Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
Nuclear power today accounts for 60% of the carbon free electricity generated in our country. Our challenges are to continue demonstrating that we can operate these valuable resources safely, reliably and cost competitvely. To achieve a carbon free future we must collaborate with stakeholders, innovate through technology, find added value streams (like carbon free hydrogen production), and invest in strategic projects and partnerships. Together nuclear power and other clean energy sources can continue to reduce the carbon impacts for the entire economy.
As the Vice President, Engineering and Technical Services for Xcel Energy my responsibilities include leading the fleet engineering, capital projects, corporate refueling outages, new fuel design and procurement and the dry fuel storage departments. Key strategic initiatives include integrating these functions through industry initiatives such as Delivering the Nuclear Promise, enterprise initiatives such SAP work processes, and implementation of other business plan safety, cost and efficiency improvements. Xcel Energy owns and operates the Monticello and Prairie Island nuclear power plants. I joined the Xcel Energy engineering organization in 1991 at the Monticello nuclear generating facility. Throughout the 20 years at Monticello I held numerous positions in the site engineering and capital projects departments. In 2011 accepting a corporate fleet role as Director Nuclear Projects managing the capital projects and project controls group, capital budgets, rate cases and project management processes. In 2013 assumed the Vice President Capital Projects position leading the fleet capital projects department as well as dry fuels storage and the corporate outage department. More recently as the Vice President Engineering and Technical Services integrated the engineering and fuels departments with the capital project, outages and other services. I received my Bachelor Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1980. Other achievements include a BWR Senior Reactor Operator certification, a registered professional engineering in the state of Minnesota, and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute.
The Xcel Energy 's Nuclear Project Management Office supports the Monticello and Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plants. The group consists primarially of project managers and project control professionals located at the stations and at the corporate offices. The group implements capital projects improving plant equipment reliability and operation.