The Benefits of Becoming a Member

By joining NGA, you will become part of a growing and innovative industry association.

Safety/PSMS

Safety is the gas industry's number one priority.

Learn more about our commitment to infusing Pipeline Safety Management Systems in everything we do.

Training & Qualification

Learn more about the Training and qualification programs currently being offered by the Northeast Gas Association (NGA)

The NGA is the Northeast gas industry's voice in supporting the safe, reliable, efficient and affordable delivery of gas energy to customers as a continuing part of an environmentally responsible energy future. 

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Leadership Development

In partnership with Rutgers University and Bryant University, NGA is pleased to bring back its professional development program: Leadership in Tomorrow's Utility.

 

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Who should attend?

We have designed two programs to meet the continuous education needs of new and aspiring supervisors, managers and mid- to upper-level managers. This is also an opportunity for those who are new to the industry to enhance their understanding of the unique regulatory framework and enhance their professional network.

What's the format?

The programs open with in-person sessions, 2-4 virtual sessions, and conclude with an in-person session. The in-person sessions are held at Rutgers University's Camden, NJ campus and Bryant University's Smithfield, RI Campus.

What can students expect?

A highly interactive learning experience featuring industry executives and subject matter experts. The sessions will impart essential leadership experience and diverse industry and management knowledge.
You will also gain additional knowledge and an enhanced understanding of the trends and conditions impacting the Northeast energy industry.
Finally, you'll join a network of industry-rising professionals with similar responsibilities and a shared desire to succeed. Create lasting relationships with industry professionals from companies in the Northeast.

Leadership I Program - For New and Aspiring Managers

Leadership Development I at Bryant University - located at 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield RI 02917  - returns this fall!

Leadership Development I - Fall 2026 Program

  • Tuesday, September 22nd (on campus - 8:30-4:00PM):
    • Introductions
    • Understanding Behavioral Styles to Improve Communication
    • Understanding the Utility Bill
    • Innovation in the Utility Industry
    • Economic Outlook of the Energy Market
  • Wednesday, September 23rd (on campus - 8:00-3:00PM): 
    • Emotional Intelligence
    • Effective Meetings
  • Tuesday, October 6th (Virtual Lunch & Learn 1:00 – 3:00PM):
    • Motivational Leadership
  • Wednesday, October 7th (Virtual Lunch & Learn 1:00 – 3:00PM):
    • Motivational Leadership
  • Tuesday, October 20th (on campus 8:30AM-4:30PM):
    • Power and Influence
    • Public Relations & Communications in the Natural Gas Industry

    • Risk
    • Regional Infrastructure Development: An Update from Enbridge
  • Wednesday, October 21st (on campus 8:30-2:30PM):
    • Professional Business Communications
    • Leading High Performing Teams
    • Closing Ceremonies

Registration:

Please head over to our member portal to register. Should you have any questions, please email events@northeastgas.org for help.

Registration Rates:

Members - $3,095

Non-Members - $4,820

If you need a hotel room, Bryant recommends the following:

Lincoln Courtyard Marriott
Hampton Inn & Suites Providence/Smithfield

Leadership II Program - For Mid to Upper-Level Managers

Leadership Development II at Rutgers University - located at 227 Penn Street
Camden, NJ - returns this fall!

Leadership Development II Fall 2026 Program:

In Person Learning Sessions

  • September 8, 2026 (12:00PM – 4:00PM)
    • Registration, Lunch, Networking
    • Welcome & Program Overview
    • Industry Trends: Natural Gas Supply & Regulatory Dynamics
    • Understanding your style, Learning Styles, Indentifying your Strengths
    • Leadership Frameworks
  • September 9, 2026 (9:00AM – 4:00PM)
    • Team Dynamics
    • Empathy
    • Generative AI/Prompt Engineering Workshop
    • Resilience
    • Time Management/Meeting Management
    • Project Management
  • September 10 (9:00AM – 12:00PM)
    • Industry Trends
    • Managing Change/Continuous Improvement
    • Introduction to Program Project

Virtual Learning Sessions

    • Virtual Session 1: October 6, 2026 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM) Industry Trends: Sustainability & Emerging Energy
    • Virtual Session 2: November 10, 2026 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM) Industry Trends: Labor Management 
    • Virtual Session 3: December 8, 2026 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM) Industry Trend: Emergency Management
    • Virtual Session 4: January 12, 2027 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM) Industry Trend: Safety Management Systems

Program Captone – In Person

  • February 9, 2027 (9:00AM – 4:00PM)
    • Registration, Lunch, Networking
    • Welcome & Program Overview
    • Coaching/Human Capital Development
    • Strategic Communications
  • February 10, 2027 (9:00AM – 4:00PM)
    • Industry Trends (Government Relations)
    • Risk Management
    • Analysis and Decision Making
    • Personal Brand
    • Project Presentation – Practice Sessions
  • February 11, 2027 (9:00AM – 12:00PM)
  • Project Presentations

Registration:

Please email events@northeastgas.org for help with registration.

Registration Rates:

Members - $3,295

Non-Members - $5,145

If you need a hotel room, Rutgers recommends the following:

  Hilton Garden Inn Hotels in Camden, NJ - Find Hotels - Hilton
 

Executive Leadership Development

This new Executive Leadership Program is designed to equip senior executives with the strategic,
operational, & transformational leadership capabilities required to guide their organizations through
this pivotal era for the natural gas industry. Don’t manage the energy evolution - Lead it!

Transformative Blend of Learning Experiences: Two intensive 2.5-day in-person executive sessions provide deep immersion and high-value networking. Focused monthly Virtual Executive Forums, and Peer Learning Circles deliver ongoing application and peer support throughout the year. Sessions will be taught by industry thought leaders, policymakers, and executives. 

This program is for new and existing senior leaders including vice presidents and presidents.  

For questions or to apply contact Alana Daly, Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Policy, at adaly@northeastgas.org.

NGA has booked a room block with a discounted rate available to all attendees, at the Westin Waltham. For overnight accomodations, please click here. This link will expire on October 15th. 

Program Overview & Curriculum

Month 1 - Executive Institute I: Leading Self, Leading Others, Leading the Enterprise

Day 1- November 4, 2026 (Waltham, MA)

Time

Topic

11:00 AM

 Welcome & Program Overview

José Costa, President & CEO, Northeast Gas Association

11:30 AM

Ethics, Accountability and Organizational Structure

Instructors:
Kathy Boden, Senior Vice President, Gas Operations, Consolidated Edison (retired)
Jim Howe, Owner, Bay Utility Associates, LLC

12:30 PM

 Networking Lunch

1:15 PM

Ethics, Accountability and Organizational Structure (continued)

Instructors:
Kathy Boden, Senior Vice President, Gas Operations, Consolidated Edison (retired)
Jim Howe, Owner, Bay Utility Associates, LLC

3:15 PM

Adjourn – Check into hotel

4:30 PM

GUILD of Gas Managers

Guest Speaker: Jeremy McDiarmid, MA Department of Public Utilities Chair

 Day 2 – November 5

Time

Topic

9:00 AM

Executive Leadership, People, Organizations

Instructors:
Bill Akley, President, Gas Business, Eversource Energy (retired)
Jim Howe, Owner, Bay Utility Associates, LLC

12:00 PM

Lunch & Networking Break

12:45 PM

Developing & Leading High Performing Teams

Instructor: Susan Clancy, Executive Coach, Integrative Leadership Strategies, LLC

2:45 PM

Networking Break

3:15 PM

Critical Decision Making

Instructors:
Bill Akley, President, Gas Business, Eversource Energy (retired)
Jim Howe, Owner, Bay Utility Associates, LLC

5:15 PM

Adjourn

6:15 PM

Leadership Dinner & Fireside Chat with a current industry chief executive

Utility CEO Invited 

 Day 3 - November 6

Time

Topic

9:00 AM

Enterprise Leadership Alignment

Instructors:
Bill Akley, President, Gas Business, Eversource Energy (retired)
Kathy Boden, Senior Vice President, Gas Operations, Consolidated Edison (retired)

11:00 AM

Recap & Looking Ahead: Overview of the rest of the program

11:30 AM

Adjourn

Month 2

December 9th: 90-Minute Live Session Peer Learning Circle: Work through current leadership challenges with an industry executive as facilitator

December 16th: 90-Minute Live Session Virtual Executive Forum #1: Positioning Utilities for Long-Term Success

Month 3 

January 13th: 90-Minute Live Session Peer Learning Circle: Work through current leadership challenges with an industry executive as facilitator

January 20th: 90-Minute Live Session Virtual Executive Forum #2: Scenario Planning and Strategic Thinking with ScottMadden

Month 4 

February 10th: 90-Minute Live Session Peer Learning Circle: Work through current leadership challenges with an industry executive as facilitator

February 17th: 90-Minute Live Session Virtual Executive Forum #3: Executive Decision Making Under Pressure with Nick Stavropoulos, President & COO, PG&E (Retired)

Month 5
 
March 10th: 90-Minute Live Session Peer Learning Circle: Work through current leadership challenges with an industry executive as facilitator 
 

March 17th: 90-Minute Live Session Virtual Executive Forum #4: Crisis Leadership: Superstorm Sandy with Craig Lynch, Senior Vice President of Energy Delivery, New Jersey Natural Gas (Retired)

Month 6

April 14th: 90-Minute Live Session Peer Learning Circle: Work through current leadership challenges with an industry executive as facilitator

April 21st: 90-Minute Live Session Virtual Executive Forum #5: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Leadership

Month 7 - Executive Institute II: Leading Transformation & Creating Lasting Impact

Day 1 –  May 11, 2027 (NYC Metro Area)

Time

Topic

12:00 PM

Welcome Reconnect Lunch

12:30 PM

The Future of the Natural Gas Industry: A Presentation & Roundtable Discussion with industry executives

Michael Colpoys, President, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation
Scott Rupff, President, Iroquois Pipeline Operating Company (invited)

2:30 PM

Networking Break

3:00 PM

External Dynamics: Stakeholder Engagement

Instructors:
Bill Akley, President, Gas Business, Eversource Energy (retired)
Kathy Boden, Senior Vice President, Gas Operations, Consolidated Edison (retired)

5:00 PM

Adjourn

6:00PM

Leadership Dinner & Fireside Chat

Former New York State Public Service Commissioner (invited)

Day 2 – May 12

Time

Topic

9:00 AM

Executive Finance Non-Financial Leaders

Instructors:
Mark Kahrer, Senior Vice President, New Jersey Natural Gas Company
Kathy Boden, Senior Vice President, Gas Operations, Consolidated Edison (retired)

12:00 PM

Networking Lunch

1:00 PM

Executive Finance Non-Financial Leaders (continued)

Instructors:
Mark Kahrer, Senior Vice President, New Jersey Natural Gas Company
Kathy Boden, Senior Vice President, Gas Operations, Consolidated Edison (retired)

2:00 PM

Financial Market Outlook Presentation & Visit to Ratings Agency

Speaker: Gabe Moreen, Mizuho Securities

4:30 PM

Adjourn

6:00PM

Leadership Dinner & Fireside Chat with a utility CEO

Utility CEO Invited 

Day 3 – May 13

Time

Topic

9:00 AM

Crisis Planning Leadership

Instructors:
Bill Akley, President, Gas Business, Eversource Energy (retired)
Kathy Boden, Senior Vice President, Gas Operations, Consolidated Edison (retired)

12:00 PM

Networking Lunch

1:00 PM

Strategic Integration Commitments & Roundtable Discussion

Instructors:
Bill Akley, President, Gas Business, Eversource Energy (retired)
Kathy Boden, Senior Vice President, Gas Operations, Consolidated Edison (retired)

3:00 PM

Recap & Looking Ahead: Overview of the rest of the program

Adjourn

Month 8

June 9th: 90-Minute Live Session Peer Learning Circle: Work through current leadership challenges with an industry executive as facilitator

June 16th: 90-Minute Live Session Virtual Executive Forum #6: Managing Regulatory and Legislative Relationships

Month 9

July 14th: 90-Minute Live Session Peer Learning Circle: Work through current leadership challenges with an industry executive as facilitator

 July 21st : 90-Minute Live Session Virtual Executive Forum #7: The Importance of the Union Partnership

Month 10 

August 11th: 90-Minute Live Session Peer Learning Circle: Work through current leadership challenges with an industry executive as facilitator

August 18th: 90-Minute Live Session Virtual Executive Forum #8: Leadership with the Customer in Mind with Thomas P. Meissner Jr., Chairman of the Board & CEO, Unitil Corporation

Month 1-11 Individual Coaching Session: This is an additional optional component where individuals will work through challenges with a trained coach on a monthly basis. 

Month 11 – Program Concludes at the NGA annual Executive Conference, September 12-14, 2027! 

Registration Rates: Members - $5,995 Non-Members - $7,995

For questions or to apply contact Alana Daly, Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Policy, at adaly@northeastgas.org

Registration is limited!

To register please visit: NGA's Member Portal and/or email events@northeastgas.org.
For questions please email Alana Daly at adaly@northeastgas.org and events@northeastgas.org.