AUSTIN, TEXAS (June 13, 2023) — The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) today presented the 2023 Thomas F. Farrell, II Safety Leadership and Innovation Award to CenterPoint Energy Vice President of Safety and Technical Training Al Payton; Florida Power & Light Company Senior Director of Fleet Services Joe Suarez; and Duke Energy.

The recipients were selected for the following achievements across three categories:

• Member Company Executive: CenterPoint Energy Vice President of Safety and Technical Training Al Payton for his leadership of the EEI Occupational Safety and Health Committee and Executive Advisory Committee.
• Member Company Employee Leader: Florida Power & Light (FPL) Company Senior Director of Fleet Services Joe Suarez for enhancing safety for the electric power industry with his novel implementation of FPL’s load management system.
• Organization Award: Duke Energy for its Mobile Observation Vehicle and Equipment Solution, which enables remote examinations for high-risk activities and engineering inspections.

Named after former Dominion Energy executive Tom Farrell, who passed away in April 2021, the award recognizes the contributions of leadership and innovation to the advancement of safety in the energy industry. Farrell served as Dominion Energy’s chairman, president, and CEO from 2007 to 2020. Recipients of the award are selected by a panel consisting of leadership from the labor, contractor, and academic communities; regulatory agencies; and EEI senior leadership.

“EEI’s member companies remain committed to following Tom Farrell’s example of advancing the energy industry through health and safety policies and technological innovation,” said EEI President and CEO Tom Kuhn. “They continue to raise the bar in safety for EEI member electric companies by developing innovative evidence-based solutions to real-world challenges. This year’s winners are very deserving of their awards, and I commend them all for leading by example on safety.”