General Program Information
The Energy School 2012: May 20-25
Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia
Program Objective
The Energy School program is intended to enhance and develop the risk management skills of staff members by providing an intensive and challenging forum of various aspects of energy risk management. The program is for risk management professional staff, and is designed to provide these individuals with knowledge and skills necessary to perform and adapt amid the challenges of the industry. Creating an environment that fosters knowledge sharing, applied learning, introspection, interaction, and camaraderie toward personal and professional development is the overarching objective of this program.
Background
Jack Wesley, former President/CEO of the OIL Group of Companies, headed a search in late 2007 to locate an educational institution as an academic partner for The Energy School. He and his counterparts, the President's/CEO's of the other energy mutual companies...the late David Hadler of Energy Insurance Mutual (EIM), David Ripsom of the Nuclear Energy Insurance Limited (NEIL), had conceptualized, sponsored, and launched the first The Energy School program in May 2007 at the Bauer School of Management at the University of Houston. A six-member steering committee comprised of two members from each of the sponsors, provided direction and guidance through the developmental process. The program was successfully launched from May 6-11, 2007, but the Bauer School was unable to accommodate the program for 2008. Mr. Wesley and the sponsors, were aware of Saint Joseph's University's Academy of Risk Management and Insurance, and initiated discussions and meetings with the University. With strong experience and excellent facilities for conducting executive education, with a venue situated in one of the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S., and with the competence, reputation, and resources of its AACSB Internationally-accredited Haub School of Business, Saint Joseph's University is honored to have been selected by the program sponsors as the new academic home of The Energy School.
Program Process
As you will see from the program itinerary on the website, The Energy School is an intensive program that is designed to engage program participants in thought, information exchange, and dialogue from the classroom sessions to the case study team meetings in the evening. Participants will gain the benefit and value of the knowledge, experience, and insights offered by academicians, expert practitioners, and industry leaders. The program is designed to offer theoretical foundations upon which participants can apply what has been learned in practical, real-world situations.
Program Leaders
Mr. Sam Cupp, Executive-in-Residence, Instructor, and Board Member of the Academy of Risk Management and Insurance, is the faculty advisor and facilitator for The Energy School program. The staff of the Haub School of Business Center for Professional Development will provide administrative and logistical support for the program. The program sponsors who approved the program and funded a major portion of the program fee for participants are: Scott Goodell of EIM, David Ripsom of NEIL, and Robert Stauffer of OIL, who are President and CEO of their respective organizations, with guidance from their colleagues Jill Dominguez (EIM) and Gail Pantry (OMSL/OIL) and Bruce Sassi (NEIL). A Steering Committee consisting of representatives of the three sponsoring companies has provided support, guidance, and consultation in creating The Energy School 2012 program. They are: Stacey Frey (PPL), Debbie Gaffney (Southern Co.), Bob Harper (BHP Billiton), Graham Kirk (OMSL/OIL), Joe Navarro (Pepco), Bruce Sassi (Chair), and Bob Semet (Exelon, retired).
Dress Code
Dress code for the program is business casual.
Materials/Equipment
Participants will receive at registration a program binder containing the program presentations and materials. Cases will be available electronically for the participants to access in advance of the program. Four laptop computers will be available (one for each team); access to computers may be limited so participants may want to bring their laptops if desired.
Project Teams/Case Studies
Participants will be assigned a group number in advance of the program. On opening night (Sunday), participants will join the other group members. Each team will work on case studies throughout the week. The cases will be available electronically for the participants to access in advance of the program. The cases should be reviewed prior to the start of the program before the program as a pre-assignment. All participants will work on the "Old Sparky" case starting after dinner on Sunday, and each team will present that case on Monday morning. Each group also will be assigned on Sunday a segment of the "Bombastic" case, which they will work throughout the week, and present on Thursday morning. Each team will work on one other case during the program; participants will know in advance of the program the case on which they will be working. Participants should contact Sam Cupp (scupp@sju.edu, 610-660-1669) with any questions regarding program content or the cases studies. Finally, each participant will be asked to write a case study on an ethical issue, and submit that about two weeks prior to the start of the program (instructions forthcoming). Program faculty will select cases those submitted that will be used for the "Ethics" module held on Wednesday afternoon. The teams may be reassigned for this module.
Hotel/Visiting Philadelphia
Reservations have been made for you at the City Avenue Hilton. The hotel is located about two miles north of Saint Joseph's University, which is situated on the southwest edge of the city proper. A registration table will be set-up outside room at the hotel where the welcome reception and opening dinner will be held. Below is the contact information for the hotel: Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue, 4200 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 215-879-4000, 215-879-9020 (fax). A roundtrip shuttle service will transport the participants between the hotel and the University each day. Participants will meet in the hotel lobby each morning. Check the program itinerary for times. Please note on the program itinerary that we are arranging for a site seeing event near Center City Philadelphia preceding the scheduled reception and dinner at the National Constitution Center. The hotel is about a 10-15 minute cab ride from the center city section of Philadelphia, where you can see and experience much of the city's historic, cultural, and entertainment offerings. In addition to the hotel amenities, there also are pubs and shopping centers within walking distance of the hotel. The concierge or desk attendant can assist you. As with visiting and touring any major city, particularly for the first time, please use good judgment, and be aware of your surroundings.