Volunteer Recognition: Recognizing the Training & Qualification Committee
This post is part of our Volunteer Recognition series
2026 Spring Committee Meeting (Clifton Park, NY)
The Training & Qualification Committee collaborates on strategies and best practices for operator qualification (OQ) programs, supporting compliance with federal and state requirements. It develops and continuously improves the NGA OQ Framework while providing a forum for sharing approaches, addressing industry challenges, and enhancing training and competency development.
The Training & Qualification Committee provides guidance, oversight, and technical direction for NGA’s Operator Qualification (OQ) and training programs, including coordination with key service providers and industry partners. It is responsible for continuous program improvement, regulatory compliance, and strategic development of training and evaluation approaches, while also facilitating collaboration, sharing expertise, and addressing emerging industry challenges.
Meeting Frequency: This committee meets 3-4 times each year or at intervals otherwise decided by the Committee members.
OQ Round Table 2025 (NH visits to: Unitil, NEUCO, ASTAR)
Other Activities: The T&Q Committee brings plenty of energy beyond the meeting room, members are known to enjoy local trivia, dart competitions, and whatever fun activities the host location has to offer after hours.
Upcoming Events:
- OQ Roundtable 2026 Aug 18th &19th
- T&Q Fall Committee meeting Sept 23rd&24th
Have questions about the Training & Qualification Committee? Contact OQ@northeastgas.org
Recognizing Committee Leadership and Members:
NGA would like to thank the committee members whose efforts support NGA and the northeast natural gas industry.
Thank you to the following:
Chair, Lauren Toczylowski, Gas Regulatory Programs Project Manager, Consolidated Edison Co. of NY, Inc.
Vice Chair, Shana Kane, Manager, Pipeline Safety Management & Training, VGS (Vermont Gas Systems)
Committee Members:
|
Name |
Organization |
|
Allison Brems |
National Grid |
|
John S. Mead |
National Grid |
|
Baiju Kuruvilla |
Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc. |
|
Barry Ellison |
Norwich Public Utilities |
|
Brett Galassi |
Precision Pipeline Solutions, LLC |
|
Charles Dvorak |
Consolidated Edison Co. of NY, Inc. |
|
Craig Piano |
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 15 |
|
Daniel P Francisci |
Kiely Family of Companies |
|
Derek W. Beddows |
Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc. |
|
Ernest R. Grasso |
New England Utility Constructors, Inc. |
|
Francis M. McBrien |
Consolidated Edison Co. of NY, Inc. |
|
Harry B. German |
Corning Natural Gas Corporation |
|
Jamison Carpenter |
Ferreira Construction |
|
Jared C. Stahl |
Hallen Construction Co., Inc. |
|
Jason Afanador |
Kiely Family of Companies |
|
Jeffery D. Spear |
Corning Natural Gas Corporation |
|
Jerry Amato |
Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. |
|
John M DeGregoria |
Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. |
|
Kenneth Walsh |
Network Infrastructure, Inc. |
|
Michael Aliengena |
Eversource |
|
Michael J Brennan |
Consolidated Edison Co. of NY, Inc. |
|
Sephir Hamilton |
Safeway Construction Enterprises, Inc. |
|
Steven W. Joslyn |
Powell Controls, Inc. |
|
Thomas E. Lennon |
Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc. |
|
Thomas Gordon |
I.U.O.E. Local 14‑14B |
|
Timothy J Maguire |
LIUNA Local 731 Training Fund |
|
Vincent C. Jackson |
Utility Line Services, Inc. |
|
William H. Gorman |
TRC |
|
Thomi Emma Lioliou |
Consolidated Edison Co. of NY, Inc. |
|
Joan Porter |
Rhode Island Energy |
|
Linda M Crowley |
Columbia Gas PA / NiSource |
|
Sarah E. Millott |
Eversource |
|
Stacey Kilroy |
UNITIL Corporation |
|
Adam Nehring |
Corning Natural Gas Corporation |
|
Justin Ferremi |
Consolidated Edison Co. of NY, Inc. |
|
Heath Stone |
Valley Energy Inc. |
|
Sarah Chatell |
A.G.I. Construction, Inc. |
|
Toni Steed |
NPL Construction Company |
|
Osvaldo Barbosa |
Feeney Brothers Utility Services |
|
Timothy Gonzales |
Public Service Electric & Gas Company |
|
James Spinello |
Public Service Electric & Gas Company |
|
Edward Kleinke |
LIUNA Local 731 Training Fund |
|
Jim Myzhevych |
Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc. |
|
Gerald Petrolito |
Gray Supply Corp. |
|
Timothy Greene |
Liberty Utilities Co. |
|
Kara Harrington |
T&K Harrington, LLC |
|
Andrew Ferraro |
Laborers Local 60 Training Fund |
|
Richard K Wagoner |
UGI Utilities |
|
Godwin Uwechue |
Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc. |
|
Bryson Isbell |
Everline US |
|
Colin McGrath |
Middleborough Gas & Electric Dept. |
|
Nancy Mitchell |
Village of Hamilton Municipal Gas |
|
Kerry Hummel |
Philadelphia Gas Works |
|
Joseph Durante |
Philadelphia Gas Works |
|
Ronald Dietz |
National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation |
|
Cody Chapman |
Valley Energy Inc. |
|
Michelle Demild |
Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. |
|
Ruben Noya |
Elecnor Hawkeye, LLC |
|
Chris Jerome |
United States Infrastructure Corporation / USIC |
|
Pragati Singh |
National Grid |
|
Peter Perez |
Laborers Local 146 |
|
Brian Roy |
Holyoke Gas & Electric Department |
|
Daniel Burke |
Liberty Utilities Co. |
|
Garrett Sharp |
Liberty Utilities Co. |
|
Larry Cambalik |
Liberty Utilities Co. |
|
Mark W. Garvin |
National Grid |
|
Paul Straniero |
New Jersey Natural Gas Company |
|
Edward E. Rogers |
Valley Energy Inc. |
|
Vito Zuschlag |
Bond Civil & Utility |
|
William Sullivan |
Holyoke Gas & Electric Department |
|
Anthony Coker |
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation |
|
Sergey Wortman‑Vayn |
Public Service Electric & Gas Company |
|
William Flannelly |
Public Service Electric & Gas Company |
|
Jeremy Horning |
UGI Utilities, Inc. |
|
Catherine Thompson |
LaBella Associates DPC |
|
Besuard Vucetaj |
Grace Industries LLC |
|
Joe Ciaramella |
ASTAR |
|
Robert Plewa |
National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation |
|
Tim Wilson |
National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation |
|
Dan Stetson |
Burns Construction Co. |
|
Jim Fox |
AVANGRID |
|
Brian Wallenbeck |
AVANGRID |
|
Sara Priore |
Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. |
|
Salvador Molina |
Elecnor Hawkeye, LLC |
|
Danielle Hayes |
Middleborough Gas & Electric Dept. |
|
Megan T Cyr |
Eversource |
|
John Petrina |
Elecnor Hawkeye, LLC |
|
Drew Pijacki |
National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation |
|
Grace Bencosme |
National Grid |
|
Connor Wells |
New Jersey Natural Gas Company |
|
Alexander Nicholas |
New Jersey Natural Gas Company |
|
Steve O’Neill |
UGI Utilities |
|
Zachary Widener |
Norwich Public Utilities |
|
Rolando Prieto |
RECONN |
|
Jeffrey Masci |
Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc. |
|
Romeo Ruddock |
Public Service Electric & Gas Company |
|
Clennie Halcomb |
Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc. |
|
Enzo Camuglia |
Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc. |
|
Alyssa Xanthis |
Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc. |
|
Timothy James |
Philadelphia Gas Works |
|
Erika Bahr |
Precision Pipeline Solutions, LLC |
|
Johanna De La Cruz |
Rhode Island Energy |
|
Steven Forleo |
Rhode Island Energy |
|
Louis DeMartini |
Hallen Construction Co., Inc. |
|
Mark Payne |
DDS Utilities, Inc. |
|
Casey Barnick |
DDS Utilities, Inc. |
|
Patrick Callahan |
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 15 |
|
Laura Shaw |
AVANGRID |
|
Natasja Giordano |
Eversource |
|
Oghenetega Ogban |
Eversource |
|
Wayne Ackles |
AVANGRID |
|
Kyle G Bennett |
Supreme Industries |
|
Matthew Hopkins |
Network Infrastructure, Inc. |
|
Brian Heshion |
Feeney Brothers Utility Services |
|
Daniel Piche |
Progressive Pipeline Management |
|
Michael F Farrell |
Power and Construction Group Inc. |
|
William Sees |
PECO |
|
Andrew Spahr |
PECO Energy |
|
Donald J. Cordone |
National Grid |
|
Rebecca Dennis |
Valley Energy Inc. |
|
Matthew Hopkins |
Network Infrastructure, Inc. |
|
Austin Wesner |
UGI Utilities, Inc. |
|
Daniel Jackson |
Laborers’ Local 17 Training & Educational Fund |
|
Omar Sanchez |
Laborers Local 60 Training Fund |
|
Alex Mazzola |
South Jersey Gas Company |
|
Nick Simeo |
South Jersey Gas Company |
|
Patrick Samodio |
South Jersey Gas Company |