BLAKE PEDERSON
Tucson,AZ
Summary
Dedicated Energy Market professional with a history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand. Proficient in best practices, market trends and regulatory requirements of Wholesale Marketing operations. Talented leader with analytical approach to business planning and day-to-day problem-solving.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director, Wholesale Marketing
Tucson Electric Power Company
09.2020 - 03.2024
- Responsible for the oversight of the Wholesale Marketing trading & scheduling operations for Tucson Electric Power (TEP), UNS Electric (UNSE), and UNS Gas (UNSG).
- Oversaw management and implementation of complex power agreements, credit and risk management procedures and wholesale transmission planning requirements.
- Collaborated in development of Company's procurement plans to ensure adequate, reliable energy supply at the lowest reasonable cost.
- Developed effective strategies related to power procurement, natural gas transportation, and wholesale sales opportunities.
- Extensive knowledge in understanding of wholesale power markets, natural gas pipeline operations and regional transmission operations that impact the Company's resource portfolios.
- Fostered and maintained strategic business relationships with wholesale market participants to effectively develop future power procurement and energy sale opportunities.
- Prepared clear and complete reports and presentations of wholesale marketing activities for senior management, utility regulators and customers.
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Cultivated positive work environment and established culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on projects or business operations.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within organization.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Oversaw operations and provided corrective feedback to achieve daily and long-term goals.
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Mitigated business risks by working closely with staff members and assessing performance.
Manager, Wholesale Marketing and Operations
Tucson Electric Power Co
06.2015 - 09.2020
- Managed personnel and operations of Wholesale Marketing department.
- Oversaw and ensured personnel optimized scheduling of generating resources and utilized sales, purchases to maximize reliability while minimizing overall fuel and purchased power costs for each company.
- Developed and implemented policies, processes and strategies that satisfy daily and hourly demand load requirements in optimal manner.
- Increased team productivity by implementing streamlined processes and effective communication strategies.
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
- Monitored and analyzed market performance, market participant behavior and compliance with market rules.
- Facilitated successful cross-functional collaborations for completion of key projects, fostering strong working relationships among team members.
- Streamlined workflows by identifying bottlenecks in existing systems and proactively addressing these challenges through appropriate solutions implementation.
- Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
Supervisor, Real-time Energy Trading
Tucson Electric Power Co
12.2011 - 06.2015
- Supervised all Real-Time Traders, including onboarding and training of all new hires.
- Performed wholesale energy and gas buying, selling and scheduling activities.
- Collected market data and performed market forecasting and analysis.
- Coordinated energy and natural gas buying activities for purpose of hedging long-term risk and system optimization.
- Increased team productivity by implementing efficient workflows and setting clear expectations for staff members.
- Established performance metrics for team, consistently tracking progress towards goals and making adjustments as needed.
- Oversaw daily operations of hourly trading desk, ensuring smooth workflow and timely completion of tasks.
- Achieved results by working with staff to meet established targets.
- Maintained compliance with all applicable Federal/State regulations, company policies, objectives, and communication goals.
- Developed and updated tracking spreadsheets for process monitoring and reporting.
Energy Marketer
Tucson Electric Power Co
02.2010 - 12.2011
- Performed wholesale energy and gas trading and scheduling activities.
- Managed and maintained daily accounting of pricing and volumes along with corresponding power and natural gas flows.
- Administered RFP's for power and natural gas supplies, negotiating with representatives of other utilities, co-generators, or independent power and/or natural gas producers.
- Enhanced profit margins with effective negotiation and relationship-building skills.
- Managed risk exposure by executing hedges and utilizing advanced forecasting techniques.
- Streamlined trade execution processes, improving efficiency and reducing errors.
- Optimized resource portfolio and energy trading strategies by analyzing market trends and historical data.
- Developed customized pricing models to accurately predict market fluctuations.
Real Time Energy Trader
Tucson Electric Power Co
02.2006 - 02.2010
- Responsible for buying and selling energy on hourly basis to maximize profitability.
- Monitored trading activity and positions consistently throughout shift.
- Coordinated contingency plans during critical system operating events.
- Optimized energy trading strategies by analyzing market trends and historical data.
- Forecast, model, and analyze load profiles to develop plans to fulfill load requirements optimizing all available resources and assets.
- Maintained awareness and understanding of applicable Federal and State regulations.
Education
Master of Business Administration - MBA - Business Administration and Management
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA07.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Economics
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ12.2002
Skills
- Business strategies
- Customer relations
- Leadership
- Policies and Procedures Implementation
- Operations management
- Strategic Planning
- Communications
- Staff Management
- Risk analysis and management
- Contract Management
- Contract Negotiation
- Data collection and analysis
- Organization
- Department Oversight
- Analytical Thinking
- Performance Improvements
Certification
NERC Balancing and Interchange Operator Certification 04/14/2005
Eller Executive Education Advanced Leadership Program from The University of Arizona.
Timeline
Director, Wholesale Marketing
Tucson Electric Power Company
09.2020 - 03.2024
Manager, Wholesale Marketing and Operations
Tucson Electric Power Co
06.2015 - 09.2020
Supervisor, Real-time Energy Trading
Tucson Electric Power Co
12.2011 - 06.2015
Energy Marketer
Tucson Electric Power Co
02.2010 - 12.2011
Real Time Energy Trader
Tucson Electric Power Co
02.2006 - 02.2010
Master of Business Administration - MBA - Business Administration and Management
Liberty University
Bachelor of Arts - Economics
University of Arizona
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