emPOWERing Young Professionals

The emPOWERing Young Professionals award recognizes individuals under the age of 40 who actively participate in the electric power industry and contribute to the success of their employer, the success of the electric power market, the development of other industry professionals and provide leadership for projects or activities within the electric power profession.

Nominate a Young Professional Who is Making a Difference in Our Industry 

GCPA open nominations for the 2026 emPOWERing Young Professionals Award in Spring 2026.

Questions about the emPOWERing Young Professionals Award? Contact Mary Armstrong.

Meet Blake Holt, our 2025 emPOWERing Young Professionals Award Recipient

Blake Holt - 2025 emPOWERing Young Professionals Award Winner
Blake Holt serves as Director of ERCOT Regulatory Policy at the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), where he oversees the organization's advocacy efforts at ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

With over a decade of experience in the Texas electric power industry, Blake began his career at ERCOT in 2011 and advanced through roles in settlements and market design before joining LCRA in 2023. He has demonstrated exceptional leadership in stakeholder processes, serving as chair or vice-chair of multiple ERCOT committees including the Wholesale Market Subcommittee, Resource Cost Working Group, and Wholesale Market Working Group.

Blake's technical expertise spans market design, analytical tool development, and regulatory policy. He played a key role in significant industry initiatives including the Real-Time Co-Optimization project and provided critical support during Winter Storm Uri. His commitment to developing other professionals and his collaborative leadership style have earned him recognition as a role model for young professionals in the industry.

The electric power industry runs deep in Blake's family - from his grandfather's work as a dragline operator to his father's various roles spanning from lineman to Construction Manager at multiple Texas utilities.

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Past Recipients