Sarrina Banks
Manager, Gas Operations

Sarrina is the manager of field support in Bronx Gas Operations. She knows how important it is to provide the best possible service to our customers and understands the role that her staff plays in providing that service. Sarrina volunteers in the company’s Lego League and reading program. She is an active member of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE).

Roberta G. Doremus
Senior Operations Administration Coordinator, Substation Operations

Teamwork is important to Roberta — in working with others, she seeks out input and advice before implementing a plan. She has come up with several productivity initiatives and is always “thinking out of the box,” according to her co-workers at Orange and Rockland. Roberta spends much of her personal time working with the Tallman Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, where she has been active for 48 years.

Stephen G. McCready
General Line Supervisor, Electric Operations

Steve is a “people person,” taking every opportunity to make things better for Orange and Rockland, its customers, and the community. Last year, among other initiatives, he created a tracking system for outstanding departmental issues. Stephen has coached the area’s CYO Basketball league for the past 12 years. On “Super Bowl Sundays” Steve plunges into the icy Hudson River to raise money for local families burdened with medical expenses.

Patrick McHugh
General Manager, Protective Systems Testing

Patrick willingly accepts responsibility and has concern for his customers. As Senior System Operator during the 2003 blackout, Patrick led his fellow operators through the challenging task of restoring the city’s electric system. Patrick coaches Little League baseball and softball, is a marathon runner, and serves as a mentor to new GOLD associates.

Kathleen McMahon
Specialist, Gas Operations

Honest feedback and good communication skills are necessary to mentor new employees, and Kathy provides both. She has trained many individuals in the complex mechanics of gas transmission systems while always emphasizing safety first. An amateur composer, Kathy has written and performed original songs for co-workers’ birthdays, anniversaries, and retirements. She volunteers at her parish rectory and runs a food pantry for the poor.

Carl L. Williams
Commercial Technical Representative, Steam Operations

With almost 50 years of service, Carl is the “face” of Steam Customer and Business Services — he is on a first-name basis with many of Steam’s 1,770 customers. Carl is a volunteer with the company’s Chemical and Biological Warfare Response Team. He works with the Salvation Army serving dinners to the homeless and helps renovate Harlem apartments through the Fresh Air Fund.

2008 Award Recipients

NAACP Cites Con Edison Employee

The New York branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) presented its 2008 Admiral’s Award to Phyllis White-Thorne, Brooklyn Public Affairs.

The NAACP’s Admiral’s Award is bestowed "for services above and beyond the call of duty on the stormy waters of racial and civil injustices."

In addition to being the recipient of many citations for her outstanding community service including the Harlem YMCA’s Black Achievers in Industry award, Channel Thirteen/WNET New York’s Community Leadership award, and recognitions from Goodwill Industries and The Black American Heritage Foundation, Ms. White-Thorne is also a 1994 recipient of Con Edison’s Living Our Values (LOV) award, the most prestigious award given to company employees.

Ms. White-Thorne has worked at Con Edison since 1971. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Iona College, and a Master of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) from Mercy College.

2007 Award Recipients

Joan Jacobs and Robert Brantley Honored as CECONY’s 2007 Black Achievers
Joan Jacobs and Robert Brantley were honored as CECONY’s 2007 Black Achievers at the Harlem YMCA National Salute to Black Achievers in Industry Awards Dinner. Each year, this honor is granted to industry leaders for outstanding professional achievement and exemplary community service. The award, founded in 1971 at the Harlem YMCA, has become a national project with more than 4,000 honorees.

Ms. Jacobs joined CECONY in 2001 as a labor relations administrator and was promoted to director of Equal Employment Opportunity Affairs in 2004, the title she currently holds. Ms. Jacobs holds a degree in law from the University of Windsor and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from McGill University.

Ms. Jacobs is a volunteer mentor with Upwardly Global, a nonprofit organization that helps immigrants, refugees, and people seeking asylum reclaim their careers in the United States. She is also a member of the advisory board of the Sickle Cell Thalassemia Patients Network.

Mr. Brantley is a general manager in Substation Operations. He began his career in 1993 at CECONY in the Assistant Engineering Program before assuming the position of construction supervisor in Electrical Construction. In 1999, Mr. Brantley was promoted to senior planning analyst in Substation Operations. Since then, he has met the challenges of increasing levels of responsibility, most recently as senior system operator, a position he held for three years. Mr. Brantley holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from The Cooper Union and is certified by the North American Electric Reliability Council as a transmission system operator.

Mr. Brantley is a member of the American Association of Blacks in Energy. He has also been a mentor in the company’s new employee-mentoring program and has spoken on career opportunities at many community events and high schools.

Hector Reyes Honored as CECONY’s Hispanic Corporate Achiever
Hector Reyes was named CECONY’s Hispanic Corporate Achiever for 2007 at the annual Circle of Achievers’ luncheon sponsored by the ASPIRA Association, a national nonprofit organization that fosters the social advancement of the Latino community.

Mr. Reyes joined CECONY in June 1976 as a staff accountant. He has assumed leadership positions of increasing responsibility and is currently director of benefits and compensation for Human Resources.
Through their local church, Mr. Reyes and his wife, Marcia, mentor young adults in the community. They counsel young couples about the commitment required to earn the rewards of marriage. Mr. Reyes holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Fordham University and a Master of Science in taxation from Pace University.

ASPIRA is known for its support of Latino youth in their pursuit of educational excellence through leadership development programs. The organization’s name comes from the Spanish verb aspirar, to aspire.

Sanjay Bose Named Outstanding Asian American in Business
Sanjay Bose, vice president, Substation Operations, was honored as one of the 2007 Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business by the Asian American Business Development Center, a nonprofit organization that promotes the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans.

Mr. Bose joined CECONY in 1986. Over the course of his tenure, he has initiated numerous research and development projects to improve processes, reduce costs, and increase electrical system reliability. He is also active in the GOLD program. Mr. Bose received a bachelor’s degree in power electrical engineering from India’s Birla Institute of Technology in 1985.

Hispanic Business Magazine Recognizes Liliana Gonzalez
Liliana Gonzalez, general manager, Gas Operations, was ranked among Hispanic Business magazine’s 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States.

Ms. Gonzalez joined CECONY in 1985 as a management intern, and has held a variety of managerial positions including chief engineer, Design Engineering; director, EEOA; area manager, Protective Systems Testing; and senior system operator, System Operations. Ms. Gonzalez holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Pratt Institute, a Master of Electrical Engineering from Polytechnic University, and completed the Siemens Power Technologies International (PTI) transmission course in 1995.

The 100 Most Influential Hispanics list is drawn from several sources, most notably submissions made by the magazine’s readers and visitors to hispanicbusiness.com, and from people whom the magazine’s editorial and research staff have noted in the past year. The magazine recognizes people who contribute to their communities or professions and those who raise the bar in whatever they do. Ms. Gonzales joins an impressive roster that includes two astronauts, a NASA engineer, and the writer of the latest Star-Trek film.

Wilton CedeÑo Honored at the United Nations
Wilton Cedeño, director, Information Resources, received a 2007 Defining Trends in Latino Culture Trendsetter Award, presented at the United Nations. The award recognizes leaders who hold themselves to the highest of standards and best define the Latino experience in America.

A 21-year company veteran, Mr. Cedeño is responsible for the information systems for gas operations, power plants, substations, engineering, and risk management. He previously served as general manager for Staten Island Electric Operations, plant manager of CECONY’s Hudson Avenue generating station, and as a senior transmission- and distribution-system operator.

Mr. Cedeño has a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Columbia University. He is a graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School and serves on the school’s alumni foundation. Mr. Cedeño is currently chairman of the national board of directors of the American Association of Blacks in Energy and is former president of the organization’s New York Metro chapter. He is also founder of the company’s co-op high school intern program.

Mary Jane McCartney Named One of the Most Influential Women in New York City Business
Mary Jane McCartney, senior vice president, Gas Operations, was cited as one of Crain’s New York Business’ 100 Most Influential Women in New York City Business, joining fellow honorees including celebrity chef Rachel Ray, Metropolitan Museum of Art president Emily Rafferty, and Zagat Survey co-founder Nina Zagat.

Ms. McCartney has served as head of Gas Operations at CECONY for the past 14 years. She is responsible for gas delivery to 1.1 million homes and offices in New York City and Westchester. During her tenure, begun in 1993, natural gas usage has increased 150 percent.

In addition to the positive effect natural gas has had in helping CECONY reduce CO2 emissions, Ms. McCartney has shepherded innovations such as introducing robotic gas-pipe sealers to minimize disturbances on New York City’s streets.

YWCA of the City of New York’s Academy of Women Leaders Salutes Christine Colletti
The YWCA of the City of New York’s Academy of Women Leaders Salute offers companies an opportunity to honor top women executives for their outstanding professional achievement, civic commitment, and leadership. Honorees are nominated by their corporations and inducted into the academy, a dynamic and distinguished network of more than 3,000 accomplished women professionals. Christine Colletti, director, Rate Engineering, was CECONY’s choice for this prestigious recognition at the 2007 salute luncheon.

The Academy of Women Leaders Salute luncheon is the YWCA’s primary fundraiser and continues to be the nation’s largest and most visible tribute to executive women. With nearly 1,000 people in attendance, the luncheon is also the largest and most prestigious of its kind in support of women’s leadership in New York City.