Upcoming Events
A policy forum to advance discussion of affordable home energy and the importance of consumer protections, when considering the modernization of the nation’s electric generating infrastructure and smart meter technologies. The forum will provide an overview of the issues and recommendations in the published report by AARP, “The Need for Essential Consumer Protections: Smart Metering Proposals and The Move to Time-Based Pricing.
PUBLIC POLICY/REGULATORY SPOKESPERSON
DARYL BASSETT is the public policy and regulatory spokesperson for EmPower Consumers. He has previously served as Commissioner with the Arkansas Public Service Commission. Bassett, a graduate of Harding University is past President of Southeastern Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (SEARUC). He has been named Chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Diversity Committee and is a member of the Financial Research Institute Columbia College of Business Board. Prior to joining the Public Service Commission, he served as the Governor�s Budget Director and the Governor�s Policy Advisor for numerous state agencies. Before entering public service, Daryl was an investment banker with Merrill Lynch. Daryl currently resides in Arkansas. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH SPOKESPERSON
BISHOP TITUS DEAS, JR. is a noteworthy religious leader and social activist. In January 1995, he was appointed as senior pastor to the Deliverance Temple First Born Church of the Living God. Under his leadership, the church grew from 0 to 200 members in the first two years and is continuing to experience phenomenal growth as it prepares to add a second location. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy, Bishop Deas made the transition into full-time ministry.The cause of affordable housing has been important to Bishop Deas virtually since the inception of his ministry. He has first-hand knowledge of balancing costs to make construction and housing available for those of modest means and for non-profit institutions. For example, in April 2002, he oversaw the building of a new structure for ministry and social services. Through the Deliverance Temple Ministries, he is seeking to create locations for daycare, access to financial services and employment training, and for affordable housing. Since October 2002, he has founded and advanced the mission of a non-profit organization called Bridging the Gap Outreach, Inc., which among many tasks hosts workshops on family finance issues.
In 2009, Bishop Deas brought his background in social services and advocacy to the role of spokesman for the national consumer organization, EmPower Consumers. In that capacity he seeks to educate policy makers on the unintended consequences of regulatory and legislative initiatives that may undermine the conditions of the working poor and those living on fixed incomes. Bishop Deas currently resides in Florida.