Students Driven to Succeed Contents
On the cover: Hundreds of students, teachers, 2 Engineering Model parents and others have been Technical savvy and people skills define Tom Burton, the OPPD Soci- impacted by Power Drive. ety of Engineers’ Engineer of the Year. 4 FCS Receives CAL from NRC Serving as another milestone in the road to restart and recovery at Fort Calhoun Station, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a 2 Confirmatory Action Letter to OPPD on June 11. 6 Driven to Success For 13 years, the Power Drive program has given students an outlet to showcase their ingenuity and creativity. 10 Rebuilding the Past In retirement, Dick Varner continues in his role as a caretaker for the land and structures of southeastern Nebraska. 12 Running Wild in Warrior Dash A group of OPPD employees were among the 20,000-plus individu- als who participated in Nebraska’s a first-ever Warrior Dash. 15 Graduate Section An impressive number of OPPD employees and their families made fashion statements in caps and gowns at commencement exercises 12 this summer. 23 People Anniversaries, retirements, deaths, sympathies and club notes. Back cover Flood of Memories The one-year anniversary of the Missouri River flood of 2011 served as a reminder of all the hard work by employees.
: Vol. 92, No. 4, July/August 2012
Published bimonthly by the Corporate Commu- Contributing Staff Senior Management nications Division, Flash magazine provides OPPD DJ Clarke Paula Lukowski W. Gary Gates...... President employees and retirees with strategic industry- and Django Greenblatt-Seay Lisa Olson Dave Bannister...... Vice President job-related news, and human-interest articles about Jeff Hanson Althea Pietsch Timothy J. Burke...... Vice President associates and their families. Flash is one of several Jeni Hoffman Laurie Zagurski Mohamad Doghman...... Vice President tools that comprise our communication strategy. Sharon Jefferson Terry Zank Edward Easterlin...... Vice President Employees and retirees can access timely OPPD Mike Jones Jon Hansen...... Vice President news weekdays via OPPD News online. Sherrye Hutcherson...... Vice President Reporters Flash Editor...... Chris Cobbs Randy Alsman Margine Henry Trudy Prather Board of Directors Creative Director...... Joe Comstock Tim Ash Ed Howell Pam Price N.P. Dodge Jr...... Chairman of the Board Kim Barnes Traci Hug Lana Pulverenti John R. Thompson...... Vice Chairman of the Board Sara Biodrowski Sharon Jefferson Heather Rawlings To contact the Flash editor: Karma Boone Debbie Jensen Kathy Royal Michael J. Cavanaugh...... Treasurer phone...... 402-636-3757 Joanne Brown Terri Kelly Terri Salado Anne L. McGuire...... Secretary Cec Christensen Shelley Kendrick Peter Schiltz John K. Green...... Board Member email ...... [email protected] Jeannie Corey Melinda Kenton Jim Shipman Lloyd Scheve...... Board Member Sharon Dickman Suzanne Krajicek Jammie Snyder address...... OPPD, Flash, 3E/EP1 Neal Faltys Becky Kruger Jennifer St. Clair Fred J. Ulrich...... Board Member 444 S. 16th St. Kelly Fleming Doug Mickells Kathy Stolinski Del D. Weber...... Board Member Omaha, NE 68102-2247 Anne Forslund Jamie Moore Clint Sweet Natalie Ging Shawn Moore Vince Timmerman Nancy Goddard Shelly Mruz Dennis Vanek Barbara Gullie Beth Nagel Dawn Varner Jill Hanover Rick Perrigo Line Items
General Services Administration The federal courthouse, located at Recognized for Energy Savings 111 S. 18th Plaza in downtown Omaha, has 356,873-square-feet of space. GSA This spring, OPPD officials recognized the General personnel worked with OPPD, as well as Services Administration Region 6 for its commitment to specialized subcontractors Bes-Tech and efficient energy management at the Roman L. Hruska Engineered Controls Inc. on improvements U.S. Courthouse. in the building’s energy systems. GSA’s op- OPPD Vice President Sherrye Hutcherson presented erations and maintenance contractor LB&B a check for $48,800 to Mary Kosmicki, Director, GSA also played a critical role in the project Nebraska Office. The check represents energy savings that because of their knowledge of the building. the GSA realized at the facility as a result of several energy By taking these steps, the GSA reduced commissioning and optimization projects. Built in 2000, annual HVAC chilled water consumption by the six-story building has become a model for how to get 33.5 percent, steam consumption by 24.4 the most from energy management systems. percent, electricity consumption by 13.6 “GSA will see an actual utility cost savings of $173,670 percent and electricity demand by 17.7 annually at the courthouse, based on 12 months of utility percent, based on 12 months of utility data. data,” said Sherrye. “The results speak for themselves, but Roman L. Hruska U.S. Courthouse. The building has achieved ENERGY STAR OPPD applauds the GSA for its good stewardship of reducing energy status with a rating of 87 percent. This the fourth consecutive ENERGY demand and cutting its energy bill, thus saving taxpayer dollars. The STAR award for the courthouse. project serves as a successful example to others.”
OPPD Team to Carry United Way Torch OPPD’s 2012 United Way cam- paign, with a theme linked to the Olympic Games in London, is sched- uled to run from Monday, Sept. 10, through Friday, Sept. 21. A kick-off breakfast is scheduled : for Thursday, Sept. 6, featuring this year’s chairman Bill Lenagh, division manager of Customer Sales & Service, and others on the United Way team. The OPPD goal for 2012 is $355,000, with a stretch goal of $360,000. Last year’s goal was $350,000 with a stretch goal of $355,000. As usual, anyone contributing to the campaign will be eligible for raffle prizes, including gift cards for area entertainment and restaurants. Prizes are being donated. “Thanks for all your support in the past, it will be needed again to reach our goal and help make our community a better place,” said Bill. “The team that is working on this will do all we can to carry the torch of the United Way spirit in our 2012 campaign.” Oh, my, this ceremony is flying by. They're already on the "C's" and it's only been a week. July/August 2012 Flash 1 Engineer of the Year Engineering Model Technical savvy and people skills define Tom Burton, the OPPD Society of Engineers’ Engineer of the Year for 2012. He is regarded as a role model for younger employees and a beacon of excellence among OPPD’s 430 engineers. Tom Burton’s involvement with the was and is a devoted father to three sons and a North Omaha Station Coal-Handling daughter (Ben, Christopher, Peter and Angela), Upgrade Project in 2000 illustrates with an extended family that now includes six many of the qualities that led to grandchildren. Tom also is a deacon at Holy his selection as the OPPD Society Cross Catholic Church. of Engineeers’ Engineer of the “Tom is a highly committed, high-integrity, Year for 2012. His contribution common-sense engineer,” said Jon. “All of that, to that project also contains in one neat package. He’s a great role model for the DNA of his current work others at OPPD.” on proposed federal air quality Modest in the extreme, Tom jokingly said, regulations at fossil plants. “What were they thinking?” of his selection as For the coal-handling project, Tom Engineer of the Year. In a serious vein, he also served as project manager on a $10 said he was deeply honored and flattered by the million overhaul that included upgrad- award. ing all coal belts, chutes and drive motors, The OPPD Society of Engineers Board and a se- replacing the stockout structure and rail car lection committee of five engineers involving dif- thawing equipment, changing to comput- ferent areas of the company selected Tom from a erized controls and making changes to the field of eight nominees, said Mike Herzog, senior rail tracks to accommodate longer trains transmission planning engineer and chairperson on site. of the OPPD Society of Engineers. Following are Even while working to develop the tech- some of the criteria used in the selection process: nical solution for an aging plant, Tom also • Significant achievement in the engineering was listening to concerns of plant operators field and maintenance staff to make certain he • Behaviors that create and support the OPPD had a grasp of their concerns. Equal empha- ideal culture sis on both the technical and subjective sides • Innovative solution to solve a technical of engineering are at the core of Tom’s ap- problem where attributes of the ideal utility proach, and have been since he came to OPPD are displayed in 1980. • Community involvement “It was an important modification that • Continuing competence modernized the system and gave us the abil- ity to move coal faster,” said Jon Hansen, vice “Tom has demonstrated he is a go-to engi- president, Energy Production & Marketing, who neer,” said Mike. “There is no doubt he will get served as operations manager during the North the job done. He is also very good at working Omaha project. “Despite all the work involved, with young engineers. There are 430 engineers at it didn’t affect production or operation of any OPPD, and we wanted to recognize someone for units.” others in the company to emulate.” In the midst of the massive project, Tom still In addition to Tom, the following individuals found time for volunteering two nights a month were nominated for the OSE Engineer of the Year at the Stephen Center homeless shelter, a role award: in which he continues to serve. Above all, he Joel Haskins, Senior Design Engineer, T&D Operations 2 Flash July/August 2012 Landy Jacobson, Manager of T&D Projects, OPPD ideal culture. “As a manager, my role is to Substation Operations make sure people can learn to do my job some- John Mayhan, Principal Transmission day to help keep the company going,” Tom said. Planning Engineer, System Planning & Cost “I try to guide others through the path of using Management their technical skills within OPPD’s parameters of doing business.” Tom Mayhan, Principal EMS Engineer, Along with his work on the North Omaha proj- System Planning & Cost Management ect, evidence of Tom’s “continuing competence” All In The Family Ron McIvor, Principal Protection Engineer, can be found in his contribution to the 1993 rail Engineering is in the blood of Tom Substation Operations spur to Nebraska City Station project and the Burton and his family. Terry Pirruccello, Manager of Records and 1997 Nebraska City Station Upgrade Project (new Selected by the OPPD Society of Standards, T&D Operations HP/IP turbine) and a number of other smaller Engineers as Engineer of the Year for projects along the way. 2012, Tom is the son of an electrical Randy Veik, Superintendent Technical, Now on his agenda is involvement – along engineer (1920-2005) who worked Production Operations with senior managers and many others – with his entire life for the telephone com- pany. And two of Tom’s four children Tom’s selection as Engineer of the Year was responding to the challenge of proposed Environ- are in the field: Oldest Child: Angela graduated from Creighton, married to another Creighton graduate and stays home with her 3 sons 2nd Oldest: Ben, graduated from University of Nebraska – Omaha; works as a CPA in town (married with 3 sons) 3rd oldest: Chris, graduated from University of Nebraska – Lincoln; works as a Mechanical Engineer in Lincoln (Cleaver-Brooks); getting married this summer Youngest: Peter, one year left in engineering (mechanical) at the University of Tulsa, currently working a summer internship at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Mich.
Tom Burton and his extended family influenced in part by his community involve- mental Protection Agency air quality regulations. ment, centered on his volunteer work at the “We have been tracking this issue since well Stephen Center homeless shelter for the past before 2000, and it’s one of the biggest challenges 21 years. Two nights a month, he sleeps over the fossil generating stations have ever faced,” at the center, which houses about 60 homeless Tom said. “I am not the lead, but I am provid- individuals. “I sleep with one eye open, so I can ing input. We’re looking for a balance between help if someone has issues,” Tom said. “The low-cost energy for our customers and respond- program’s function is to help them understand ing to government regulations. It’s a very difficult why they are homeless and how to stop being balance, and the challenge could result in the homeless.” expenditure of hundreds of millions of dollars.” Additionally, his selection reflects his work By Chris Cobbs with young engineers and efforts to support the
July/August 2012 Flash 3 Fort Calhoun Station Receives CAL from NRC Serving as another milestone in the road to re- “I appreciate the hard work of everyone on site start and recovery for Fort Calhoun Station (FCS), and all the support FCS has received company- the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued wide in pursuing those goals,” Gary emphasized. a Confirmatory Action Letter (CAL) to OPPD on “While some things remain unknown, such as the June 11. scheduling of upcoming NRC inspections and any The CAL, which includes a restart checklist, additional items that may arise during discovery, documents the actions OPPD has committed to we continue to work the plan.” taking before restarting FCS. The plant has been Employees can access the CAL by visiting the safely shut down since April 9, 2011, for the start FCS button on the intranet home page. of a planned refueling and maintenance outage. NRC and OPPD Hold Open Houses “The CAL confirms that we are working on the appropriate issues in our FCS Integrated Perfor- To give the public a chance to talk informally mance Improvement Plan, which we released with NRC regional representatives on the status publicly in February,” noted Gary Gates, president of FCS, the NRC hosted an open house at the and CEO. DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Omaha on The CAL also formalizes commitments OPPD May 31. In addition to members of the public, has previously made to address all of the issues media representatives from all the local TV that prompted the NRC to place FCS into Inspec- stations and a few radio stations attended. Dan Montez, Lisa Olson, Jeff Hanson tion Manual Chapter 0350, a special category In a break from its series of formal public and Judy Sunde were among those calling for additional NRC oversight for plants in meetings, the NRC answered questions from visi- representing OPPD at the open house. extended shutdown. tors one-on-one. Questions revolved around NRC “As recent conversations between OPPD and the policies, how those policies pertain to FCS, how NRC have indicated, we have made substantial the agency was going to ensure the safety progress in recovering FCS and returning the sta- of the public, and when the plant would tion to a high level of performance,” Gary said. return to operation. 4 Flash July/August 2012 OPPD simultaneously hosted an open house, giving the public a chance to ask questions of OPPD at various stations set up in another room. Employees staffed informational tables on the Integrated Performance Improvement Plan, plant status and “Nuclear Power 101.” OPPD also had informational tables on renewable energy, envi- ronmental stewardship and energy efficiency. Plant Work in Full Swing, Fukushima Project Getting Started The pace of outage-related activities picked up in early June, as FCS workers tackled a number of maintenance tasks and modifications at the plant. “We will not sacrifice safety or quality for plant was designed to withstand. The production, but we have a passion for fixing the specifics include installing a system plant and completing this outage,” said Deb to remotely monitor spent fuel pool Matthews, manager – Outage. levels and reevaluating potential Putting passion into your work is a strong ex- flooding and earthquake hazards. pectation of Plant Manager Mike Prospero. The Fukushima response project “We are committed to avoiding anyone getting is being designed to minimize its hurt, and focusing on the things we can control impact on the plant- Fort Calhoun Station on the job, with passion and a sense of urgency,” restart effort and day-to- Mike said. day plant operations. The Receives CAL from NRC From an industry-wide perspective, FCS has NRC has issued a detailed started a long-term project to comply with orders schedule for providing the and information requests from the NRC related industry additional guid- to the incident at the Fukushima nuclear facility, ance on this topic over at which was caused by an earthquake and resulting least the next five years. tsunami in 2011. The NRC orders focus mainly on being able to By Terry Zank safely deal with conditions caused by an event that exceeds what the
Above, employees at various information booths talk with customers who attended the event.
At left, Channel 3’s Fatima Rahmatullah interviews Jeff Hanson.
July/August 2012 Flash 5 Driven to Success KidsKids BuildingBuilding Cars,Cars, ProgramProgram BuildingBuilding LeadersLeaders
For 13 years, the Power Drive program has given students an outlet to showcase their ingenuity and creativity. Hundreds of students and The Elkhorn team celebrates its 2012 Power Drive championship. Ayrton Kuzela is holding a trophy at his side. countless teachers, parents and others have been impacted by the Ayrton Kuzela grew up around the Power Drive And return they did, year after year. That program, which debuted in the Program. He capped his senior year with a big eventually led to Ayrton competing on Elkhorn’s 1998-1999 school year. victory for Elkhorn High and by winning the Electric Vehicle Team (EEVT) all four years of high Power Drive encourages student Paul High Memorial Scholarship. school. interest in energy- and automotive- The Kuzelas did a lot of lap counting initially, he 2001 snapshot shows an impressionable related industries by bringing a but as time went on, they got more and more in- first grader, mugging for the camera at the practical focus to students' math, T volved with other duties, such as judging maneu- Power Drive championship course at OPPD’s science and/or vocational educa- verability and braking. Elkhorn Service Center. tion. They work in teams, under “One year, when the championships were held Dressed in his Little League baseball uniform, the direction of instructors who at the Qwest Center, Ayrton was assigned directly that was the beginning of have been trained at Power Drive to Steve Anderson (Power something very special for workshops. Instructors report the Drive coordinator) as his Ayrton Kuzela, son of John runner and to help enter Kuzela, senior operations the event data into Steve’s engineer at Fort Calhoun Sta- laptop. He absolutely was tion and a long-time Power beaming, especially when Drive volunteer. it turned very cold and “We went to our first Power rainy, and he got to stay in Drive championship in 2000, the warm van with Steve,” and we were both hooked,” John said. said John. “Ayrton loved “It was so cool,” said the cars, they were more his Ayrton of tagging along size. We both counted laps during the early years of and knew we would be back the program. “I couldn’t volunteering.” wait to participate.” “Ayrton and I would draw pictures of what his 6 Flash July/August 2012 Power Drive car would John and his wife, look like and debate the Dawn, are among the pros and cons of various many parents who value designs,” added John. what Power Drive has His exposure to Power given to their son. As Drive in these early important is the com- years let him see how mitment by the partici- the competition was pating schools that allow judged. “Before he ever the instructors to share joined the EEVT, he had their time and talents a strong understanding with the EV teams. of the technology, rules, The EEVT met every safety, driving skills and Tuesday and Thursday what made an electric from the beginning of car fast,” said John. Ayrton Kuzela stands at the lap-counter table the school year until the “I watched the skill at the 2003 Power Drive championships. end, and it’s the only program boosts academics, school levels improve. Cars program that allows a spirit and community interest and used to go fewer laps and there were more ac- student to earn a letter in Power Drive. This year, support. cidents,” said Ayrton, who will attend South Joe Lee, a math teacher at Elkhorn South, served “The vehicles and talent have re- Dakota State University in the fall and work as the school representative. Craig Vinopal held ally improved over the years,” said toward a degree in electrical engineering. OPPD President Gary Gates. “But “I gained valuable experience in Power this program goes beyond techni- Drive,” said Ayrton. “I have done a lot of cal skills, also giving the kids orga- fabrication, problem-solving and documenta- nizational and leadership skills.” tion. We went through three different steering The Power Drive championship prototypes. We worked as a team and shared a was held May 5. Prior to the cham- lot of ideas.” pionship, five rallies were held at Plus, racing was “a blast,” he said. various sites across the state. “It’s not like driving a normal car,” added Power Drive is currently co- Ayrton. “You have to really know the car and sponsored by Omaha Public Power the track. You have to plan, District, Nebraska Public Power Dis- watching the amps and making trict, the Nebraska Department of turns as smooth as possible, Ayrton’s 2012 lucky shoes were retired Education and the U.S. Department coasting in the right places.” and hung in the EEVT shop after the of Energy Clean Cities Program. finals.
Power Drive events competed with Ayrton’s baseball, but the family made efforts to do both. Sometimes it was Power Drive events in the morning and baseball practice or games later that day. Lower left, Ayrton is at the 2001 Power Drive championships, ready for a ballgame.
July/August 2012 Flash 7 that role Ayrton’s first three years. Both men were aided by three Their determination experienced parent paid off big. Elkhorn’s S01 Power Drive showcases both volunteers: Tom Scott, a professional auto body car won the standard class, with 1153.1 individual skill and teamwork. technician; Steve Fluer, an electrician; and Jim points, and the team’s exhibition and advanced Morrow, a software engineer. cars finished in the top five of their respective “Ayrton and the EEVT learned from the previ- classes. ous years, and they made a whole-out effort to “This year, all three EEVT cars (S01, E05 and dominate this year,” John said. Not everything A51) ran every event, the entire 1-hour rally went perfect, but the minor setbacks they without one on-the-track failure,” said John. “We encountered were approached with had never seen this type of consistent high per- the team’s casual approach and formance in the Power Drive. The information on resolved in a scientific car characteristics, battery performance, driving manner. experience and confidence in the team played a big role in the EEVT’s success this year.” Fittingly, Ayrton was awarded the Paul High Memorial Scholarship at the championship award ceremony. Paul, a long-time OPPD transportation employee, was instrumental in the early years of Power Drive.
By Paula Lukowski
8 Flash July/August 2012 Kids Rally Together at Power Drive Championships Those who attended the Power Drive Finals at Werner Park on May 5 were treated to an impressive show. On display were light electric vehicles designed and built by students from high schools across Nebraska and Iowa, plus another one from Watertown High School in Wisconsin. Lining the course, spectators settled in for the day with chairs, shade umbrellas and stocked coolers. Teams transformed the parking lot into a series of pit areas, where kids made last-minute tweaks to cars and teams finalized their strategies. A steady buzzing of battery chargers overtook the silent countryside sur- rounding the ball field. In all, more than 50 cars from 40 high schools participated in the championships. Dozens of OPPD and Nebraska Public Power District employees and retirees ran the event. “We hear over and over again how much the students, teachers and parents appreciate the event and the effort that all of the volunteers put into the Power Drive Program,” said OPPD retiree Steve Anderson, who oversees the program. The Watertown Wisconsin team traveled more than eight hours to attend. “The endurance runs at Power Drive are a higher caliber because there are a lot more teams,” said Jesse Domer, who teaches engineering and welding at Watertown High. “We have a couple of events in Wisconsin that attract about 25 electric cars.” The top five finishers by class, with car numbers and total points, include: Standard Class Elkhorn, car S01, 1153.1 Advanced Class Bancroft Rosalie, car S20, 1053.1 Wayne, car A39, 1060.5 Power Drive finals were held Raymond Central, car S55, 1031.3 Columbus Lakeview, car A104, 1051.1 at Werner Park, with specta- tors lining the course. Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Iowa, car S50, 962.5 Elkhorn, car A51, 890.9 Winside, car S80, 896.8 Raymond Central, car A57, 844.9 Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Ia., car A40, 751.1 Exhibition Class Bancroft Rosalie, car E21 A special thank you to the Raymond Central, car E118 following photographers, Wayne, car E107 who provided Power Drive Elkhorn, car E5 photos: Sue Baxter, Dhruba Chakravarti, Don Cross, Rich Friend, car E87 Fiddelke, Retiree George Sinos and Employee John Kuzela.
July/August 2012 Flash 9 Rebuilding the Past
Dick Varner plans to restore a In retirement, Dick Varner con- farmhouse that’s been in the tinues in his role as a caretaker family for more than a century. for the land and structures of southeastern Nebraska. some hands-on guidance for his replacement, Dick Varner has devoted nearly 25 years to who is to be hired before Dick’s retirement. making OPPD a safer, more environmentally- “The biggest handoff will be PCBs, which is friendly place all across its service territory. an acronym for polychlorinated biphenyls,” His focus won’t wander far with his Sept. 1 Dick said. “PCBs were banned by Congress retirement. Using flooring, trim and windows in 1979, and the Environmental Protection from another old home destined to be torn Agency (EPA) was given delegated authority down, Dick plans to restore a tumbledown to establish specific-use authorizations and farmhouse that’s been in his family since the restrictions for products containing PCBs.” late 1800s. PCBs are a man-made chemical that was Along with redoing the 1.5-story farmhouse, manufactured and used in various applications he also will nurture the 160-acre spread on because of its stability and fire resistance. For which it stands, planting native grasses to pro- this reason, PCBs were a natural fit as a fluid vide feed and shelter for area wildlife. insulator for various electrical equipment, such Dick, supervisor – Environmental Health as transformers, capacitors and regulators. and Safety, has been at OPPD since 1988, fol- Although classified as a toxic substance, the lowing 14 years with the Nebraska Department EPA still allows utilities to use equipment con- of Environmental Control. taining PCBs to the extent the equipment fluid For his departure, he has assembled a transi- (oil) remains contained inside the equipment. tion plan covering PCB management, electri- If spilled into the environment, there are spe- cal equipment spills, respiratory fit tests and cific cleanup requirements in addition to the sundry other tasks. In addition, he will provide record-keeping of all PCBs that are disposed of 10 Flash July/August 2012 annually. Spills to a customer’s property The place is nearly as old as Nebraska and possessions can result in extensive as confirmed by an abstract that docu- cleanups and can be expensive. ments family ownership of the quarter- With the amount of older electrical section of land going back to 1873. For equipment still in service, OPPD will have nearly a half century, the chief inhabit- to contend with PCBs for some time to ants of the land have been deer, raccoons come. The EPA is looking at tightening and turkeys, but Dick will make it home the regulations on PCBs and may set a to quail and pheasants, grasses and other defined schedule for finding and remov- favorable habitats. ing regulated equipment from service. In order to make the farmhouse new EPA IMPACTS This too will be costly. again, Dick will have to first gut it. Then Here is a list of impacts from future Along with managing PCBs, Dick he will repurpose flooring, trim and PCB regulation, published in the devotes a big chunk of his time to medi- windows given to him by his son-in-law. Environmental Protection Agency’s cal monitoring, respirator physicals, res- Dick will build and install new cabinets. “Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule- pirator fit tests and audiograms. He also Just about the only element from the old making” (ANPR) • Establish a deadline to phase out coordinates some workplace sampling place will be the plank pine on the upper all PCB and PCB-contaminated areas for dangerous substances dating level. Dick also plans to fill the house equipment which, under the back to the 1950s, including lead, asbes- with the antiques he has passionately col- current regulation, is allowed to tos and hexavalent chromium. lected over the years. remain in service for the remain- One of the things Dick enjoys most And so the past will live on for perhaps der of the equipment’s useful life. about his work is the time he spends out- another century or so. Preliminary deadline is 2025. doors. In fact, he is out of the office so • Before the phase-out deadline, often, he usually wears jeans rather than By Chris Cobbs prohibit the use of known or business attire when he heads out to the assumed PCB-contaminated plants, substation operations transformers near high-risk food and line crew locations. and feed areas. “I love working with crafts • Initiate a program to remove PCB people,” he said. “I’m going to fluorescent light ballasts in public buildings. really miss the atmosphere and the contact with the field peo- ple. What I won’t miss are the 2 a.m. call-outs.” The hours will be more hospi- table, but Dick will still be plenty busy after leaving OPPD. He believes it will take several years to complete the restoration of the old farmhouse that’s been abandoned since 1963, when his grandfather passed away. Dick has a The Varner farm as it picture of his grandpa as a little boy appears today (above) on the farm in 1910. and as it looked about Dick cherishes childhood memo- 100 years ago. ries of visits to the farm, which is located between Syracuse and Tecumseh. “Sometimes when I slept upstairs, it was so cold you could see your breath,” he said. “The only heat was from a stove on the first level.”
July/August 2012 Flash 11 20,000 People Run Wild at
Particpants gather for the start of the Warrior Dash. 12 Flash July/August 2012 everal OPPD employees participated in “It was horrible, it was fast, it was The Warrior Dash is an extreme Nebraska’s first-ever Warrior Dash on hard,” Market Research Specialist Tammy running series that takes place all June 9 and 10 in Cedar Creek. The race, Briganti said after she finished the race. “It over the U.S. and elsewhere in the organized by Red Frog Events, is an extreme 5-6 makes you feel younger than I am, although world, including Australia, Ireland and the UK. skilometer run with obstacles, which have com- tomorrow morning I’ll feel a lot older.” petitors hurdling rows of fire, scaling cargo net More than 20,000 people competed in the Above left, Machinists from Central race, which was held on Operations Worker Bill walls and crawling under barbed wire in a pool Maintenance are coated in mud. of mud. Metzger’s property – also home to his family Left to right are: Andy Frye, business, Madcow Paintball. Josh Lemay, Mark Patach, Rob Christainson and Trevor Fiala.
July/August 2012 Flash 13 Tammy Briganti dove head first into the Warrior Dash. She is pictured with her son Rosario, below left.
“They (Red Frog Events) contacted us in Feb- a larger container and other kids began stop- ruary,” said Bill. “They came out and did a site ping by for a refill,” said Bill. “The business visit and liked the property. It took them about just kind of grew naturally from there.” a week to plan the exact route and set every- Madcow Paintball, is the largest range in thing up.” Nebraska, holds several tournaments each Madcow Paintball started 10 years ago, after year and is also home to professional team Bill realized how quickly his kids were going Vicious. through the compressed air that assists in firing “My sister, Linda, and I were excited paintballs out of markers (also known as paint- because Cedar Creek is our hometown,” ball guns). said Tammy. “I only fell at the very end, in the mud. It was about completing, not “Every time their CO2 cartridges ran out, we’d have to drive to Omaha. So one time I got competing.” By Django Greenblatt-Seay
14 Flash July/August 2012 2012 Sam Adams Paige Azure Taylor Baggett Kevin Bahr Westside High Ashland-Greenwood A-H-S-T High Nebraska City High High School Son of High Avoca, Iowa Son of John Adams Daughter of Granddaughter of Keith Bahr Retiree Craig Azure Beverly Baggett Production Operations Congratulations T&D Operations Retiree Graduates! An impressive number of OPPD employees and their families made a fashion statement in caps and gowns at commencement exercises this summer. Stephen Bailey Mark Barrientos Thomas Beebe Joseph Benes There were 128 sons and Burke High Central High Blair High Central High daughters of employees who Son of Son of Stepson of Son of John Bailey Margie Barrientos Rod McKee Joseph Benes received high school diplomas. Substation Operations Customer Service Nuclear Engineering FCS Plant Operations Another 68 graduated from college. Operations A total of 20 employees and 48 children and grandchildren of employees received college degrees, including undergraduate and advanced.
Stephanie Beyea Jessica Blum Austin Brady Michael Briganti Gretna High Millard North High Westside High Creighton Prep Daughter of Daughter of Grandson of Son of Tammy Beyea Philip Blum Rich Clemens Rick Briganti Customer Sales T&D Operations Retiree Production Engineering & Service & Technical Support
Dakota Brown Robyn Burnison Derrick Byers Connor Callahan Benson High Louisville High Bennington High Syracuse High Stepson of Daughter of Son of Son of Joanne Brown Randall Burnison Larry Byers Gaylene Callahan Substation Operations T&D Operations Production Operations T&D Operations
July/August 2012 Flash 15 Dakota Collier LaMar Conner Lindsey Cork Nick Coyne Mary Kate Cronin Zachery Crooks Missouri Valley High Lewis Central High Gross High Millard South High Fremont High Millard West High Missouri Valley, Iowa Council Bluffs, Iowa Daughter of Son of Daughter of Son of Daughter of Son of Nyla Cork Dan Coyne Patrick Cronin Anthony Crooks Jennifer Collier Rissa Conner Human Resources Facilities Management Retiree T&D Operations Nuclear Performance Material Management Improvement & Support
Shelby Dechow Meagan DeMeulmeester Jordan Dinwiddie Andrew Drey Drew Dungan Shelby Easley Gretna High Shawnee Mission West Papillion-LaVista Blair High Creighton Prep Northwest High Daughter of High South High Son of Son of Granddaughter of Phil Dechow Overland Park, Kan. Son of Ron Drey Kristine Dungan, Finance Bernie Livingston FCS Plant Operations Granddaughter of Blaine Dinwiddie Substation Operations Shawn Dungan, Custom- Retiree Bob DeMeulmeester T&D Operations er Service Operations Retiree
Mackenzie Edwards Drake Fanslau Daniel Fechner James Foley Ashley Frolio Brandon Frolio Lincoln North Star High Underwood High Blair High Blair High North High North High Lincoln, Neb. Underwood, Iowa Son of Son of Granddaughter of Grandson of Granddaughter of Son of Adrian Fechner Jim Foley Ron Baldwin Ron Baldwin Bernie Livingston Steve Fanslau Retiree System Planning & Cost Retiree Retiree Retiree Customer Sales & Service Management
Kelly Geschwender Ganon Gorseth Cole Gruber Jamon Hampton Grace Hansen Alex Harris North High Millard South High Papillion-LaVista High Creighton Prep Millard North High Burke High Daughter of Son of Son of Grandson of Daughter of Grandson of James Geschwender Mark Gorseth Bob Gruber Ken Borkowski Jon Hansen Steve Meisinger Nuclear Engineering T&D Operations Safety & Technical Information Technology Executive Retiree Training
16 Flash July/August 2012 Jaclyn Hartung Cameron Hayes Bethany Heitkamp Erin Helmberger Alex Hoskovec Greg Houser Papillion-LaVista South High Blair High Wilson Creek Home School Papillion-LaVista High Blue Valley High Roncalli High Daughter of Son of Dunbar, Neb. Daughter of Overland Park, Kan. Son of Jeff Hartung, T&D Operations Scott Hayes Daughter of Jim Helmberger Grandson of Julie Houser, Finance Granddaughter of Nuclear Performance Tom Heitkamp Substation Operations Jerry Leaver Nephew of James Hartung, Retiree Improvement & Production Operations Retiree Liz Goodroad, Support OPPD Credit Union
Reagan Huber Kelcie Huebner Blaise Hug Joe Imig Caileigh Janicek Lyndsey Janousek Burke High Abraham Lincoln High Auburn High Bryan High Papillion-LaVista Gretna High Granddaughter of Council Bluffs, Iowa Son of Son of South High Daughter of Don McMullen Daughter of Traci Hug John Imig Daughter of Joanne Brown Retiree Bob Huebner Production Operations Customer Sales & Service Lee Janicek Substation Operations Information Technology T&D Operations
Andrew Johnson Drew Johnson Elliot Johnson Jill Jorgensen Monica Keenan Zachary Koch Millard West High Fort Calhoun High Millard North High Burke High Mercy High Skutt High Grandson of Son of Son of Randol Johnson, Daughter of Daughter of Son of Frank Johnson Randy Johnson Production Operations Don Jorgensen Brian Keenan David Koch Retiree Customer Sales & Service Grandson of the late Nuclear Performance Corporate Accounting Information Alfred Cattano, Retiree Improvement & Support Technology Great-Grandson of the late Harry Hildebrand, Retiree
Paul Kurtti Amanda Kuss Ayrton Kuzela Trent Lambert Trevor Larsen Alexandra Leaver Blair High Plattsmouth High Elkhorn South High Fort Worth High Gretna High Arlington High Son of Daughter of Son of Fort Worth, Texas Son of Granddaughter of Donald Kurtti, Jr. Kelley Kuss, Production John Kuzela Grandson of the late Tom Larsen Jerry Leaver FCS Plant Operations Operations FCS Plant Operations Charles “Swede” Lambert, T&D Operations Retiree Phill Kuss, Facilities Retiree Management Nephew of Craig Lambert, Production Operations July/August 2012 Flash 17 Jessica Levine Nicole Levine Jordane Linhart Braxton Lindhorst Rachel Lukowski Christa Manning Millard West High Millard West High Ralston High Ashland-Greenwood Marian High Platteview High Daughter of Daughter of Granddaughter of High Daughter of Daughter of Douglas Levine Douglas Levine Lawrence “Butch” Clark Son of Paula Lukowski Laura Manning FCS Plant Operations FCS Plant Operations Retiree Tom Lindhorst Corporate Marketing & System Planning & Cost T&D Operations Communications Management
Sarah Martin Reagan McCormick Dillon McCoy Kari McDermott Emily McEvoy Katie McGuire Bellevue West High Elkhorn High Blair High Abraham Lincoln High DC West High Millard West High Daughter of Daughter of Son of Council Bluffs, Iowa Valley, Neb. Stepdaughter of Jason Martin Kevin McCormick Susan McCoy Daughter of Daughter of Sharyl McGuire, T&D Production Operations Safety & Technical Nuclear Performance Pat McDermott Lori McEvoy Operations Training Improvement & Support Customer Service FCS Plant Operations Niece of Operations John DeBoer, Retiree
Claire McKamy Megan McNurlin Noelle Miller Elizabeth Moran Hanna Morrison Kalyn Mowrey Millard West High Papillion-LaVista Home School Millard North High Syracuse High Elkhorn High Granddaughter of South High Daughter of Daughter of Daughter of Daughter of Verdell Goldberg Daughter of Ron Miller Ruth Moran Keith Morrison John Mowrey Retiree Bob McNurlin Production Operations Retired Production Operations T&D Operations T&D Operations
Dan Mrla Dylan Nastase Elizabeth Nekola Andrew M. Nelson Brady Oakes Ashlyn Ocander Creighton Prep Gretna High Bryan High Millard North High Nebraska City High Mercy High Son of Son of Daughter of Grandson of Son of Daughter of Lou Mrla Deb Nastase-Quade, Donald Nekola Donald Nelson Dan Oakes James Ocander, T&D T&D Operations Customer Sales & Service T&D Operations Retiree Production Operations Operations Stepson of Granddaughter of the late John Quade, Customer Ted Ocander, Retiree Sales & Service 18 Flash July/August 2012 Nicholas Olsen Jordan O’Neal Jordan Palmisano Lindsey Pate Nicholas Paulsen Katelynn Perdue Millard North High Gretna High Papillion-LaVista Burke High Papillion-LaVista Elkhorn South High Son of Son of South High Daughter of South High Daughter of Kathleen Perdue, Carl Olsen Lee O’Neal Son of Jeff Pate Son of Information Technology Human Resources Production Engineering Mike Palmisano Customer Service Mike Paulsen Doug Perdue, Substation Opera- & Technical Support T&D Operations Operations Production Operations tions, Granddaughter of Arlo Perdue, Retiree
Nick Perkins Ryan Pinkerton Lindsey Quaas Ashley Quade Cassidy Reller Emily Reno Millard West Tri-County High Lewis Central High Millard South High Archbishop Bergan High Blair High Son of DeWitt, Neb. Council Bluffs, Iowa Daughter of John Quade Fremont, Neb. Son of Melanie Daughter of Charles Perkins Son of Daughter of Customer Sales & Service Gade, Nuclear Performance Rayford Reno T&D Operations Roberta Pinkerton Stew Quaas Stepdaughter of Deb Improvement & Support FCS Plant Operations Economic Development Customer Sales & Service Nastase-Quade, Customer Mark Reller, Nuclear Perfor- Sales & Service mance Improvement & Support
David Reynolds Blayne Roberts Ryan Roenigk Justin Schimmer Heather Scholl Taylor Schorsch Bellevue West High Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Blair High Valley Vista High Plattsmouth High Platteview High Son of High Son of Surprise, Ariz. Daughter of Daughter of Robert Reynolds Syracuse, Neb. Richard Roenigk Grandson of Joe Scholl Brad Schorsch Customer Service Operations Son of Nuclear Engineering Mike Everts Production Operations Facilities Management Jim Roberts Retiree T&D Operations
Tyler Schulze Craig Scott Alyssa Shea Jeremy Shipley Ingrid Sletten Emily Smith Millard West High Millard West High Lewis Central High Platteview High Plattsmouth High Central High Son of Grandson of Council Bluffs, Iowa Son of Host daughter of Daughter of Kevin Schulze Jim Stock Daughter of Roger Shipley Joe Scholl Kevin Smith T&D Operations Retiree Shannon Shea Production Operations Production Operations FCS Plant Operations Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support July/August 2012 Flash 19 Mallory Spargen Darrick Spilker Austin Stanek Zachary Stein Dennis Stille Lisa Svoboda Ashland-Greenwood Elkhorn High Millard North Leesville High Ashland-Greenwood Millard South High High Son of Son of Raleigh, N.C. High Daughter of Daughter of Jeffrey Spilker Christopher Stanek Grandson of Son of Mike Svoboda Stephen Spargen Nuclear Engineering Nuclear Engineering Joseph Stein Kevin Stille Information Technology Substation Operations Grandson of Retiree Facilities Management Jack Stanek, Retiree
Ashleigh Teten Michael Thurber Audra Wetrosky Malcolm Willett Kelsey Williams Jordyn Wollenburg Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Burke High Nebraska City High Westside High Central High Gretna High High Son of Daughter of Son of Daughter of Daughter of Syracuse, Neb. John Thurber Dave Wetrosky Joseph Willett Lyle Williams Jeff Wollenburg Daughter of Finance Production Operations FCS Plant Operations T&D Operations Substation Operations Kurt Teten T&D Operations 2012 College
Mariah Young Mitchell Young Tyler Borcyk Erich Brandeau Blair High Grand Island High Five Franco University of Nebraska MIT Granddaughter of Son of Lincoln Cambridge, Mass. Bill Hayes Donald Young Grandchildren Son of Son of Information Technology Information Technology Among Those Dan Borcyk John Brandeau Facilities Management Nuclear Engineering Receiving Degrees Five grandchildren of retiree Fred Franco earned college degrees. The graduates are Barbara, Kathleen and Timothy Franco, along with Elizabeth and Luke Doyle. "We are very proud," said Fred, 84, who retired in 1993 after 41 years Taya Zagurski Bryan Zank Nicholas Briganti Anthony Chase Burke High Benson High at OPPD. He and his wife have six University of Nebraska University of Nebraska Daughter of Son of children and 25 grandchildren. Lincoln Lincoln Laurie Zagurski Terry Zank Son of Son of Corporate Marketing & Corporate Marketing & Rick Briganti Todd Chase Communications Communications Production Engineering Customer Sales & Service & Technical Support 20 Flash July/August 2012 Teri Dixon Elizabeth Doyle Luke Doyle Michael Ferm Barbara Franco Kathleen Franco Master’s Creighton University Cardinal Glennon College Master’s Kaplan University Creighton University Bellevue University School of Pharmacy St. Louis, Mo. Creighton University Granddaughter of Granddaughter of Employee Granddaughter of Grandson of Employee Fred Franco Fred Franco Information Technology Fred Franco Fred Franco Nuclear Site Operations Retiree Retiree Retiree Retiree
Timothy Franco Laura Gabriel Luke Gabriel Cindy Godfrey Kellen Goldberg James Goodroad University of Nebraska Metropolitan University of Nebraska Bellevue University Master’s University of Nebraska Kearney Community College Omaha Employee University of Nebraska Lincoln Grandson of Daughter of Employee Customer Service Medical Center Son of Fred Franco Tom Gabriel Customer Service Operations Grandson of Liz Goodroad, Retiree T&D Operations Operations Verdell Goldberg OPPD Credit Union Son of Tom Gabriel Retiree T&D Operations
Emma Hansen Kayla Hodgson Noah Hoffman Brittany Hoock Jennifer Iwanski Brooke Jenny University of Wyoming Master’s University of Nebraska Peru State College Master’s, UNO University of Nebraska Laramie, Wyo. College of St. Mary Lincoln Daughter of Employee, Customer Omaha Daughter of Daughter of Son of Kim Hoock Service Operations (CSO) Daughter of Jon Hansen Randy Hodgson James Hoffman Facilities Management Wife of Mike Iwanski Patrick Jenny Executive FCS Plant Operations FCS Plant Operations (CSO), Daughter of Robin Production Operations Linhart (CSO)
Nicole Jewell Kaitlin Justice Brian Kellogg Lindsey Kendrick Allison Kozeny Julia Krejci Bellevue University South Dakota State Master’s University of Nebraska Colorado State University of Nebraska Granddaughter of Brookings, S.D. Technical University Lincoln Fort Collins, Colo. Omaha Orval “Pork” Robbins Daughter of Munich, Germany Daughter of Daughter of Laddie Kozeny Daughter of Retiree Adam Justice Son of Shelley Kendrick T&D Operations Bernie Krejci FCS Plant Operations Richard Kellogg Material Management Granddaughter of Retiree Retiree Don Schleich, Retiree July/August 2012 Flash 21 Cayla Kurtenbach Alex Manning Nicholas Matthews Jared McCleskey Averi Nissen Lance Parra Creighton University University of Nebraska Colorado School of Mines University of Nevada Northwestern College University of North Daughter of Omaha Golden, Colo. Son of Reno, Nev. Orange City, Iowa Dakota Dale Kurtenbach Son of Deborah Matthews, FCS Plant Grandson of Daughter of Grand Forks, N.D. Substation Operations Laura Manning Operations, Thomas Matthews, Bob DeMeulmeester Tim Nissen Son of System Planning & Cost Retiree, Grandson of Retiree Substation Operations Ernie Parra Management Norman Marfice, Retiree Fuels
Andrew Peacock Tyler Percifield Stephen Ponec Sara Prince Mark Purnell Jessica Reilly Master’s University of Nebraska University of Nebraska University of Nebraska Ph.D. in Organization & University of Nebraska Bellevue University Omaha Omaha Medical Center Management Omaha Employee Son of Son of College of Pharmacy Capella University Daughter of Operations Analysis Brad Percifield Dave Ponec Daughter of Minneapolis, Minn. Tom Reilly, Jr. T&D Operations Customer Service Patrick Prince Employee Substation Operations Operations Information Technology Customer Sales & Service
Megan Rider Richard Rider Jason Sandene Kyle Schulze Videgla Sekpe Carrie Severa University of Nebraska University of Nebraska Creighton University University of Nebraska Master’s University of Nebraska Medical School Omaha School of Law Omaha University of Nebraska Medical School College of Nursing Son of Son of Son of Omaha College of Nursing Daughter of Alison Rider Tom Sandene Kevin Schulze Employee Daughter of Alison Rider Retiree Nuclear Engineering T&D Operations T&D Operations Larry Lees Retiree Nuclear Engineering
Jeanie Shipman Sarah Smith Tess Strong Lisa Tesarek Kevin Van Winkle Scott Van Winkle University of Nebraska University of Nebraska Capitol School of University of Nebraska Master’s University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha Hairstyling & Esthetics Omaha Creighton University Lincoln College of Pharmacy Daughter of Granddaughter of Daughter of Son of Son of Wife of Michael Smith Roland Strong John Tesarek Doug Van Winkle Doug Van Winkle Jonathan Shipman FCS Plant Operations Retiree Retiree Business Planning & Business Planning & System Planning & Cost Analysis Analysis Management 22 Flash July/August 2012 NOT PICTURED Ryan Callahan Robert Christianson Steve Hansen Bryan Lorence Wayne State Bellevue University Bellevue University Master’s Joshua Bernasek Son of Employee Employee Bellevue University Bellevue University Gaylene Callahan Production Operations T&D Operations Employee Employee T&D Operations Husband of Melissa Production Engineering T&D Operations Nicholas Daniel Hansen, Customer & Technical Support Arlo Christensen Bellevue University Service Operations Ashley Bogle Bellevue University Employee Roger Parkison Master’s Employee T&D Operations Jeff Hanson Bellevue University Production Operations Master’s Employee Kyle Willis University of Nebraska Jeff Fredricks Bellevue University Production Operations Iowa State Kearney Susie Christensen Master’s Employee Ames, Iowa Employee Master’s University of Nebraska Corporate Marketing & Brian Stolinski Son of Customer Service Bellevue University Omaha Communications Bellevue University Sue Floerchinger Operations Daughter of Employee Employee Corporate Auditing Melissa Bojanski Cec Christensen Information Holly Jenkins Substation Operations Creighton University Business Planning & Technology Master’s Daughter of Analysis University of Phoenix Gary Bojanski Employee Retiree Corporate Accounting
People
May-June Service Anniversaries 35 Years Mark Puckett, Fort Calhoun Station Plant Operations Christopher Campos, Information Technology Carolyn McClean, Executive Christina Ritz, Information Technology Michael Daniels, T&D Operations Ronnie Miller, Production Operations Richard Ronning, Fort Calhoun Station Plant John Ewing, Nuclear Performance Improvement & Operations Support 30 Years Richard Schmidt, Fort Calhoun Station Plant Melissa Hansen, Customer Service Operations Rick Briganti, Production Engineering & Technical Operations Jacob Hightower, T&D Operations Support Randal Veik, Production Operations Joseph Kreifels, T&D Operations Michael Burggraf, Nuclear Performance Klint Kudlacek, Fort Calhoun Station Plant Operations Improvement & Support 20 Years Aaron Madsen, Production Operations Jean Corey, Finance Kellie Blickenstaff, Energy Marketing & Trading Charles Mohrhauser, Nuclear Performance Patrick Duckworth, T&D Operations Kristy Grzywa, Customer Service Operations Improvement & Support James Foley, System Planning & Cost Management Greg Hunzeker, Customer Sales & Service Jason Pfaff, T&D Operations Liz Goodroad, OPPD Credit Union Ronald Jorgensen, Facilities Management Scott Schaefer, Production Operations Pete Hanger, Fuels Thomas Muff, Fort Calhoun Station Plant Operations Jane Spires, Environmental & Regulatory Affairs Ray Janiak, Facilities Management Alex O’Brien, T&D Operations Robert Swerczek, Nuclear Engineering Ronald Johansen, Facilities Management Hugh Pedersen, T&D Operations Sue Vanecek, Information Technology Julie Kalasky, Substation Operations Jerry Webster, T&D Operations Dave Whisinnand, Information Technology Glenn Mathis, T&D Operations Joseph Zagata, Nuclear Engineering John Mayhan, System Planning & Cost Management 15 Years Lillian Dawes, Information Technology Robert Plath, Corporate Auditing 5 Years Cynthia Fellman, Human Resources Jon Ressler, Facilities Management Matthew Carson, Nuclear Performance Improvement Curtis Huston, Fort Calhoun Station Plant Operations Jeri Shelor, Customer Service Operations & Support Sharyl McGuire, T&D Operations Theodore Thompson, Fort Calhoun Station Plant Troy Crook, Production Operations Grete Scholz, T&D Operations Operations Dustin Donohue, Nuclear Performance Improvement Leland Shubert, Fort Calhoun Station Plant John Tucker, System Planning & Cost Management & Support Operations Mark Walker, Fort Calhoun Station Plant Operations Sherwood Ellis, Information Technology Michael Troia, Information Technology Michael Hilding, Information Technology 25 Years Jonathan West, Nuclear Performance Improvement Matthew Luczynski, Nuclear Performance Cheryl Beck, Nuclear Performance Improvement & & Support Improvement & Support Support Yolanda Mitchell, Information Technology Ronald Beck, Fort Calhoun Station Plant Operations 10 Years Justin Neumeister, Production Operations Chad Ballain, Customer Sales & Service Joseph Benes, Fort Calhoun Station Plant Operations Thomas Schmeidler, Production Operations Tom Banks, Substation Operations William Blessie, Nuclear Performance Improvement Sarah Schreiner, Information Technology Julie Bissen, Fort Calhoun Station Plant Operations & Support Nathan Seid, Fort Calhoun Station Plant Operations Steven Bley, Production Engineering & Technical Diane Cavenee, Production Operations John Vonderschmidt, Production Operations Support Bill Hansher, Nuclear Performance Improvement & Steven Brink, Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support Support Steven Kelley, Material Management July/August 2012 Flash 23 People
Retirees Joseph Turecek, Substation Crew Leader, Substation High-Voltage Club Operations, retired June 1 with 25 years of service. By Sharon Dickman Kellie Blickenstaff, Energy Joe joined OPPD in December 1987 as a laborer. Marketer, Energy Marketing Linda Whitaker recently had a grandson visit her & Trading, retired June 1 Sympathies from Vancover, Canada. The two of them then trav- with 20 years of service. Kellie eled to Silversprings, Maryland, to visit Linda’s son joined OPPD in June 1992 as Ashley Bogle, Customer Service Operations, for the and family. A great time was had by all... Darrell an engineer. death of her grandfather. Lundy reports his knee surgery went well and Tom Vern Halverson, retiree, for the death of his wife, Urwin had a heart valve replacement. They both Patricia. report it is hard to keep OPPD retirees down… Dawn and Steve Miner had a visit from their son, Justin, Craig Lambert, Production Operations, for the death and his family from Green Bay, Wisconsin. They Damon Castrop, Senior Mar- of his father, Charles “Swede” Lambert, retiree. ket Research Specialist, Cor- went to the Henry Doorly Zoo, attended Springfield porate Marketing & Commu- Dohn Little, FCS Plant Operations and Tammy Days and spent time with family and friends… nications, retired June 1 with Little, Customer Service Operations, for the death of Clifford Peterson, along with two of his car bud- 33 years of service. Damon Dohn’s father. dies, will be driving to Minneapolis in their ’55, ’56 and ’57 Chevys. They are keeping their fingers joined OPPD in November Heath Otte, Customer Service Operations, for the 1979 as a planning analyst. crossed they make it up and back home without any death of his grandfather. problems… A reminder to all retirees that the High Voltage Club is open to all of you. Please contact Randy De George, Right-of- Deaths Carl Martens at 402-392-2224 or Kathy Lindner at 402-332-2803. The club meets on the third Tuesday Way Coordinator, Substation Services were held May 25 for of the month. Operations, retired June 1 Charles “Swede” Lambert, with 33 years of service. 93. Swede retired in July 1983 Randy joined OPPD in May as a working foreman in the 1979 as junior clerk. Electric Operations’ Build- ing Services Department. He worked on the Enola Gay at the Martin Bomber Plant and Ed Jackson, Division Man- was a member of the Omaha Softball Hall of Fame. ager, Material Management, He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marian; sons retired June 1 with 28 years Rick (Jan), Craig (Gale), Jay (Debra) and Todd (Diana); of service. Ed joined OPPD 12 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren; many in January 1984 as a systems nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. specialist. Services were held April 23 for Charles R. McLain, 83. Charles retired in June 1990 as a Shift Supervisor- CeCe and Chuck Carlson spent two weeks in Terry James, Desktop Technician II, Information Tech- Omaha Stations in Production Operations. He proudly April touring Ireland with friends from Minne- nology, retired June 1 with 34 years of service. Terry served in World War II. Charles is survived by his wife sota. They traveled by motor coach all the way joined OPPD in May 1978 as a junior clerk. of 58 years, Margaret; children, Mike (Diane), Charlie around the perimeter. Many sites were seen (Stephanie), Cathy (Craig), Curtis (Kim), and Chris and they were able to kiss the Blarney Stone Stanley Montemayor, Operations Training Specialist, (Sherrie); 15 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchil- at Blarney Castle. They are looking forward to Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support, retired dren. many more adventures in the future. June 1 with 21 years of service. Stan joined OPPD in June 1991 as helper. Services were held for Harold “Pete” Petersen, 83. Harold Dave Perez, Manager, Material Control and Ware- retired in September 1994 house, Material Management, retired June 1 with 38 as a working line crew leader years of service. Dave joined OPPD in October 1974 at the Ashland Office. He is as a utility man. survived by his wife, Charlene; daughter, Nancy (Rick) Fisher; Rhonda Schonscheck, sons, Douglas (Cynthia), Accounting Clerk II, Corporate Daniel and Patrick (Nicole); grandchildren, Jessica, Auditing, retired June 1 with Kelli Jo, Nate, Brian, Ellie and Sam; sisters, Marcy 23 years of service. Rhonda (Robert) Mann and Shirley (Tom) Burkirk; brother, joined OPPD in July 1989 as a Corky (Linda) and many nieces and nephews. stenographer. Services were held June 30 for Sharon Melody, 61. 2012 High-Voltage Club officers are (from left to right) Sharon joined OPPD in July Carl Martens - President, Shirley Strong - Treasurer, 1981 as a word processing Kathy Lindner (sharing President’s Office), Elaine operator and at the time of Diane Therkildsen, Opera- Sundahl - Secretary and Dan Hedrick - Vice President. tions Clerk III, T&D Opera- death held the position of tions, retired June 1 with 14 Executive Administrative Assis- years of service. Diane joined tant in the Executive Office. OPPD in August 1998 as a She is survived by her hus- junior clerk. band, Michael; sister, Donna (Raymond) Novak; brother Louis (Debra); nephews, Scott and Louis and nieces, Alison and Sarah. 24 Flash July/August 2012 OPPD participated in the Gateway to the West Days parade in Blair on June 9. The parade honored the many companies and families impacted by last year’s historic flooding along the Missouri River. Many employees and their family members walked alongside an OPPD service truck, carrying a banner thanking the Blair community and area residents for supporting Fort Calhoun Station, especially during and after the flood.
New App for Android Delivers Mobile Access to Key Resources OPPDConnect for Android is now available on the Google Play Store. The new app features: • Report home and streetlight outages • View the outage map • View energy-efficiency tips and videos • Access residential products and services information The OPPD Society of Engineers (OSE) Board congratulates the following employees who • Contact OPPD by phone or find an obtained their Professional Engineer (PE) certificate. Mike Herzog, Mark Pohl, Adam Gartner, office location on a map Thomas Pham, Zach Johnston, Ryan Le. Not Pictured: Aaron Madsen and Matthew Shriver. • View OPPDCares tweets The professional engineering certification is designed for engineers who have gained at least The OPPD app for the Android debuts four years post-college work experience in their chosen engineering discipline and requires on July 3. passing an eight-hour exam. There are over 6,000 professional engineers registered in the state of Nebraska. Photo by Amanda Underwood.
July/August 2012 Flash 25 ®
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Flood of Memories
The one-year anniversary of the Missouri River flood of 2011 served as a reminder of the unyielding efforts by employees in one of the company’s finest hours. The early days of June marked the first anni- versary of the Missouri River flood of 2011, triggering vivid memories of OPPD’s epic battle to preserve more than $3 billion in assets and ensure delivery of electricity in the midst of surging floodwaters, the likes of which had never been seen in more than a century of record-keeping. While the flood posed one of the great- est threats ever faced by the company, the response of employees will be remembered as one of OPPD’s finest hours. Employees pro- vided a benchmark for weathering a crisis with hasty, yet perfectly executed strategy, supple- mented by sweat and back-straining labor. have responded For nearly four months, floodwaters were over the last 12 held in check by sandbags and other struc- months. Because tures erected to protect the company’s three of your efforts, we baseload power plants, plus critical substa- have been able tions and transmission and delivery lines. The to do the things financial costs were staggering $48 million for that needed to be flood-protection measures and $35 million for done. I remain confident we will be able to do Record floodwaters brought a ded- replacement power – but the enduring legacy so in the future.” icated and focused response from will be the unstinting efforts and sacrifices of Gary also likened the flood to being as close OPPD employees. The inset photo employees. to war as we could ever be. “In such situations, shows the plant as it is today. “The flood touched off a very unsettled those on the front lines often make sacrifices,” period for OPPD,” said President and Chief he said. “That is exactly what I saw from Executive Officer Gary Gates. “Since then we our employees. I saw dedicated and focused have faced a number of trials and unique cir- employees, determined to do whatever was cumstances. In fact, even today, very serious necessary to rise above the occasion and to challenges remain for us. meet the challenges imposed upon us.” “I want to thank each of you for how you