The Consultant Quarterly Newsletter, January 2009 Happy New Year! From Your Friends at Salmon Ventures Fred Butler Elected President of NARUC Salmon Ventures is pleased to announce that our longtime friend and colleague, NJ BPU Commissioner Fred Butler, was elected to serve as President of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). Commissioner Butler was elected by the Association’s membership at their Annual Conference held the week of November 17th in New Orleans. “Having known Fred Butler for over 25 years, it was truly an honor to witness his swearing in ceremony to assume the presidency of NARUC,” said Dr. Salmon, Chairman of Salmon Ventures. “What a great honor for Fred, for the New Jersey BPU, and for our state. This election provides a special opportunity for New Jersey to play a key role in setting the NARUC agenda and establishing policies From left to right: Kim Schalek Downes, Jim Sullivan, that regulate utilities across America.” Toody Sullivan, Commissioner Fred Butler & Richard Mroz As President of NARUC, Commissioner Butler will provide general oversight of the Association and serve as its primary voice, leading NARUC before Congress, the courts, and administrative agencies. Commissioner Butler was first appointed to the New Jersey BPU in 1999. He has served on several NARUC committees, including his chairmanship of the Ad Hoc Committee on Climate Change, and the International Relations and Water committees. “Dr. Salmon, Richard Mroz and I are thankful for our continued working relationship with Commissioner Butler, both at the NJ BPU and now in his new capacity,” said Kim Schalek Downes. “We know that he fully understands the challenges facing the business, industrial and regularity sector in New Jersey and the nation.” From left to right: Jim Sullivan, Toody Sullivan, Commissioner Fred Butler & Dr. Edward H. Salmon Quarterly Newsletter Page 1 The Consultant Quarterly Newsletter, January 2009 Salmon Ventures Opens New Trenton Office Salmon Ventures Ltd. is pleased to announce the opening of our new Trenton Office located at 128 West State Street. Maintaining an active voice and presence in our State’s Capitol is fundamental to meeting the needs of our clients. Our new Trenton Office, ideally located on State Street, will greatly enhance Salmon Ventures’ ability to participate in and stay informed with New Jersey’s governmental, legislative and regulatory arenas. Our location in Millville, NJ will still continue to serve as our Main Corporate Office, so all correspondence should be directed there. We sincerely hope that our increased presence in Trenton will better help us serve our clients on a daily basis. Dr. Salmon Re-elected President of NARUC Commissioners Emeritus At NARUC’s 120th Annual Convention in New Orleans, NARUC President Fred Butler announced the re-election of Dr. Edward H. Salmon to serve for an eighth term as President of NARUC’s Commissioners Emeritus. This organization of former state public utility commissioners from around the country was formed in 1979 to serve as a resource and network for the former NARUC commissioners, officers, and members. Dr. Salmon served six years as a state utility regulator and three years as President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. During his six years of activity with the NARUC he served as Vice President of NARUC, President of Great Lakes Conference (16 states), Chairman of NARUC Executive Committee, and Founder of the Washington Action Committee. In addition, Dr. Salmon was on the Board of Directors for the National Regulatory Research Institute and National Society of Rate of Return Analysts. Dr. Salmon spent 26 years in government as a former Mayor, Freeholder Director, State Legislator and member of the Governor’s Cabinet. SVL Launches New Website We are delighted to announce the launch of our newly redesigned Salmon Ventures website. The updated site provides biographies of our key staff members and associates, an overview of our firm’s services and a representative list of our clients and affiliations as well as some informative resources to LATEST NEWS National Consulting Services for Businesses, Utilities, Government government, utility and business groups. We hope Agencies, Educational Institutions, Healthcare Organizations and Trade Groups that the new site will better enable Salmon Oct. 24, 2008 Salmon Ventures Ventures to provide its clients and potential clients Opens New Office in Salmon Ventures Ltd. is a New Jersey-based firm that provides national consulting services to utilities, State Capitol government agencies, school districts, trade organizations, and businesses. Salmon Ventures has assembled with our professional services. a professional team whose members are recognized for their accredited experience in the water, energy, communication, transportation, gaming, finance and real estate industries as well as local, county and state levels of New Jersey government. Achieving success in today's governmental, legislative, and regulatory arenas is a complex and constantly changing challenge that requires a united effort. Whether the task is issues management, strategic advice, regulatory strategy, governmental relations, successful legislation or business development, the capabilities of our team will assure success. Salmon Ventures understands the current, anticipates the future, and provides solutions in a changing world. The link to our website is: www.salmonventures.com Quarterly Newsletter Page 2 The Consultant Quarterly Newsletter, January 2009 White House Fellows Program Holds Annual Seminar in Washington, D.C. SVL President Richard S. Mroz, a member of the President’s Commission on the White House Fellowships since May 2007, attended the White House Fellows Foundation and Association’s Annual Seminar and Luncheon at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC on October 24, 2008. The annual meeting and seminar highlighted emerging issues in U.S. policy and provides an opportunity for all former and current White House Fellows to meet and share ideas on these matters. Mr. Mroz and the other Commissioners were honored at the Annual White House Fellows Alumni & Commissioners Luncheon. “I continue to be tremendously impressed by the current and former White House Fellows,” said Mr. Mroz. “They have helped shape policies of this country and the current class is doing this on a daily basis at the highest level of the government. They are a testament to our continued emphasis to encourage the best and brightest to serve in government.” Founded in 1964, the White House Fellows program is America's most prestigious program for leadership and public service. White House Fellows typically spend a year working as fulltime, paid special assistants to senior White House Staff, the Vice President, Cabinet Secretaries and other top-ranking government officials. The Commission, comprised of citizens representing a broad range of backgrounds, interests, and professions, interviews and recommends individuals for the year long Fellowship program to the President. In addition to being present at the White House Fellows’ annual seminar, Mr. Mroz has also been invited to the White House Annual Christmas Party for the past two years and attended again From left to right: Mr. Richard Mroz, First Lady Laura Bush, this December, as pictured left with the President President George W. Bush & Mrs. Lynne Mroz and First Lady. SVL Hosts 4th Annual Union League Breakfast with Speaker Joe Roberts th Dr. Ed Salmon hosted the 4 Annual Breakfast Briefing with Speaker Joe Roberts at the Philadelphia Union League on Monday, November rd 3 . The invitation-only event was a huge success and well attended by a number of New Jersey’s key business and industry leaders. Speaker Roberts provided an insider's view on the economic challenges that New Jersey currently faces, the outcome of Decision 2008, and the upcoming 2009 Gubernatorial and Legislative races. New Jersey is fortunate to have a Speaker who possesses such high levels of experience, integrity and political leadership. From left to right: Patrick Gill, Speaker Joseph Roberts & Dr. Edward Salmon at the 4th Annual Union League Breakfast Briefing Quarterly Newsletter Page 3 The Consultant Quarterly Newsletter, January 2009 John Adler Wins Seat in U.S. Congress Salmon Ventures is excited to congratulate NJ State Senator John Adler for his historic victory in the race to be elected U.S. Representative of the 3rd Congressional District of New Jersey. On November 4, 2008, Senator Adler defeated Republican Chris Myers to win the Congressional seat left vacant by outgoing Congressman Jim Saxton. Senator Adler’s historic win makes him the first Democrat to represent what is now the 3rd District since 1885, and only the second Democrat since the Civil War. We at Salmon Ventures have the utmost confidence that Congressman-Elect Adler will continue to add to his career of exemplary public service as he represents New Jersey’s citizens in Washington. We are honored to From left to right: Kim Schalek Downes, Congressman-Elect have played a part in making his campaign a John Adler & Dr. Salmon at the End of Summer Party for success. John Adler hosted by Ed & Marilyn Salmon at their home in Ocean City, NJ on September 20th. Dr. Salmon to Chair Hughes Center Steering Committee Dr. Salmon has been invited to chair the Steering Committee at Richard Stockton College’s William J. Hughes Center of Public Policy. In its mission statement, the Hughes Center aims to strengthen the voice of South Jersey in the statewide public discussion on governmental, social and economic issues. The Steering Committee will serve as a leadership team and “think tank” that oversees the Center’s events and forums relating to these issues. Its membership includes residents, business leaders, and current and former government officials. The Hughes Center is named after William J. Hughes, former U.S. Representative and Ambassador to Panama, who Dr. Salmon describes as “the epitome of integrity, honesty and hard work as a public official.” In addition to the Ambassador and Dr.