Skilled Workers in High Demand for Trade Industries Nationwide (Bonneville Power Administration)

(PORTLAND, OR) – Bonneville Power Administration employees will participate in the Oregon Tradeswomen’s 2019 Career Fair on May 17 and 18 at the National Electrical Contractors Association and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers training center. BPA representatives will share their experiences and demonstrate some of the skills they use to keep hydropower flowing in the Northwest.

The Oregon Tradeswomen’s 27th annual career fair features workshops and exhibits staffed by volunteers who are passion about their work and are committed to encouraging women and young girls to explore opportunities in non-traditional fields.

“BPA transmission grid is the backbone for affordable, renewable power in the Pacific Northwest,” said Robin Furrer, BPA’s vice president for Transmission Field Services. “We employ almost 1,000 people in the electrical crafts and trades. The tradeswomen’s career fair is an outstanding venue to create awareness and interest in crafts and trades where qualified workers are in high demand.”

Grisel Mendez is an electronics engineer at BPA. She is one of the many volunteers and trades representatives sharing their stories at the event.

“Every day is unique and I’m always working on something new,” said Mendez. “I could be teaching, testing equipment or out at a site. I work with a variety of people, in multiple organizations, and on various projects. It all keeps my work very interesting.”

Oregon Tradeswomen is relying on stories from people like Mendez to bring a boost to industries searching for uniquely skilled workers.

“The construction industry in Oregon is experiencing a worker shortage,” said Mary Ann Naylor, Communications and Marketing Director at Oregon Tradeswomen. “This event brings together fundamental resources for people who want to work in the trades, including information on how to access debt-free career training and opportunities for paid, on-the-job learning.”

The event takes place at the NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center at 16021 NE Airport Way, Portland, Oregon. Mendez and other BPA tradeswomen will be first speaking to students attending with their schools on May 17, and then to the public on May 18 at the Careers for Women Day. They’ll be discussing various opportunities in the electric utility trades and demonstrating skills such as surveying, bucket truck operation and safe use of a fire extinguisher.

BPA is a proud sponsor of the Oregon Tradeswomen’s 2019 Career Fair. Learn more about the event at www.tradeswomen.net/fair/. You may also contact Naylor at maryann@tradeswomen.net, 503-335-8200, extension 126, or 503-819-9201.

Clark Public Utilities General Manager & CEO Wayne Nelson Announces Retirement – Board Names Director of Communications & Employee Resources Lena Wittler To Role Effective June 4

(VANCOUVER, WA) - In a regular public meeting today, the Clark Public Utilities Board of Commissioners selected Lena Wittler as the new General Manager and CEO and recessed to executive session to discuss compensation. Before adjourning, the board reconvened to introduce a resolution to adopt the General Manager and CEO’s employment agreement, with an annual salary of $240,000, a $400 car allowance, and all benefits currently afforded regular employees, for consideration during the June 4 regular meeting.

General Manager and CEO Wayne Nelson will retain his role as General Manager and CEO through June 4 and will remain in the role of General Counsel through the end of June.

Following public discussion and comment on agenda item “Consideration of Selection of CEO/General Manager,” Commissioner Jane Van Dyke proposed elevating Wittler to the role of General Manager and CEO, which was seconded by Commissioner Jim Malinowski. The resolution was approved in a unanimous vote.

“This utility is respected in the industry and by our customers and Ms. Wittler has been instrumental in both fostering and nurturing relationships with our various stakeholders,” said Commissioner Barnes, board president. “Ms. Wittler has a deep and unique understanding of the opportunities ahead as well as the challenges our industry is facing and provides a measured, data-driven approach to leadership as we execute our priorities going forward.”

Wittler is a 20-year veteran of the utility industry, having served in a variety of finance, human resources and communications roles, most recently as the Director of Communications and Employee Resources, overseeing all communications, public affairs, utility-wide research and analytics, human resources and loss control. 

Noting the utility’s unique culture of customer service, the board chose to interview and evaluate only senior internal leaders in the succession planning process.

“Much like the broad perspective, Mr. Nelson brought to his role, having served as general legal counsel prior to serving as GM/CEO, Ms. Wittler has a unique 360-degree view of the utility. She’s led utility research and analytics for more than a decade, overseeing all customer and internal communications, and managing legislative policy and public affairs,” said Commissioner Van Dyke.

Wittler is widely respected in the utility as a pragmatic and measured leader with an ability to navigate complex issues diplomatically and with a broad perspective. Prior to her work with the utility, she worked in education and judicial support. She holds a B.A. from Willamette University and an M.B.A. from the University of Portland. Throughout her career, Wittler has established a reputation as an advocate for employee culture as a driver of customer service, and is active in the industry research community, providing a deep and comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead.

The board acknowledged the profound legacy Nelson will leave. In the course of his nearly 30-year career, he led the utility through significant transitions during which it has been widely regarded as best in class and ranked highest in customer satisfaction among midsize electric utilities in the West by J.D. Power for 11 years in a row.

“As commissioners, we have been fortunate to have steady leadership at the helm of this utility, in addition to consistency and experience among my board colleagues,” said Malinowski. “The employee culture of this organization is uniquely customer-focused and as a board we believe it’s important to maintain our tradition of high customer satisfaction through consistent leadership and cultural cohesion. For that reason, an elevation of a current employee to the General Manager role was a natural path.”

During his tenure, Nelson established an organizational commitment to doing what’s right for all customers, providing safe and high-quality power and water in an environmentally responsible way, while delivering consistently excellent customer service. The board’s objective through this leadership transition is to uphold and further improve the programs and services of the PUD while maintaining the core principles of affordability, reliability, and customer focus.

“Going forward, our priorities are the same – providing high-quality service with responsibility, accountability and transparency,” said Commissioner Barnes. “Reliable and affordable electric and water service is paramount to our lives and to business in Clark County. As customers of Clark Public Utilities, we all benefit when the utility runs smoothly and I am confident that this next chapter of leadership will continue in our tradition of excellence.”

About Clark Public Utilities
Clark Public Utilities is a customer-owned public utility that provides electric service to nearly 200,000 customers throughout Clark County. The utility also provides water service to nearly 40,000 homes and businesses in the Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek, Lakeshore, Hockinson, Brush Prairie, La Center, Meadow Glade, Amboy and Yacolt areas. More information available at www.clarkpublicutilities.com.

Firefighters Battle Train-Sparked Brush Fires near Grand Mound (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

(GRAND MOUND, WA) -- West Thurston Regional Fire and the Department of Natural Resources battled a series of brush fires in the vicinity of Old Highway 9 and James Road near Grand Mound starting late Tuesday morning.

According to West Thurston Fire, the fires are believed to have been caused by a train kicking up sparks. Authorities say breezy north winds pushed fires away from the railroad tracks and into area tree lines.

A DNR helicopter responded with several water drops aiding multiple ground crews from local fire agencies in gaining the upper hand on the fires. No injuries were reported. Several roads in the area were closed while crews fought the fires.