Jerry Purvis
Vice President, Environmental Affairs
Richmond,KY
Summary
With a proven track record at EKPC, I excel in strategic planning and team leadership, driving process improvements and organizational development. My expertise in project management and coaching has fostered high-performing teams, achieving sustainable growth and maintaining regulatory compliance, ensuring fiscal responsibility with a focus on innovation and efficiency.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President, Environmental Affairs
East Kentucky Power Cooperative, Inc.
06.2017 - Current
- Led cross-functional teams for the successful completion of major projects, resulting in increased efficiency and client satisfaction.
- Collaborated with senior management to develop strategic initiatives and long term goals.
- Identified opportunities to improve business process flows and productivity.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement, fostering innovation and driving sustainable growth across the organization.
- Demonstrated proficient leadership skills to motivate employees and build competent environmental technical and legal teams.
- Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, vendors, regulators, and community leaders to promote collaboration and long-term success.
- Managed financial planning and budgeting processes, ensuring fiscal responsibility and being at or below plant, capital or environmental budget since 2006.
- Negotiated high-value environmental permits that extracted maximum asset value while mitigating risks for the organization.
- Ensured state and federal regulatory compliance at all times by implementing robust compliance plans, internal controls systems coupled with proactive communication, training and monitoring mechanisms.
- Leveraged technology to task, track, streamline processes, resulting in increased productivity, low head count and cost savings to the organization.
- Spearheaded initially environmental organizational restructuring initiatives, streamlining operations, reducing costs and maintaining a state and federal compliant record.
- Built high-performance 2004-2007 ( plant maintenance optimization), post 2007, environmental technical teams through effective recruitment practices focused on competency alignment coupled with ongoing professional performance management practices.
- Initiated via environmental federal policy 2023 communication to influence and drive strategy to lower carbon footprint fleetwide.
Director of Environmental Affairs
EKPC
06.2011 - 06.2017
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Improved project efficiency with strategic planning, resource allocation, and time management practices.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Implemented innovative solutions to solve complex problems, resulting in increased productivity and streamlined operations.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within the organization.
- Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on projects or business operations.
- Evaluated employee performance objectively using established metrics, leading to fair compensation adjustments based on meritocracy principles.
- Boosted client satisfaction rates through exceptional relationship management and prompt resolution of issues.
- Optimized staff performance by designing comprehensive training programs tailored to individual needs.
Environmental Affairs Manager
EKPC
12.2007 - 01.2012
- Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
- Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
- Controlled costs to keep business operating within budget and increase profits.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Maintained professional, organized, and safe environment for employees and patrons.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
- Managed budgets effectively, ensuring optimal financial performance while investing in necessary resources for business growth.
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
- Built high-performing teams through effective recruitment, onboarding, and talent development initiatives.
- Mentored junior team members for career advancement, fostering a pipeline of future leaders within the organization.
- Improved safety procedures to create safe working conditions for workers.
- Developed a strong company culture focused on employee engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning opportunities.
Cooper Station, Maintenance Superintendent
EKPC
05.2006 - 12.2007
- Established successful procedures for day-to-day operations and long-term planning.
- Evaluated subcontractor performance regularly, ensuring adherence to contract requirements and maintaining accountability throughout the lifecycle of each project.
- Implemented safety protocols for reduced workplace accidents and improved employee wellbeing.
- Analyzed reports to identify areas of improvement and implement corrective action.
- Worked with specialized teams to accomplish all objectives and achieve goals.
- Reviewed plans and inspected ongoing construction to keep work in line with project goals.
- Managed multiple simultaneous projects while maintaining strict deadlines and adhering to budget constraints.
- Supported project coordination and smooth workflow by coordinating materials, inspections, and contractor actions.
- Resolved conflicts between staff and customers swiftly and professionally.
- Managed complete construction process to maximize quality, cost-controls and efficiency.
- Championed continuous improvement initiatives within the organization, introducing new methodologies to increase productivity and reduce overall project costs.
- Enhanced project efficiency by streamlining communication between team members and stakeholders.
Sr. Plant Engineer
EKPC
05.2002 - 05.2006
- Influenced change management processes, facilitating smooth transitions during major organizational shifts.
- Participated in risk assessment exercises aimed at minimizing potential hazards within the facility.
- Mentored junior engineers, fostering a culture of professional development and knowledge sharing.
- Utilized data-driven approaches for identifying areas of inefficiency within the plant''s operation processes.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to achieve project objectives on time and within budget constraints.
- Implemented continuous improvement initiatives, driving sustainable gains in operational effectiveness.
- Liaised with regulatory authorities during periodic inspections or audits.
- Reviewed regular inspection reports for assessing equipment health status over time.
- Managed capital projects, ensuring successful completion while adhering to cost, scope, and quality requirements.
- Enhanced production efficiency by redesigning plant layouts and streamlining workflows.
- Provided technical expertise during equipment procurement activities, ensuring compatibility with existing systems and future growth potential.
- Optimized plant performance by implementing innovative engineering solutions and process improvements.
- Coordinated with vendors and suppliers to procure necessary components at the most competitive prices while maintaining product quality.
- Reduced equipment downtime with proactive maintenance planning and root cause analysis.
- Maintained open communication channels to verify prescribed operational levels for equipment and tasks.
- Designed and enforced best-practice methodologies.
- Organized and managed maintenance staff to fulfill requirements via scheduling and delegation.
Sr. Production Engineer - Chemical
EKPC
05.2000 - 05.2002
- onducted regular audits on production floor practices ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
- Designed and incorporated process design improvements.
- Assessed other activities related to production and recommended changes to improve overall productivity.
- Partnered with supply chain management to optimize inventory levels, reducing carrying costs without sacrificing operational readiness.
- Performed root cause analysis and implemented corrective actions.
- Communicated with other team members to enhance process and performance.
- Read and analyzed blueprints and project documentation to develop workflows and strategies.
- Provided engineering support during equipment installation and commissioning phases of new projects, ensuring seamless integration into current processes.
- Managed capital projects from inception to completion, ensuring timely delivery within budget constraints.
- Established preventive maintenance programs that minimized unscheduled downtime while extending equipment life span.
- Created proposals for equipment and instrument implementation to increase productivity and reduce maintenance expenses.
- Routinely supervised multiple contractors on maintenance and capital construction projects, providing project leadership, direction, managing budgets, tasks, schedule and quality product delivery.
- Served as a technical liaison between internal teams and external contractors or suppliers for effective project management and execution.
Production Engineer I, II, III
EKPC
05.1994 - 05.2000
- Managed production schedules, ensuring timely delivery of products while maintaining high quality standards.
- Performed root cause analysis and implemented corrective actions.
- Provided technical support to troubleshoot equipment issues, minimizing downtime and maintaining production targets.
- Communicated with other team members to enhance process and performance.
- Utilized chemical engineering and computer programming skills to refresh and rewrite code for EKPC fuel evaluation program, a program that still today calculates lower boiler maintenance costs based on fuel quality, transportation, and ash disposal costs.
- Utilized fluid mechanic and mechanical engineering skills in all of the power plant fleet and new construction at Smith Station (December 1994 - 1996 units 1,2,3), Dale Station rehabilation from filter building, service water, pumps, piping, softeners, evaporators, dearators, lab sampling process, instruments, Spurlock / Cooper Station water treatment processes, boiler water chemistry, steam quality,
Education
MBA - Finance, And Accounting
Morehead State University
Morehead, KY 05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
Morehead State University / Centre College
Morehead, KY 05.2001 -
Skills
Team leadership
Accomplishments
Professionally managed 9 -10 teams in 2023-2024 that delivered 5 EPA compliance plans, 3 declaration of harms to support 3 federal court cases,
Assembled and professionally manage two technical air permitting outside teams, two NEPA outside teams and two outside legal teams to address EKPC and executive business needs for more generation for fossil and solar
Expanded bandwidth to support EKPC economic development with regards to NAAQS siting and assessment, i.e landing new generation to support economic development in federally acceptable locations
Leading effort to secure environmental clearances under NEPA and RUS regulations for new generation i.e. RICE, Cooper, Spurlock, new SCCT and CCGTs, and (7) EKPC solar arrays, 45 transmission capital projects under Empowering Rural America
Elected to NRECA Environmental Policy Council Vice Chair 2021, Chair 2023
Elected to Chair Midwest Ozone Group, 75 plus utilities 2020
Utilities Exchange KY - Chair 2025
Timeline
Vice President, Environmental Affairs
East Kentucky Power Cooperative, Inc.
06.2017 - Current
Director of Environmental Affairs
EKPC
06.2011 - 06.2017
Environmental Affairs Manager
EKPC
12.2007 - 01.2012
Cooper Station, Maintenance Superintendent
EKPC
05.2006 - 12.2007
Sr. Plant Engineer
EKPC
05.2002 - 05.2006
MBA - Finance, And Accounting
Morehead State University
05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
University of Kentucky
05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
Morehead State University / Centre College
05.2001 -
Sr. Production Engineer - Chemical
EKPC
05.2000 - 05.2002
Production Engineer I, II, III
EKPC
05.1994 - 05.2000
Similar Profiles
Cody LawhornCody Lawhorn
Plant Operator at East Kentucky Power CooperativePlant Operator at East Kentucky Power Cooperative
Monty Kyle Shadoan, P.E.Monty Kyle Shadoan, P.E.
Maintenance Manager at East Kentucky Power CooperativeMaintenance Manager at East Kentucky Power Cooperative
Robin BurtonRobin Burton
Nutrition Program Assistant at The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension OfficeNutrition Program Assistant at The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Office