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Sept. 10, 2007
This Week’s Boston’s
Future Leader
Penni McLean-Conner
Title:
Vice President, Customer Care
Company:
NSTAR
Education: B.S. in Industrial Engineering, North
Carolina State
Penni currently oversees
NSTAR’s Customer Care organization, working to
improve customer service and promote energy
efficiency. She joined the company in 2002 after
overseeing customer service for both Tampa
Electric and Duke Power. Penni serves on the
board of directors for the Massachusetts
Technology Collaborative, Northeast Energy
Efficiency Partnership, and several other
non-profit organizations. Her first book,
Customer Service: Utility Style, has
just been published by Penn Well Books.
PG: What’s the coolest
part of your job?
PC: "Going green" is such a
hot topic right now and I love being able to
find new and innovative ways to help our NSTAR
customers manage their energy use.
PG: Best piece of career advice
you have ever received?
PC: The best advice
came from Boston's Future
Leaders, where we were told to always
prepare ourselves for the next opportunity. I've
found that opportunities are sometimes
unexpected and other times well planned. If you
are prepared from a developmental perspective,
then you can take advantage when unexpected
opportunities arise.
PG: Who do
you admire in the business world?
PC: Ted Kelly
of Liberty Mutual. Not only because he is a
visionary leader for his company, but because
he’s so active with so many boards and community
organizations. I think the importance of
community involvement by business leaders cannot
be overstated and Ted Kelly sets a great
example.
PG: What is your
favorite thing about working in Boston?
PC: The wonderful
combination of sports, education and people.
PG: Favorite place to take a client for
lunch?
PC: Blue Ginger in Wellesley.
PG: If you
could have any job in Boston, other than your
own, what would it be and why?
PC: I've always
thought that Duck Tour drivers have a fantastic
job. It must be so much fun to showcase Boston's
history to others, and it doesn't hurt when your
job requires you to take a boat ride on the
Charles.
PG: Where do you see yourself in 10
years?
PC: Continuing as a utility executive and
getting more involved in various boards and
organizations working to build a sustainable
energy future.
PG: How can young professionals expand their
networks and increase their impact in Boston?
PC: Getting involved
in BFL is a great way to expand networks, and
getting involved in various community events is
a wonderful way to both give back and meet new
people.
PG: Favorite place to relax after a long
week?
PC: Every Friday night, my husband and I
play golf and enjoy dinner. It's our "date
night."
PG: What reading material is on your
nightstand?
PC: I always have several books
open. I'm reading
Evening for my book club. From a business perspective, I have both
Leadership and Self Deception by The Arbinger
Institute and
In Life, First you Kick Ass by
Mike Ditka. I'm also reviewing a book called
Adoptive Parenting as we prepare to adopt a
little boy from Guatemala.
PG: Tell us something we should know
about you.
PC: My husband and I moved to Boston
from Tampa, FL over five years ago. It has been
a great move. We have found folks in Boston to
be welcoming. We love the
sports and, as an NC State grad, I’m personally
thrilled that BC is in the ACC.
PG: Best place for an
after work drink?
PC: Basil’s in
Medfield.
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For more information on the
Boston’s Future Leaders Program, please contact
Jody Kieval,
director of talent development.
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