Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

Award-Winning OCC Staff

Janine Migden-Ostrander named
“Public Servant of the Year” by the OEC

Citing her commitment to the potential cost savings that clean energy can produce for customers and the achievement of negotiating more than $100 million in cost- and energy-saving benefits for Ohio’s residential consumers, Consumers’ Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander was named “Public Servant of the Year” by the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) in late October. She was presented with the award at the OEC’s Annual Reception and Awards Ceremony held at The Fawcett Center at The Ohio State University.

“I am honored to receive this recognition, which represents the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel’s commitment to ensuring that our state focuses on the cost savings for residential utility consumers and job growth potential of energy efficiency and renewable power,” said Migden-Ostrander. “With the likelihood of stronger federal pollution regulations, protecting the environment and providing the lowest cost electricity to customers are complementary goals.”

“Ohio’s Consumers’ Counsel is being recognized for making connections and strides to protect consumer utility rates and the environment,” said Jack Shaner, public affairs director at the OEC. “When it comes to clean energy’s potential to save customers money, shrink greenhouse gas emissions, and grow new jobs, Ohio’s consumers – and the environment – have never had a better advocate than Janine Migden-Ostrander.”

Naming Migden-Ostrander “Public Servant of the Year,” OEC recognized several of her recent accomplishments, including:

• Green pricing programs – The Consumers’ Counsel worked with Ohio’s top three power producers – American Electric Power, Duke Energy and FirstEnergy – to offer customers a green pricing program.

• Energy efficiency programs – The Consumers’ Counsel helped negotiate more than $100 million in energy efficiency program investments by Duke Energy and FirstEnergy.

• Support for a renewable portfolio standard – As Consumers’ Counsel, Migden-Ostrander supports a standard of a renewable portfolio for Ohio, to help diversify how energy is produced.

• Advocacy for an energy efficiency portfolio standard – The Consumers’ Counsel recognizes that energy efficiency is a far less costly option than any supply-based energy option that would require the building of new power plants. An energy efficiency portfolio represents Ohio’s best opportunity to manage and deflect rising costs to keep service affordable for customers.

OCC Senior Attorney David Bergmann Wins Two National Telecommunications Awards

The OCC is proud that one of its longest-serving attorneys, David Bergmann, was honored with two national awards in 2007. Mr. Bergmann, who also serves as the Chair of the National Association for State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) Telecommunications Committee, received the “Outstanding Service Award,” the first of its kind, from NASUCA. As highlighted by Consumers’ Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander, “His passion for helping to protect consumers has spread across the country through his role as a key organizer of federal telecommunications work performed on behalf of the nation’s telephone consumers.”

Mr. Bergmann’s other national honor came as he received the 2007 Golden Phone Award from the nonprofit organization Community Voice Mail. Since 1991, Community Voice Mail has worked to provide free voice mailboxes to consumers in crisis. Examples include domestic violence victims who need a secure way to communicate, and the homeless who use the voice mailboxes as contact numbers when searching for housing and employment. The organization currently serves 41,000 people in over 400 cities each year through 39 sites across the country, including the Cleveland area.

Community Voice Mail honored Mr. Bergmann for his support as well as his assistance to the group with complex issues involving the federal Universal Service Fund and the Lifeline portion of the fund, which makes basic telephone service more for low-income consumers.

The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) greatly values the diligence and commitment of its staff. During the year outstanding individuals are recognized by their coworkers and rewarded for outstanding service to the agency. For the twelfth consecutive year, the OCC recognized individual employees, and named an “Employee of the Year.” During fiscal year 2007, the OCC staff nominated their peers based upon specific criteria relating to their job performance, professionalism, work product and teamwork. The OCC recognized Patti Mallarnee, Senior Administrative Assistant; Wilson Gonzalez, Senior Regulatory Analyst; Deb Bingham, Case Team Coordinator; and Mike Plemmons, Network Administrator. This year, Wilson Gonzalez was selected the OCC “Employee of the Year.”

OCC Employees of the Quarter for 2007:

Excerpts from employee nominations

Patti Mallarnee – Senior Administrative Assistant

“She is such a pleasure to work with. Patti is a dedicated employee who always goes above and beyond what is asked of her. She is always calm, professional and compassionate. If you need anything, she is there. Patti excels when it comes to aiding ratepayers and always takes pride in her work. She is a major asset to this office. She is highly committed to her position and her many years at OCC prove that! Words that describe Patti include Consistency. Kindness. Dedication. Caring.” – wrote an OCC employee The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) greatly values the diligence and commitment of its staff. During the year outstanding individuals are recognized by their coworkers and rewarded for outstanding service to the agency. For the twelfth consecutive year, the OCC recognized individual employees, and named an “Employee of the Year.” During fiscal year 2007, the OCC staff nominated their peers based upon specific criteria relating to their job performance, professionalism, work product and teamwork. The OCC recognized Patti Mallarnee, Senior Administrative Assistant; Wilson Gonzalez, Senior Regulatory Analyst; Deb Bingham, Case Team Coordinator; and Mike Plemmons, Network Administrator. This year, Wilson Gonzalez was selected the OCC “Employee of the Year.” “She is such a pleasure to work with. Patti is a dedicated employee who always goes above and beyond what is asked of her. She is always calm, professional and compassionate. If you need anything, she is there. Patti excels when it comes to aiding ratepayers and always takes pride in her work. She is a major asset to this office. She is highly committed to her position and her many years at OCC prove that! Words that describe Patti include Consistency. Kindness. Dedication. Caring.” – wrote an OCC employee

Wilson Gonzalez – Senior Regulatory Analyst

“Wilson has a specialized knowledge and expertise that he lends to the agency. Wilson has been the backbone of our energy efficiency and renewable power efforts on behalf of residential consumers. He has worked tirelessly on testimony, plan analysis and research to determine how consumers would best benefit from Demand Side Management and renewable resources.” – wrote fellow OCC employees

Deb Bingham – Case Team Coordinator

“Deb has been described as always exceedingly professional and a pleasure to work with. She is prompt, efficient and uncomplaining. She is a joy to be around! She works hard around here running from one side of the floor to the other. Very dedicated. Deb is extremely well organized, knowledgeable, helpful and keeps many of the teams on track.” – wrote an OCC employee

Mike Plemmons – Network Administrator

“Mike has always been quick to resolve my computer problems. He consistently delivered helpful, immediate assistance, and he treated others with a high level of respect. He is by far the best IT person I have ever worked with. Always a positive attitude with a Smile! Willing to take the time to help with short notice… He always went the extra mile.” – wrote an OCC employee

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