Emerald Messo
Denver,CO
Summary
NERC Compliance professional with 13+ years of utility industry experience and 6+ years specializing in regulatory compliance, audits, and risk management. Experienced in developing and supporting compliance programs across NERC Reliability Standards (CIP and O&P) and other regulatory frameworks. Proven expertise in leading audits, evaluating compliance risks, performing Root Cause Analysis and Extent of Condition assessments, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Recognized as a trusted advisor to operations teams, compliance leadership, and senior stakeholders within highly regulated environments, with a strong track record of strengthening controls, improving processes, and ensuring regulatory readiness.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
COMPLIANCE ANALYST
Platte River
Fort Collins, CO
03.2024 - Current
- Manage key NERC compliance activities, including CIP-008 cybersecurity incident response tabletop exercises, CIP-002 BES Cyber System asset categorization, and maintenance of the NERC Responsibility Matrix.
- Lead the Root Cause Analysis, Extent of Condition, and Risk Assessment processes for the NERC compliance program, supporting self-reports, audit engagements, and close-call investigations.
- Collaborate with Compliance Specialists and SMEs to develop, implement, and maintain procedures and internal controls.
- Support external NERC audits and conduct internal audits and spot checks to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate compliance risks.
- Represent Platte River in industry groups and forums, including NERC, WECC, E-ISAC, NATF, LPPC, and APPA.
RELIABILITY ANALYST
Xcel Energy
Denver, CO
06.2022 - 03.2024
- Coordinated key NERC compliance activities, including Self-Certifications, NERC Alerts, Periodic Data Requests, and Self-Reports.
- Partnered with Compliance Leads and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to develop, document, and maintain compliance procedures and supporting documentation.
- Monitored internal controls to ensure compliance activities were completed accurately and on schedule.
- Delivered NERC 101 training to new employees, promoting awareness of NERC standards and compliance responsibilities.
GAS QA/QC CONSULTANT
Xcel Energy
Denver, CO
07.2021 - 06.2022
- Conducted compliance assessments of natural gas facilities to verify adherence to PHMSA, DOT, and internal standards, identifying compliance gaps and supporting corrective actions to reduce regulatory risk.
- Evaluated more than 20 gas operations business processes to identify compliance and operational risk areas, recommending process improvements that reduced Public Utilities Commission (PUC) audit findings by 35%.
- Designed and implemented remote compliance assessments across six states to maintain regulatory oversight during travel and budget restrictions.
GIS SUPERVISOR, GAS OPS
Xcel Energy
Denver, CO
07.2017 - 07.2021
- Led Geographic Information Systems teams supporting Gas Distribution and Transmission operations across Colorado, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
- Led development of 40,000+ gas operations maintenance plans supporting compliance and reliability activities, including cathodic protection, business district, and leak surveys.
- Supported the Productivity Through Technology SAP implementation by migrating assets from legacy systems, developing the asset hierarchy, and designing workflows to improve operational efficiency and data integrity.
GIS SUPERVISOR, ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION
Xcel Energy
Amarillo, TX
11.2013 - 07.2017
- Supervised Geographic Information Systems operations supporting Electric Distribution in Texas and New Mexico, working closely with stakeholders.
- Spearheaded the transition from paper and CAD maps to GIS-based mapping, driving adoption of digital tools across operations teams.
- Reduced electric as-built completion cycle time from 30 days to 6 days by improving processes and streamlining workflow efficiency.
GIS TECHNICIAN II
Xcel Energy
Amarillo, TX
12.2012 - 11.2013
Education
MBA - Business Administration And Management
West Texas A&M University
Canyon12.2025
Bachelor of Arts - Geography
University of Oklahoma
Norman05.2012
Skills
- Knowledge of NERC CIP and O&P regulations
- Regulatory audits expertise
- Compliance program oversight
- Root cause analysis proficiency
- Risk mitigation planning
- IT and OT security compliance
- Project management in virtual environments
- Designing effective controls
- Project execution management
- Proficient in NERC ERO portal navigation
- Cross-functional teamwork
- Building strategic relationships
- Effective written communication
Timeline
COMPLIANCE ANALYST
Platte River
03.2024 - Current
RELIABILITY ANALYST
Xcel Energy
06.2022 - 03.2024
GAS QA/QC CONSULTANT
Xcel Energy
07.2021 - 06.2022
GIS SUPERVISOR, GAS OPS
Xcel Energy
07.2017 - 07.2021
GIS SUPERVISOR, ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION
Xcel Energy
11.2013 - 07.2017
GIS TECHNICIAN II
Xcel Energy
12.2012 - 11.2013
MBA - Business Administration And Management
West Texas A&M University
Bachelor of Arts - Geography
University of Oklahoma