Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
Sioux Valley Energy is the largest electric cooperative in South Dakota and serves two counties in Minnesota. We are a leader in the development and operation of the lastest technology in automated meter reading. As a Metering Coordinator I make sure that over 30,000 meters function and remotely read multiple times a day to help our members understand their energy needs and use. The better a consumer understands the more energy they can save themselves. Under the cooperative model those savings are shared amongst all of the member owners. Maintaining and install this equipment to it's maximum potential is my way of "serving our members always".
As the Foreman for the Meter/Relay Department at East River I wear many hats. Before becoming Foreman several years ago I was a Journeyman Meter/Relay Technician. Day to day I manage six technicians that are what I would consider the most versatile technicians anywhere. Besides being top professionals in key areas they each maintain they also act as support staff to the others when needed. Our department is in charge of East River's substation RTUs. Not just in the transmission stations but we have also developed a full distribution automation system that has been implemented in nearly one third of the 230 plus substations East River has. All other stations have at minimum intelligent metering to give our dispatch real time data from each station to maintain our system integrity to it's peak. Our department as the name states is in charge of all metering and relaying as well. From the design of relaying and meter panels down to landing every wire and commissioning a new substation they do it all. We also do all the substation apparatus testing. Doble testing, TTR tests, SFRA tests, breaker timing and contact testing, CT testing, oil testing, IR scanning and ground resistance testing. Over the years I have done every job our department has had to do and many more. I can honestly state that there has not been a Substation project at East River in the past 20 years that I haven't been a key part of from start to finish. I have also been trained in Proactive Performance Coaching to manage personnel and make sure that everyone has the chance to develop into the best employee for themselves as well as a top notch asset for our company. Over the years I had taken on the roll as trainer for East River personnel in high voltage switchman training for per Western Area Power Administration's Chapter one so our people can perform switching on WAPA's system as well as our own safely.