The Utility Safety & Ops Leadership Network (USOLN) has awarded the 2012 Carolyn Alkire Safety Advocate Award to Emily Wilkins, CSA, CUSP, of Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative in Bastrop, Texas. She received the prestigious honor on May 1, 2012 while attending the iP Safety Conference & Expo in San Antonio, Texas.

The Carolyn Alkire Safety Advocate Award was created to honor Carolyn Alkire, a 40-year employee of San Diego Gas & Electric and a partner in safety to the U.S. electric utility industry. Alkire passed away on July 11, 2008. She was active in a variety of industry groups including iP safety conferences, the Inter-Utility Overhead Training Association (IUOTA), Western Underground and the Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction.

Wilkins received the 2012 award based on her diligent efforts in improving safety at Bluebonnet and making strides in her own professional development.

“The USOLN awards committee knows how hard Emily worked to earn her Certified Utility Safety Professional credential,” said Carla Housh, USOLN executive director. “She often speaks of her mission to improve processes and safety at Bluebonnet. As a Carolyn Alkire Safety Advocate Award recipient, I’m confident Emily will continue to improve safety at her company and further develop her professional skills.”