DPU Public Relations Manager Cathy D’Anna. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

After spending three years as a Senior Management Analyst at the Los Alamos Community Services Department, Cathy D’Anna returned to the department where she started her career at Los Alamos County.

In November, D’Anna began her new position as the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Public Relations Manager. She replaced Julie Williams-Hill, who was hired as the new County Public Information Officer.

“It feels great,” she said. “It feels like coming home. Everyone has been so welcoming, and I am excited for what’s to come.”

DPU Manager Philo Shelton spoke of D’Anna’s return to DPU.

“We’re excited to have her back in the department and to have her expertise … her experience with the department (and) understanding of our budget, our utility operations and wealth of knowledge she brings to the department,” Shelton said.

D’Anna explained she had worked in DPU for 12 years. During that time, D’Anna was the departmental technical expert for the billing and work order system, compiled and managed the department’s budget, and audited the Power Pool invoices between the County and the Department of Energy.

D’Anna describes DPU as “a great department” that is full of camaraderie. She is particularly pleased to be in the role of Public Relations Manager because it is a chance to utilize her journalism degree.

“My passion is the English language,” she said.

One of the first challenges on D’Anna’s work plate is the education effort for the Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI). She explained that the customer portal for the smart meters is expected to be available in the next couple of months.

“I think it will be a handy tool for them if there is enough public outreach to show them how to use it,” D’Anna said. “Otherwise, they might not take advantage of the benefits of AMI.”

Additionally, D’Anna will be assisting with DPU’s water and energy conservation plans, Shelton said.

D’Anna added she be working closely with the new Water and Energy Conservation Coordinator, which is a position that will be filled soon.

Additionally, D’Anna said she would like to focus on building DPU’s social media presence because it’s an effective way to reach, inform and educate people quickly.

To have an effective presence on social media, “you have to figure out a way to make it more inviting to people and give just easy snippets,” she said.

While excited for the opportunity to be DPU’s Public Relations Manager, D’Anna said she feels she has a lot to live up to.

“I have some big shoes to fill,” she said. “Julie Williams-Hill did a wonderful job … it is a little intimidating…”

D’Anna grew up in Albuquerque and moved to Los Alamos in 1996. She worked at the laboratory and then for a company called Real Trends Media, which is a resource for Realtors.

When not at work, D’Anna said she and her husband enjoy trail running with a local group.

She has two grown children, Sarah Kirkland and Alex Kirkland, as well as two step-daughters, Samantha and Ashley D’Anna.