PR 22 12 BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022
CONTACT: Tom Conning, BPA, 503-230-2832
or 503-230-5131
North Salem High School alumna honored by BPA for exceptional leadership in public service
Award cites extraordinary contributions and service to the Pacific Northwest
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Bonneville Power Administration presented Melissa Millard, Salem native and graduate of North Salem High School, with the agency’s Unsung Hero Award as part of its 2022 Administrator’s Excellence Awards program. BPA’s CEO and Administrator John Hairston hosted the virtual awards ceremony on Aug. 17.
Millard, now a Vancouver, Washington resident, has been with the federal power marketing administration that serves the Pacific Northwest for more than 30 years, focusing largely on leading process improvements within BPA’s Supply Chain organization. The Unsung Hero Award specifically honors employees who make steadfast, essential contributions to the agency through consistent effort and a positive attitude, while maintaining low visibility.
This year’s virtual ceremony celebrated 31 award recipients, 26 individuals and five teams, who embody the 2022 AEA theme Energizing, Electrifying, Empowering. They are people who consistently demonstrate their willingness to identify challenges, develop solutions and invigorate the workforce and BPA’s mission.
BPA recognized Millard, manager of the Technology and Strategic Planning group, for her ability to successfully step into various leadership roles across the supply chain where she willingly spearheads any effort, problem-solves process improvements and achieves high-stake project goals. Notably, Millard led and delivered the overhaul of an aging enterprise asset management system used throughout the agency under budget and on time.
“It truly is an honor to receive this award,” said Millard. “We couldn’t have accomplished as much as we had without all the participation of the many people across many different BPA organizations. Thank you to everyone who painstakingly contributed, and most importantly, for completing your task lists. I look forward to my next chapter at BPA and all of the opportunities and successes that await.”
Millard started her career at BPA in 1989 as a contractor supporting supply chain procurement before becoming a federal employee in 1999. While continuing her career at the agency, Millard attended WSU Vancouver and graduated with a bachelor’s in business administration in 2005.
“I’m proud to work alongside so many talented, committed, creative and caring individuals like Melissa,” said Administrator Hairston. “Her can-do attitude to lead in times when people or programs are in distress inspires colleagues and executive leadership alike to bring their best and ensure BPA successfully serves the Northwest.”
Millard and the other AEA recipients are some of the people behind the power that have enabled BPA to keep the lights on in the Northwest for more than 80 years, even in the most challenging times.
AEA historically is the organization’s most anticipated workforce recognition event of the year. In the past, the event took place at BPA’s headquarters in Portland, Oregon. In 2020, the event went virtual for the first time due to the state and agency’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
About BPA
The Bonneville Power Administration, headquartered in Portland, Ore., is a nonprofit federal power marketer that sells wholesale electricity from 31 federal dams and one nuclear plant to 142 Northwest electric utilities, serving millions of consumers and businesses in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, western Montana and parts of California, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. BPA delivers power via more than 15,000 circuit miles of lines and 259 substations to 490 transmission customers. In all, BPA markets about a third of the electricity consumed in the Northwest and operates three-quarters of the region’s high-voltage transmission grid. BPA also funds one of the largest fish and wildlife programs in the world, and, with its partners, pursues cost-effective energy savings and operational solutions that help maintain affordable, reliable and carbon-free electric power for the Northwest. www.bpa.gov.
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