Nominations Open: 2026 emPOWERing Young Professionals Award

The Gulf Coast Power Association is thrilled to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 emPOWERing Young Professionals Award. This is your opportunity to recognize an exceptional leader under 40 who is making a real difference in the electric power industry.

Who Should Be Nominated?

We're looking for industry professionals who embody the qualities that drive our sector forward: **career growth, innovation, demonstrated leadership, and a commitment to developing others**. Whether they work for a utility, a generation company, a market operator like ERCOT or MISO, or a state regulator, if they're under 40 and actively shaping the future of power markets and industry excellence, they deserve to be recognized.

Meet Our Past Recipients

Since launching this award in 2018, GCPA has celebrated eight outstanding young leaders whose contributions are shaping the future of the electric power industry:

2025: Blake Holt
2024: Werner Roth
2023: Michael Lee
2022: Ian Haley
2021: Alexandra Williams
2020: David Maggio
2019: Katie Coleman
2018: Rebecca Zerwas (inaugural recipient)

These recipients represent the caliber of talent and excellence within our community. From regulatory leadership to market innovation, from mentoring peers to driving organizational success, each honoree has demonstrated the qualities we celebrate with this award.

Why Nominate?

This award does more than honor achievement—it amplifies impact. Recipients gain industry-wide recognition at GCPA's Fall Conference, connect with other rising leaders, and become part of a growing community of professionals committed to advancing the power sector. For nominators, it's a chance to acknowledge colleagues and mentors whose work inspires you.

How to Nominate

The nomination process is straightforward and takes just a few minutes:

• If you're nominating someone: [Submit the nominator form]
• If you've been nominated: [Complete your nominee information]

Both forms are required for a complete submission. Nominees must also attach a current resume.

Eligibility

• Nominee must be under 40 at the end of 2026
• Active member of GCPA, or employee of ERCOT, MISO, SPP, or the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUCT)
• Cannot be a past recipient of this award

Timeline

• Deadline: Friday, July 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM
• A special awards committee will review all nominations and select the 2026 recipient, who will be honored at GCPA's 41st Annual Fall Conference.

Ready to Nominate?

Don't wait—the nomination window is limited. Think about the young professionals in your network who are driving innovation, mentoring others, and contributing to market success. Those are the leaders we want to celebrate.

Have questions? Reach out to Mary Armstrong for more information.

The emPOWERing Young Professionals Award is part of GCPA's commitment to recognizing and developing the next generation of leaders in the electric power industry. Thank you to the award committee volunteers and our members who champion emerging talent.