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Name: Amanda Rome
Title: Executive Vice President, Group President Utilities, Chief Customer Officer
Education: Graduated with highest honors from Pennsylvania State University in 2002 with a double major in Advertising and Public Relations and Speech Communication. Graduated Cum Laude from Georgetown Law School in 2006.
Company Description: Xcel Energy is a trusted energy provider that delivers clean, reliable, and affordable energy to customers across the United States. Across our footprint, we operate in eight states and deliver electricity to nearly four million customers and natural gas to about 2 million customers. The company offers a range of services including clean transportation programs, energy-saving programs, and customer support. Xcel Energy is committed to building a sustainable future by investing in clean energy solutions and ensuring reliable energy delivery to its customers
Tell us more about your job. I have responsibility for the overall strategy and performance of Xcel Energy's four operating companies, which collectively provide power to individuals, families and businesses in eight different states. In addition, I oversee our customer-facing organizations: Customer Energy and Transportation Solutions, which manages things such as our Clean Transportation/Electric Vehicle programs and Data Center strategy; Customer Care which includes things like the Customer Contact Center that customers from any of our eight states can call when they have questions or need help; and External Affairs and Policy which is helping us achieve our environmental, social and governance Sustainability and Net Zero clean energy goals. In my previous role as Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, I was responsible for the company's law department and overall legal strategy.
Why is STEM important within your industry? Xcel Energy is responsible for delivering the products (in electricity and natural gas) that power our lives. From heating and lighting our homes to cooking our food to charging our phones - it is essential to our way of life. The lifeblood of our company is grounded in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Our co-workers use their STEM skills to design and operate the equipment that generates electricity as well as the poles and wires that carry that electricity to our homes, schools and community gathering places. We use technology to innovate to drive the clean energy transition as we dream up amazing new things like battery storage and how to harness the power of geothermal energy using the heat trapped deep beneath the earth's surface.
Why is STEM important to your job? Understanding the complexity of our system is key to running an energy company that delivers what our customers need - clean and reliable energy that is there when you need it.
What do you like best about your job? My favorite thing is being a part of a team. In this role, I get to lead teams of incredibly smart, hard working and dedicated people who are committed to finding better and better ways to deliver on our critical mission.
What are the most important skills needed in your job? There are probably dozens of important skills around reading, technology and problem solving. But what's helped me the most during my journey are three things: 1) I'm authentically myself and don't try and be anyone else 2) I'm trustworthy - I do what I say I'll do; 3) I don't pretend to know it all - I am willing to ask questions and learn from others.
Have there been times in your career where you've faced difficult challenges and how were you able to overcome them? Of course. I tend to take those situations on directly and right away. When a challenge pops up, rarely can you solve it just by waiting around. I take a moment to inspect the challenge and understand it - but I don't sit and admire the problem for long. Once I have a solution and have connected with teammates to get their input, I roll my sleeves up and get after it.
What advice would you give to girls of all ages who are interested in STEM? Challenge yourself - go beyond what comes easy or naturally. As a volleyball coach, I tell my girls that if you're not making mistakes, you're not getting better because you're not challenging yourself enough. Same is true in STEM or anything else...the growth happens when you're stretching.
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Meteorologist Joe Ruch is tracking nig changes across Colorado, first snow in Denver
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The Colorado State Patrol is investigating a crash that claimed the life of a pedestrian in Westminster on Friday.
A 55-year-old Lakewood man who worked for the federal government was sentenced to prison this week for fraudulently diverting approximately $1 million from his employer for personal use.
Denver's holiday drone show has returned and 600 drones are helping make it happen. The nightly event started last month but runs every night through the end of the year.
No injuries were reported, but according to the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office, traffic is being diverted off exit 228 and back onto I-70 to go around the crash.
Winter storm advisories and winter storm warnings are in effect until 11 p.m. Saturday, at which point, the mountains will see from 6 to 24 inches of fresh snow. Rabbit Ears Pass could top out closer to 30 inches of snow.
The Colorado State Patrol is investigating a crash that claimed the life of a pedestrian in Westminster on Friday.
CBS Colorado's Together for Colorado Toy Drive helps out kids at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. Antonio Chavez, the director of the Broncos Boys and Girls Club, also grew up in one of the clubs as a child and benefited from the toy drive when his family was struggling. Now he's happy for the chance to help other families.
See when and where you can catch Denver's nightly holiday drone shows through the end of the year.
DJ Bret Saunders from KBCO described the excitement surrounding the release of the rock radio station’s annual CD and talked about some of the performers who are featured.
Mostly dry for the Denver metro area with mild temperatures
FIFA released the World Cup schedule on Saturday that will feature 104 matches spread across 11 cities in the United States, with three in Mexico and two in Canada.
At 8-0, their best start in almost 80 years, the CU Buffs appear to be flying high. The last time the Buffs played at Moby Arena, the winningest team in CU history lost.
The Cherry Creek Bruins are back in the state Colorado state 5A football championships, but for one student athlete, this weekend is about far more than the quest for another title.
Many local businesses around Canvas Stadium are preparing for an influx in business during the CHSAA state football championships.
The 2026 Men's World Cup will be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.
FIFA released the World Cup schedule on Saturday that will feature 104 matches spread across 11 cities in the United States, with three in Mexico and two in Canada.
The change to the schedule comes shortly after the Trump administration announced new fees for non-resident visitors.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said the family expects Andrew Wolfe to be in acute care for another two to three weeks.
Minimum wages are set to rise in 22 U.S. states and 66 cities and counties next year, even as the federal baseline wage remains at $7.25.
Frank Gehry was known for designing the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
Friends, family and many others gathered to remember the life and legacy of former Colorado State Sen. Faith Winter on Friday at the Colorado State Capitol.
Two people who survived an early September U.S. attack on an alleged drug boat were waving overhead before they were killed in a now-controversial second strike, according to two sources.
The Supreme Court said Friday it will decide the legality of President Trump's executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship.
The man suspected of planting pipe bombs outside the RNC and DNC is believed to be a Trump supporter and has been speaking with investigators, multiple sources told CBS News.
A federal judge granted a Justice Department request to unseal grand jury transcripts from a federal investigation in Florida into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, with members appointed by RFK Jr., voted to change longstanding recommendations on the hepatitis B vaccine.
A program at University of Colorado Anschutz is connecting its health care students with seniors to help prepare them for future interactions with older generations.
A clinical study into weight loss drugs for pets just launched, with results from the trial expected by next summer.
The CDC's vaccine advisory panel meets Thursday and Friday to discuss recommendations for the hepatitis B vaccine and the schedule of childhood shots.
The former officials said the FDA's plans to revamp how certain life-saving vaccines are handled would "disadvantage the people the FDA exists to protect, including millions of Americans at high risk from serious infections."
Many local businesses around Canvas Stadium are preparing for an influx in business during the CHSAA state football championships.
Minimum wages are set to rise in 22 U.S. states and 66 cities and counties next year, even as the federal baseline wage remains at $7.25.
Federal regulators are investigating multiple Texas incidents in which the robotaxis drove around stopped school buses.
As the Denver Nuggets, Denver Broncos and Colorado Avalanche fans celebrate winning seasons so far, local sports stores are ready with all the gear.
Netflix on Friday said it will acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO.
An internal report obtained by CBS Colorado raises several concerns about how Colorado's helitak program is being run.
A veteran Denver commercial real estate broker warned elected Denver officials in December of 2023 to scrap their plans to buy the Denver Post building for $88.5 million.
Colorado is now among the states under a microscope from the U.S. Department of Transportation, after several high-profile crashes involving drivers who couldn't understand road signs written in English.
Before the Broncos won in Week 11, the game at Empower Field at Mile High was preceded by a tense showdown between an air traffic controller and the pilot of a single-engine aircraft.
On Sept. 4, the body of Kathleen Mayo was found inside her first floor unit. Police say she was murdered.