May 9, 2016
(VANCOUVER, WA) -- As of today, Elaine Dixon has joined the
Northwest Public Power Association (NWPPA) staff as the incoming director of
education and workforce development. Dixon will fill the vacancy created when
Arnie Winkler, the current director of education and workforce development,
retires on June 30.
Dixon comes to NWPPA with over 20 years of organizational
learning and development experience, and 10 years of experience in the power
industry. Most recently she spent eight years with Marsh and McLennen companies
(Mercer, Oliver Wyman) as the global head of client delivery and then chief
operations officer for the Leadership Development business. Prior to that, she
worked for PacifiCorp/Scottish Power as the director of talent management.
While there, her team provided organizational development, change management,
succession planning, leadership development, learning, and staffing services
for Pacific Power, Rocky Mountain Power, Utah Power, and PPM Energy. She has
also worked for PacifiCare Health Systems and Nike Inc.
“Elaine was the unanimous selection of the interview panel,”
said NWPPA Executive Director Anita Decker. “She has the background and
experience to make sure we don’t miss a beat at delivering value to our members
with our training and educational programs.”
NWPPA members who attended last October’s Women in Public
Power workshop may recognize her name; she consulted with NWPPA on that event.
“I was introduced to NWPPA as a consultant while helping
develop Women in Public Power. During my research, I talked with individuals
across the membership who provided stories about their background and what is
needed to be successful in public power. I was thoroughly impressed by the
experience, competence, agility, smarts, and dedication to the work and the
needs of the community they serve,” said Dixon. “I find the mission of NWPPA to
be compelling and look forward to the opportunity to work with the public power
community.”
Dixon has a bachelor’s degree in industrial organizational
psychology from Western Washington University, a certification in
organizational systems design, and is currently completing her International
Coaching Federation certification.
A Pacific Northwest native from Mount Vernon, Wash., she is
excited to travel the area and visit with our membership.
“I grew up in the Puget Sound area,” she said. “I have been
very lucky to have traveled and worked globally, but I am so grateful for the
opportunity to come home to work across this beautiful part of our world.”
When not working or traveling, Dixon may be found flying
planes.
“A couple of years ago, I checked off a bucket list item by
getting my private pilot license,” she said. “I’d rather fly the plane than
jump out of it!”
NWPPA is excited to have her and her numerous skills with
us!
