Mason PUD 3 has earned two national awards recently: the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Safety Award for Excellence for safe operating practices, and the Government Financial Officers Association’s (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the PUD 3 annual report.
“As part of our core values and vision, PUD 3 prioritizes safety and stewardship,” PUD 3 CEO Annette Creekpaum said. “These awards show that those priorities go beyond a mere statement and are woven into our efforts every day.”
More than 200 utilities entered the annual Safety Awards for 2024 through APPA. The entrants are placed in accordance with their number of worker-hours and ranked based on the most incident-free records and overall state of their safety programs and culture during 2024, according to APPA. PUD 3 earned a “Diamond” level award, the highest level that can be achieved.
PUD 3’s 2023 Annual Report, released in 2024, is the 20th in a row for which PUD 3 has earned the GFOA certificate of achievement. The annual report is posted on the PUD 3 website.
“As a public utility, financial stewardship and transparency are paramount,” PUD 3 CFO Sherry Speaks said. “Our annual reports show not just the bottom line but also much of the detail, thought, and background behind our financial decisions. We are proud to receive 20 years of recognition, and we aim to continue earning these recognitions with accountable practices that honor our customers.”
According to GFOA, PUD 3’s annual financial report was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.
Photo info: (First/left photo) The Accounting and Finance team from PUD 3 poses for a group photo. (Second/right photo) Journeyman metermen Carlton Sessoms, Shiloh Downer, and Andrew Wilford hold the APPA Safety Award.
