This year’s Opening Session of the 2005/2006 IEEE PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition is focused on Rebuilding the Gulf Coast. Through their personal comments of individuals who have participated in the massive ongoing reconstruction of the Gulf Coast, attendees at the Opening Session will learn firsthand of the struggle of those who endured the storms and hurricanes of 2005.

Participating in this special Opening Session segment are: Dr. Marc Levitan, Director of the Hurricane Center at Louisiana State University; James Varney, Staff Columnist, New Orleans Times-Picayune newspaper; Bruce Martin, Fire Chief, City of New Orleans-Department of Administration; Patty Riddlebarger, Director of the Office of Corporate Social Responsibility at Entergy; Bill Benedetto, Regional Customer Service Manager, Entergy-Baton Rouge; Mike Carter, Dallas Region Distribution Manager, TXU Electric Delivery; Mike Marullo, President and Director of Research and Consulting, InfoNetrix; Lee Welch, Senior Engineer, Georgia Power; Jim Bishop, Utility Manager, Curtis H. Stout Co.; and Kay Wilkins, Chief Executive Officer, Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Opening Session: Monday, May 22, 8:00 am, Ballroom A, Dallas Convention Center.