emPOWERing Industry Leaders

GCPA Pat Wood Power Star Award

GCPA established the Pat Wood Power Star Award to annually recognize an individual who has made significant contributions to the advancement of competitive energy markets.  The award is named after the initial recipient of the award, Pat Wood III, former FERC and Texas PUC chairman.  Established in 2006, the GCPA Board has selected recipients who have been pioneers and prime movers in advancing competitive energy markets in the region in which GCPA operates. The leadership demonstrated by the recipients has been marked by a dedication and long history of action in evolving our regional power markets.

Meet Brad Jones, our 2023 Pat Wood Power Star Award Recipient

The Gulf Coast Power Association (GCPA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce it has selected Brad Jones as the 2023 recipient of the Pat Wood Power Star Award.  GCPA presents this annual award in recognition of the chosen honoree’s significant contributions towards the advancement of competitive energy markets in Texas. To view the full press release - CLICK HERE.

Past Recipients

Vicki Oswalt - 2022 Recipient

The Gulf Coast Power Association (GCPA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce it has selected Vicki Oswalt as the 2022 recipient of the Pat Wood Power Star Award.  GCPA presents this annual award in recognition of the chosen honoree’s significant contributions towards the advancement of competitive energy markets in Texas. View the full press release here.

Darryl Tietjen - 2021 Recipient

The Gulf Coast Power Association (GCPA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that it has selected Darryl Tietjen as the 2021 recipient of the GCPA Pat Wood Power Star Award. This award is presented annually in recognition of the honoree’s significant contributions towards the advancement of competitive energy markets in Texas. View the full press release here.

Tom Payton - 2020 Recipient

The Gulf Coast Power Association (GCPA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that it has selected Tom Payton as the 2020 recipient of the GCPA Pat Wood Power Star Award. This award is presented annually in recognition of the honoree’s significant contributions towards the advancement of competitive energy markets in Texas. View the full press release here.


Tom Foreman - 2019 Recipient

The Gulf Coast Power Association (GCPA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that it has selected Tom Foreman as the 2019 recipient of the GCPA Pat Wood Power Star Award.  This award is presented annually in recognition of the honoree’s significant contributions towards the advancement of competitive energy markets in Texas.  View the full press release here.

Marcie Zlotnik - 2018 Recipient

The GCPA Board of Directors is pleased to announce that it has selected Marcie Zlotnik as the 2018 recipient of the GCPA Pat Wood Power Star Award. This award is presented annually in recognition of the honoree's significant contributions towards the advancement of competitive energy markets in Texas. View the full press release here.

H.B. "Trip" Doggett - 2017 Recipient

The GCPA Board of Directors is pleased to announce that it has selected H.B. "Trip" Doggett as the 2017 recipient of the GCPA Pat Wood Power Star Award. This award is presented annually in recognition of the honoree's significant contributions towards the advancement of competitive energy markets in Texas. View the full press release here.

John Fainter - 2016 Recipient

John Fainter, retired President/CEO of the Association of Electric Companies of Texas, Inc. (AECT), was the recipient of the 2016 annual Pat Wood Power Star Award in recognition of his significant contributions towards the advancement of competitive energy markets in Texas. View the full press release here.

Bob Webb - 2015 Recipient

Robert "Bob" Webb was the recipient of the 2015 annual Pat Wood Power Star Award in recognition of his significant contributions towards the advancement of competitive energy markets in Texas. View the full press release here.

Judy Walsh - 2014 Recipient

Judy Walsh, ERCOT Board Vice Chairman, was the recipient of the 2014 annual Pat Wood Power Star Award in recognition of her significant contributions towards the advancement of competitive energy markets in Texas. View the full press release here.

John Stauffacher - 2013 Recipient

John Stauffacher, retired Executive Director of Gulf Coast Power Association, was the recipient of the 2013 annual Pat Wood Power Star Award in recognition of his significant contributions towards the advancement of competitive energy markets in Texas. View the full press release here.

Mike Greene - 2012 Recipient

Mike Greene, retired Vice Chairman of Energy Future Holdings, was the recipient of the 2012 annual Pat Wood Power Star Award in recognition of his significant contributions towards the advancement of competitive energy markets in Texas. View the full press release here.

Marianne Carroll - 2011 Recipient

Marianne Carroll was the recipient of the 2011 annual Pat Wood Power Star Award. The award recognizes Carroll’s significant contributions towards the advancement of competitive energy markets in Texas. View the full press release here.

Trudy Harper - 2010 Recipient

Trudy Harper, President of Tenaska Power Services Co. (TPS), was the recipient of the 2010 annual Pat Wood Power Star Award in recognition of her significant contributions towards the advancement of competitive energy markets in Texas. View the full press release here.

Jess Totten - 2009 Recipient

As Director of Competitive Markets at the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC), Jess Totten was the recipient of the Pat Wood Power Star Award in recognition of his significant contributions towards the advancement of competitive energy markets in the Texas. View the full press release here.

John Meyer - 2008 Recipient

As Chairman of the SPP Regional Entity Board of Trustees, John Meyer was the recipient of the Pat Wood Power Star Award in recognition of his significant contributions towards the advancement of competitive energy markets in the Texas region and nationwide. View the full press release here.

Sam Jones - 2007 Recipient

Retired President and Chief Executive Officer of ERCOT Sam Jones was named the 2007 recipient of the Pat Wood Power Star Award in recognition of his significant contributions towards the advancement of competitive energy markets in the Texas. View the full press release here.

Pat Wood III - 2006 Recipient

Former FERC and Texas PUC chairman Pat Wood III was awarded the first annual Power Star Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the advancement of competitive energy markets. The presentation was made at the GCPA Spring Conference held at the Marriott Woodlands Waterway before an audience of approximately 200 industry professionals.

“Wood's guidance and leadership at both the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) and at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in Washington, DC have led to the award.  Mr. Wood has put into practice his belief that competition can do a better job than regulation to deliver customer benefits and service innovation.  Throughout his career, he has worked to advance a pro-consumer, market-oriented vision of regulation,” said John Stauffacher, Executive Director of GCPA as he presented the award.