Meeting/Event Information

Ever wondered how electricity gets from the source to your home? Substations are the pivotal hubs where electricity is transformed, boosted, and dispatched to power cities, industries, and communities. But what does it take to build and manage these complex power hubs?

Join PMI Maine and Central Maine Power (CMP) for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the strategic project management driving substation projects across Maine. Learn how CMP's expert Project Management Professionals oversee and execute multi-million-dollar substation builds, navigating every stage from Initiation and Planning to Execution, Monitoring, and Closure.

This event will provide a deep dive into active substation projects like Forest Ave, Biddeford Pump, and Rock Row. Gain insights into the key project management techniques that keep these critical infrastructure projects on track.

Whether you're a seasoned project manager or simply interested in how massive electrical projects come to life, this event offers valuable insights into the intricate world of substation project management. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with professionals who bring Maine’s power grid to life, one substation at a time!

CMP Presenters for this event:

Jeremy Pettengill, Manager - Substation Projects, is a Certified Project Management Professional who has worked at Central Maine Power Co. since 2019 and has been in the Electrical Utility Industry since 2011. He's held his PMP since 2015 and, currently, leads a high functioning team made up of Project Managers, Construction Managers, Electrical Engineers and Schedule Cost Controllers that manage complex multimillion dollar substation projects from the Initiation Phase right through Closure. The projects themselves can range from traditional equipment upgrades to complete substation rebuilds (brownfields) within an existing energized site, to brand new substation builds (greenfields) at a new site. In his free time, he is a basketball, baseball and football coach for a local AYS program, and he enjoys camping and side by side riding with his family.

Brendt Corcoran, Senior Project Manager, is a Certified Project Management Professional with over 15 years of experience supporting the power delivery sector.   Starting with electrical contractors in the execution phase of the project, he is now responsible for the full life cycle of substation projects at Central Maine Power.  Previously he's been a part of infrastructure projects in the New England region including Generation, Transmission, Substation and Distribution.  He was part of the storm restoration efforts in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.  He enjoys the challenge of leading a complex team of subject matter experts toward a common goal.  Brendt believes that communication is the key to a successful project.

Jamie Willett, Director Substation Projects,is the Director of Substation Projects at Central Maine Power with 20 years of experience in the electrical and power industry.  Jamie has worked for CMP since 2020 and has held his PMP since 2021. Jamie has enjoyed managing many different projects over the years including Wind Park construction, subsea cable installation, and heavy moveable structures.  Jamie is a firm believer that proper planning and a good team are keys to successfully executing a project and being able to react to challenges along the entire project lifecycle.

Chad Kennie, Project Manager, is a Certified Project Management Professional who has been managing projects at Central Maine Power Company since 2017. With 35 years of experience in drafting, design, engineering, and management, he is uniquely qualified to lead technical project teams. Chad believes that building trust and being honest are the foundations of a project's success. He maintains that effective leadership of others begins with the ability to lead oneself, which involves taking personal responsibility and setting a good example. In his free time, Chad enjoys playing and producing music, connecting with nature, and spending quality time with his family.

Courtney Gwostz, Project Manager, has been an employee at CMP in the Substation Department since December 2021. Her education started with studying radiology however she found a more diverse career path in 2012 and now has an extensive construction/management background. Courtney's goal is to receive her PMP certificate within the next year. Her leadership technique is a mixture between visionary, democratic, and coach. Being happy daily is important to her; it has an affect on a person's productivity. Courtney enjoys spending time with her family, watching hockey, cooking, exploring the outdoors, and reading.

Darrel Speed, Project Manager, is a Project management Professional with over 25 years of experience.  15 of those years have been in renewables & electric substations.  Darrel was born and raised in Central Maine and a is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Maine. He currently resides in Southern Maine where he and his wife have raised 4 children.  His biggest thrill as a PM is seeing a project go from an idea on paper to full completion.  In addition, he loves to mentor younger, less experience co-workers and empowering them to not to be afraid of making decisions.  Everyone makes mistakes, it is what we learn from them that is important.

Dipo Togonu-Bickersteth, Project Manager, has been working with CMP in the Substation Projects Unit since 2020. Coming from a background in the finance industry, the challenge of working in the electrical industry has been something that he has enjoyed due to the culture of collaboration within the team. He has a more collaborative approach to the execution of projects and is constantly seeking out the knowledge of the various subject matter experts on the team. In his spare time he enjoys watching movies, puzzles, watching and playing soccer and spending time with his family.

Hector Bencomo, Manager Substation Projects, is a Power System Electrical Engineer with more than 25 years of experience working within the electric utility industry supporting power substation projects from 115 kV up to 800 kV. He has worked at Central Maine Power Co. since 2019, prior to that, he worked at Iberdrola Engineering and Construction in Venezuela for 7 years and previously 13 years at CORPOELEC (National Electric Utility) in Venezuela.  Currently, leads a team made up of Project Managers, Construction Managers, Electrical Engineers and Schedule Cost Controllers that manage complex multimillion dollar substation projects from the Initiation Phase right through Closure. The projects themselves can range from traditional equipment upgrades, to complete substation rebuilds (brownfields) within an existing energized site, to brand new substation builds (greenfields) at a new site. In his free time he likes to enjoy baseball, soccer and traveling  with his family.

Joshua Fogg, Project Manager, is a new addition to the CMP Substations Team.  He comes most recently from the pulp and paper industry, but spent the bulk of his career working in the offshore oil and gas industry as a Licensed Engineer where he has worked U.S. domestic as well as abroad.  Josh is an alumnus of both Maine Maritime Academy and Central Maine Technical College and currently holds a USCG Chief Engineer License.  For the past few years, he has volunteered his time as a wrestling coach at all age levels.  Josh happily looks forward to expanding is knowledge in the power industry and furthering his experience as a Project Manager on the Substations Team. 

William Dawe, Assistant Project Manager - At a young age Will spent every summer in Maine, learning various woodsman outdoor techniques from his late Grandfather, at the age of 14 he hiked the Maine parts of the Appalachian Trail, solidfying his outdoor enthusisum. After the Military and completing his Bachelors in Environmental Science from Ohio State University. Will moved back to Maine and served his community as a volunteer firefighter of 10 years, also taking a management job in the telecommunications field for 15 years, Will also enjoys helping his community by being on the the Town Planning Board along with being one of his county's Dedimus Justices and volunteering in various other activities.