Celebrating Tomorrow's Energy Leaders: The emPOWERing Young Professionals Program
The electric power industry is experiencing unprecedented transformation. From renewable energy integration to grid modernization, the challenges and opportunities facing our sector require fresh perspectives, innovative thinking, and dynamic leadership. At the Gulf Coast Power Association (GCPA), we recognize that the future of our industry lies in the hands of today's young professionals—which is why we're proud to champion emerging talent through our emPOWERing Young Professionals program.
Recognizing Excellence Under 40
The emPOWERing Young Professionals award celebrates individuals under 40 who are actively shaping the electric power landscape. These rising stars don't just participate in our industry—they drive market success, champion innovation, and demonstrate the leadership qualities that will guide us through the energy transition ahead.
What sets our honorees apart? They contribute meaningfully to their employers' success while advancing the broader electric power market. They invest in developing other industry professionals and take on leadership roles in projects that move our profession forward. In essence, they embody the collaborative spirit and forward-thinking approach our industry needs.
Werner Roth: A Shining Example
Our 2024 recipient, Werner Roth from the Public Utility Commission of Texas, exemplifies these qualities perfectly. With degrees in both Economics and Chemical Engineering, Werner has spent over a decade making his mark in the Market Analysis Division at PUCT. His colleagues describe him as someone who "truly enjoys delving into complex power market issues" and has developed remarkable expertise through pure initiative and dedication.
Werner's achievements speak volumes about the caliber of professionals this program recognizes. From earning the 2022 Working Group Chair of the Year award in the MISO stakeholder process to becoming the first recipient of the David Carr Award for Outstanding Staff Contributions, he represents the kind of multi-faceted leadership our industry thrives on.
Nominations Now Open for 2025
We're currently accepting nominations for our 2025 emPOWERing Young Professionals Award, with submissions due by Monday, July 28 at 5 PM. The nomination process is straightforward but thorough—we want to ensure we capture the full scope of each candidate's contributions to our industry.
Whether you're nominating a colleague whose innovative approach has transformed your organization, a peer whose mentorship has elevated others, or a young professional whose project leadership has advanced industry objectives, we want to hear about them. The selection committee evaluates candidates based on leadership, innovation, and career growth—qualities that translate directly into industry advancement.
Building Community, One Professional at a Time
What excites us most about the emPOWERing Young Professionals program is how it creates connections within our industry community. When we honor these rising leaders, we're not just recognizing individual achievement—we're strengthening the networks that will drive collaboration and knowledge-sharing for years to come.
The program serves as a platform for young professionals to see themselves reflected in industry leadership and for experienced professionals to identify and support emerging talent. These relationships form the backbone of professional development and industry advancement.
Looking Ahead: The Power of Mentorship
As we celebrate our current emPOWERing Young Professionals program, we're also looking toward the future of professional development within GCPA. The enthusiasm and engagement we see from young professionals like Werner Roth reinforces our belief that structured mentorship opportunities could amplify the impact of emerging talent in our industry.
The relationships between experienced professionals and rising leaders often happen organically, but we're exploring how GCPA might facilitate and formalize these valuable connections. After all, the same collaborative spirit that drives innovation in the electric power market can accelerate professional growth and industry knowledge transfer.
Stay tuned as we continue to develop programming that supports professional growth at every stage of the career journey. Because when we invest in our people, we invest in the future of reliable, innovative, and sustainable electric power.
Get Involved
Ready to nominate an outstanding young professional in your organization or network? Visit the emPOWERing Young Professionals page on our website for nomination forms and detailed instructions. Questions? Reach out to Mary Armstrong at marmstrong@gulfcoastpower.org.
Together, we're not just powering communities—we're emPOWERing the leaders who will shape tomorrow's energy landscape.