Michael Bawner Jr.
Summary
Technical Operations professional with 12+ years of experience supporting continuous, stable, and compliant operation of complex industrial processing systems. Skilled in monitoring, troubleshooting, and maintaining mechanical, electrical, and water/steam systems in high-risk, regulated environments. Strong background in DCS operations, water chemistry testing, equipment inspections, start-ups/shutdowns, preventive maintenance, emissions awareness, and safety procedures. Brings a proven ability to learn new plant systems quickly (boilers, HRSGs, cooling towers) and follow structured, standard operating procedures. Highly reliable, safety driven and well suited for the Power Plant Operator/Technician I role.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Control Room Operator | Fire Brigade Technician
Valero Energy Corporation
Benicia, CA
10.2015 - Current
- Operate and monitor distributed control systems (DCS) to oversee pressures, temperatures, flow rates, and equipment status—supporting stable and efficient plant performance.
- Perform regular equipment rounds, visually inspecting pumps, valves, turbines, motors, exchangers, and utility systems to identify abnormal operating conditions.
- Conduct water and process sampling, checking pH, conductivity, temperature, and system chemistry to prevent corrosion, scaling, and equipment damage—transferrable to RO/HRSG/cooling tower environments.
- Assist with system start-ups, shutdowns, isolations, and equipment alignments to maintain safe and reliable operations during maintenance or abnormal events.
- Perform preventive maintenance tasks when conditions allow, including lubrication, basic mechanical checks, and equipment cleaning/housekeeping.
- Issue, review, and verify safe work permits including LOTO, confined space entry, line breaks, and hot work, ensuring full compliance with regulatory and site safety procedures.
- Observe environmental and air-emissions related conditions; report deviations, generate work requests, and support mitigation planning.
- Maintain highly detailed shift logs, operational records, equipment notes, and control-room documentation to support compliance and operational transparency.
- Respond to alarms and troubleshoot abnormal process conditions, coordinating adjustments with adjacent units to maintain safe operating limits.
- Serve on the Emergency Response Team (fire, spill response, rescue), ensuring rapid mitigation and safe resolution of emergencies.
Field Technician | Hydroblast Crew Supervisor
Philip Services Corporation (PSC)
Martinez, CA
08.2013 - 10.2015
- Supervised hydroblast crews during shutdowns and high-risk maintenance operations involving boilers, exchangers, pipelines, and high-pressure systems.
- Performed mechanical troubleshooting on pumps, valves, hoses, and hydroblast/vacuum systems, ensuring safe and efficient equipment functionality.
- Conducted daily JSAs, toolbox talks, and safety briefings, reinforcing proper PPE use, hazard recognition, and procedural compliance.
- Supported equipment isolation and lockout/tagout for maintenance teams.
Education
High School Diploma -
FAME Charter School
Brentwood, CASkills
- Refinery Operations Support
- DCS/SCADA Monitoring (Honeywell Experion)
- Boiler & Steam System Monitoring
- Cooling Tower Operations Water Flow Management
- Water Chemistry Testing pH Conductivity
- Pumps, Valves, Compressors, Motors, Exchangers
- Start-Ups, Shutdowns & System Alignments
- Air Quality & Emissions Observation
- Preventive Maintenance (PM) & Equipment Lubrication
- Safety Compliance LOTO Confined Space Hot Work
- Mechanical Troubleshooting & Field Diagnostics
- Alarm Response Abnormal Condition Recognition
- Shift Logs Reports Documentation
- Teamwork Communication Procedure Compliance
Certification
- NFPA 1081 – Advanced Exterior Industrial Fire Brigade
- Hazardous Materials Technician
- CPR & Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
- Rope Rescue & Confined Space Certified
- Lockout/Tagout & OSHA Compliance Training
Timeline
Control Room Operator | Fire Brigade Technician
Valero Energy Corporation
10.2015 - Current
Field Technician | Hydroblast Crew Supervisor
Philip Services Corporation (PSC)
08.2013 - 10.2015
High School Diploma -
FAME Charter School