Expert Details
Transmission and Distribution Power line Utility worker safety, High Voltage Electrical accidents, Expert witness, etc.
ID: 734176
California, USA
With over 33 years in the transmission and distribution power industry expert has constructed, maintained, and led line crews as a foreman and line supervisor. Additionally, his experience, education and expertise have enabled him to provide training, accident investigation, project management and expert witness services. He has been at the forefront of delivering training to utilities from power to telecom, leading a team in Sacramento, he developed and oversaw creating the largest service provider for training in 2000 for SBC (Southwest Bell) for their field staff to install the largest rollout of DSL. An ability to move quickly and successfully enabled him to open a Northern and Southern California training facility along with a facility in Texas for SBC.
Expert's passion is identifying and developing leaders at the field level, his book is a must read for the individual seeking to lead and direct line crews as a foreman. He has been a featured contributor to T&D World magazine and to the APPA.
Expert witness in matters pertaining to electric power utility worker safety, training, business operations, etc.
LINE SUPERVISOR-BUSINESS OPERATIONS
SMUD Power Academy - Develop the business case and plan for SMUD’s proposed power line technical training business
Asset Management division - Leading and directing overhead and underground Line Maintenance crews.
Developed and directed the maintenance of all SMUD’s 69kV switches, distribution automated capacitor banks and Reclosers.
Various business units within transmission & distribution services, meter and service, timekeeping, safety and training and crew scheduling. Maintained emergency on-call schedule for entire Line department and provided input on employee leadership and development plans and reports.
Managed, led and assisted Grid Assets T&D engineering in the development of work procedures for the entire G.A. T&D Line Department.
Managed GO 165 implementation and maintenance work, led and directed line crews in completion of asset management work.
Developing line and system operations distribution automation procedures for smart grid implementation.
Prepare budgets and provide forecasting for business units. Lead and direct field forces and administrative personnel.
Developed Pole climbing, rigging, Personal Protective Grounding, and transformer training manuals and curriculum.
Design and deliver series of classes for pole climbing, live-line work, rigging, high-voltage line equipment and other T&D crafts related skills development.
Developed and implemented apprentice crew training curriculum and scheduling.
Lead developer of DS Line work procedures, developing, implementing, and distributing. Managing subject matter experts and gathering their input for procedural development.
Maintenance Planner-field checked jobs prior to releasing for field crews to perform work.
Line Inspector – Oversaw work performed by contractors installing and maintaining overhead and underground infrastructure.
Certified by BST (Behavior Science Technology) as a Behavior based safety observer and steering committee facilitator
Journeyman Lineman
Training and developing high voltage powerline workers, Write procedures for all aspects of T&D safety and work practices, Write procedures for Transmission and distribution personal protective grounding practices, project management, etc.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 2005 | Degree: Bachelors of Science | Subject: Business Management | Institution: University of Phoenix |
| Year: 1980 | Degree: NA | Subject: General Studies | Institution: California State University Sacramento |
| Year: 1978 | Degree: NA | Subject: General Studies | Institution: American River Community College |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2015 to 2017 | Employer: Self Employed | Title: Owner | Department: |
Responsibilities:• Provide expertise for utilities developing work and safety procedures for all line construction tasks and maintenance• Review existing construction standards and recommend updates and revisions • Provide leadership and professionalism workshops for utilities and the IBEW Local 1245 • Develop, write and review Wildfire Mitigation Plans, risk assessments and opinions and also act as an Independent Third Party for reviewing plans • Recommend and training programs for new employees, develop apprenticeship programs for utilities • Consult on legal and regulatory standards as they relate to the Electric Power Industry, including line construction, work methods, work practices, hi voltage linework training, and so forth • Compose detailed expert witness reports and declarations • Research and gather information in the following areas: ◆ NESC, FED-OSHA, CAL-OSHA (Title 8), General Orders 95, 128, 165 and 174, and other, state, and local rules and regulations ◆ Field investigations • Involvement in trials, depositions and arbitrations • Investigate and consult regarding accidents involving electrical utility systems: ◆ Injuries and property damage ◆ Personal Protective Grounding ◆ Electric utility work methods ◆ MAD (Minimum Approach Distance) violations ◆ Underground Cable Identification violations ◆ Product Liability ◆ Insurance claims ◆ Electrical contacts and electrocutions ◆ Electrical contact by telecommunications workers |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2007 to 2017 | Employer: West Coast Utility Solutions | Title: Owner | Department: |
Responsibilities:Consulting, day-to-day business operations. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2002 to 2015 | Employer: SMUD GRID ASSETS TRANSMISSION & DISTRIBUTION | Title: SMUD GRID ASSETS TRANSMISSION & DISTRIBUTION | Department: |
Responsibilities:Leading and directing line crews in the routine business operations of installing, repairing and maintaining the Sacramento Municipal Utility District's Power Grid. Storm outage restoration, consult with engineers on products and equipment. All aspects of the business from budgets to performance. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2000 to 2001 | Employer: Frontline Training | Title: President | Department: |
Responsibilities:Develop business plan and pro forma financials for telecommunications crafts workers. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1999 to 2000 | Employer: Trade Tech – Technical Vocational Training | Title: President | Department: |
Responsibilities: Manage all aspects of day-to-day operations as multi-site owner.o All aspects of business planning, forecasting, budgeting and marketing of business. o Developed written curriculum for crafts training including, pole climbing, rigging, basic electrical theory, transformer training, etc. o Finances: accounts payable/receivable, invoicing, insurance billing, budgeting. o Accreditation by the Department of Consumer Affairs as an instructor and administrator of a post-secondary vocational school for the State of California. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1997 to 1998 | Employer: Northwest Linemans College | Title: Vice President | Department: |
Responsibilities: Manage day-to-day field training operations.o Taught field and academic courses o Assisted in the budgetary development |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1996 to 1997 | Employer: SACRAMENTO MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT | Title: Line Foreman | Department: |
Responsibilities:o Run a 4-man line crew installing, and maintaining the District’s overhead and underground transmission, sub-transmission and distribution power line infrastructure.o Respond to emergency outage restoration calls. o Taught after hours’ apprentice lineman night school. o Provided training at the District’s Hedge training facility for apprentice and pre-apprentice linemen to include: • Pole climbing • Live-line work, rubber glove and hot sticks • Transformer and basic electrical theory • Rigging • Scenario-based situations • G.O. 95 and 128 • Design construction standards • High-voltage equipment and devices • Wire stringing operations • Transmission work, tower and steel pole erection o 3x International Lineman’s Rodeo Municipal Champions o 2x International Lineman’s Rodeo Top Contractor Champions o Multiple National Championships in Rubber Gloving and Hot Stick events. o 2x International Champion Pole Top Rescue |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1984 to 1990 | Employer: SACRAMENTO MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT | Title: Lineman | Department: |
Responsibilities:Construct, install and maintain utility’s electric power grid infrastructure. Experienced in all facets of construction of the power delivery supply in transmission and overhead and underground distribution systems. |
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Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| • NFPA • Member of the IEEE – Consultants Network • TASA (Technical Advisory Service for Attorneys) • MEMBER OF THE TDMMA STEERING COMMITTEE 2013-2015 (Transmission Distribution Maintenance Management Association) |
| Licenses / Certifications |
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| Certified - Journeyman Lineman |
| Publications and Patents Summary |
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| Available upon request. |