
| Attendee Registration* | |||
| FMEA Municipal Member | $120. Now SOLD OUT; no on-site registration available. | ||
| *Attendance to this FMEA event is only open to Municipal members and Hurricane Forum sponsors | |||
Exhibiting Sponsorships
These sponsorships were limited to just 10 Associate Member companies and are now sold out. View sponsorship opportunities for other FMEA signature events on our webpage.
FMEA Continuing Education Program
There are 4.5 Hours of CEU available for confirmed attendees, available to you in your FMEA Member Compass by clicking Continuing Education from the menu.
Hotel Information
Marriott Jacksonville Downtown
245 Water Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
800-535-4028
Block rate: $159/night
The group room block is filled. Please contact the hotel directly using the information above to inquire about room availability outside of the group room block.
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