History

Program history

The University of Idaho Energy Executive Course was launched in 1954, when alumnus Robert Sessions, personnel director at Idaho Power Company, approached the university to design an educational program to help utility managers develop a leadership perspective and accelerate their transitions to executive responsibility.

Renowned economist Erwin Graue led a team in creating the course, with the eight founding Northwest utility companies, sending 33 utility managers to the University of Idaho campus to launch the Public Utilities Executive's Course:

• British Columbia Electric Company, Ltd.  
• California-Pacific Utilities Company
• Idaho Power Company
• Montana Power Company
• Pacific Power and Light Company
• Public Service Company of Colorado
• Utah Power and Light Company
• Washington Water Power Company

Now in its 73rd year, the Energy Executive Course has earned a worldwide reputation as the premier industry-driven executive education program designed specifically for energy leaders.