James Russell Huffman
Athens,GA
Summary
Dynamic leader in power plant operations with a proven track record of enhancing efficiency and productivity. Successfully directed diverse teams across multiple assets, implementing strategic initiatives that improved capacity factors and streamlined processes. Committed to achieving organizational goals while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President Operations
Georgia Renewable Power LLC
Athens, GA
01.2022 - Current
- Directed commercial, environmental, operational, and technical activities for two biomass fired generation assets, optimizing portfolio performance.
- Executed capital improvement projects that raised plant capacity factors from 73% to 88%, enhancing overall productivity.
- Implemented process discipline to elevate operations and maintenance performance across the organization.
Operations Process Improvement Manager
GNPOWER MARIVELES COAL PLANT
, Philippines
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Led the GNPower Operations Process Improvement Project, utilizing extensive experience to enhance operational processes at GMCP’s two-unit 632 MW Mariveles Coal Plant.
- Led process improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency at the coal plant.
- Analyzed workflows to identify bottlenecks and streamline production processes.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement best practices and optimize performance.
General Manager California Operations
GREENLEAF POWER LLC
Sacramento, CA
01.2010 - 01.2018
- Led management team of 120 employees, overseeing operating and capital budgets totaling $75 M to drive operational success.
- Managed power delivery contracts with SDG&E, Imperial Irrigation District, and PG&E, achieving annual EBITDA of $15 - $20 M.
- Directed commercial, environmental, operational, and technical activities for four biomass fired generation assets, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
Plant Manager
San Juan Generating Station
San Juan, NM
01.2003 - 01.2009
- Spearheaded all business, environmental, operational, and regulatory activities for PNM’s four-unit, 1,800 MW coal fired power plant.
- Innovated and executed strategic initiatives to boost productivity and efficiency, cut employee injury rates, and drive attainment of ambitious corporate financial goals throughout the entire plant.
- Orchestrated business and process re-engineering to streamline work processes, reduce production costs, and enhance safety culture while sustaining optimal production levels.
- Developed a diverse management team that effectively managed 350 employees to optimize capacity factor performance.
- Developed, allocated, controlled, and reported on 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year plant production budgets and plans, including annual $250M Fuels budget, $100M O&M budget, and $5+ million Capital budget.
- Reduced plant accidents, injuries, and near-misses through adoption of Bobby Jones Behavioral Justification and Root Cause Analysis, fostering a safer work environment.
- Sustained plant performance during a contentious implemented labor agreement by leading labor negotiations and administering agreements with IBEW Local 611.
Education
Master of Business Administration -
Heriot-Watt University
Edinburgh, ScotlandAssociate of Applied Science - Engineering Technology
San Juan College
Farmington, NMSkills
- Power Plant Operations
- Coal Fired Plant Experience
- Operational Excellence
- Production Optimization
- Process improvement
- Strategic Planning
- Budget management
- Compliance Management
- Safety Programming
- Workforce Management
- Team leadership
Personal Information
Title: Six Sigma Green Belt, National Board Boiler & Pressure Vessel Inspector, American Welding Society Welding Inspector
Training And Development
- Public Utility Executive Course – University of Idaho
- Program & Project Management; Principles & Practices – UCLA
- Strategic Planning – American Management Association
- Successful Project Management – American Management Association
- Self-Directed Workforce – American Management Association
- Improving Organizational Effectiveness – American Management Association
- Finance & Accounting for Non-Finance Professionals – American Management Association
- Understanding Energy – American Management Association
- Market Forecasting Techniques – Resource Data International
Timeline
Vice President Operations
Georgia Renewable Power LLC
01.2022 - Current
Operations Process Improvement Manager
GNPOWER MARIVELES COAL PLANT
01.2018 - 01.2022
General Manager California Operations
GREENLEAF POWER LLC
01.2010 - 01.2018
Plant Manager
San Juan Generating Station
01.2003 - 01.2009
Master of Business Administration -
Heriot-Watt University
Associate of Applied Science - Engineering Technology
San Juan College