Lesli Foster

As a supervising program manager, I manage large power delivery and nuclear projects as well as employees. My current portfolio of projects consists of over $30M in (110 engineering only projects) programs. I manage a variety of engineering programs including electric vehicle charging stations, storm hardening, transmission line improvements, federal AMI projects and classified nuclear projects.

• Oversees daily operations ensuring smooth workflow and timely completion of tasks.
• Strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills maintain team efficiency and organize workflows.
• Increase team productivity by implementing efficient workflows and setting clear expectations for staff members.
• Enhances communication within the team by holding regular meetings encouraging open dialogue among all members.
• Conducts performance evaluations for staff members, identifying areas of improvement and guiding professional development plans.
• Creates and implements and managed project plans, timelines and budgets.
• Sources, vets and manages vendors needed to accomplish project goals.
• Schedules and facilitates meetings between project stakeholders to discuss deliverables, schedules and conflicts.
• Maintains open communication by presenting regular updates on project status to customers.
• Reports regularly to senior leadership on program budget, progress, and technical problems.
• Develops comprehensive risk management plans, minimizing project delays and unexpected challenges.
• Leads change management and process improvement initiatives with a questioning attitude.
• Ensures projects complete on tight deadlines by coordinating team efforts and prioritizing tasks effectively.

Lesli spent two years in management in the AEP/PSO's Energy Control Center. Lesli played a pivotal role in daily operations of the energy control center during the COViD pandemic in 2020. Her key achievements during this period included spearheading a culture improvement initiative which significantly improved Gallup Culture Survey scores. She also created new schedules reducing overtime by 25%, and implemented touchless switching, DDC daily report, Dispatcher scorecards and a PMR process.

• Continuously improved processes through regular review of existing procedures, identifying areas for optimization or enhancement.
• Managed shift schedules effectively to ensure optimal coverage during peak operating hours, maintaining seamless 24/7 operation.
• Assisted in development of robust contingency plans for emergency situations, ensuring preparedness across all aspects of operation.
• Managed relationships with internal and external customers.
• Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
• Developed reporting used in rate cases and franchise agreements.
• Managed budgets effectively, ensuring optimal financial performance while investing in necessary resources for business growth.

Lesli was in project management positions for AEP for 15 years. She held project management roles for cutting edge technology including work management system upgrades (DWMS), advanced metering system implementation (from 500,000 meters to 1.5M meter installations) and upgrades (AMI), and telecom radio and tower project overhaul. These projects covered AEPs footprint and were not specific to one state.

• Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
• Established effective communication among team members for enhanced collaboration and successful project completion.
• Planned, designed, and scheduled phases for large projects.
• Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers, securing quality materials at competitive prices for efficient use of resources.
• Developed comprehensive project plans with clear timelines, milestones, and budget requirements, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results.
• Mentored junior team members in project management best practices to enhance their skills and contribute to better overall performance.
• Managed projects from procurement to commission.
• Improved stakeholder satisfaction with detailed project updates and proactive issue resolution.
• Ensured projects aligned with strategic objectives, working closely with senior management to refine project goals.
• Promoted innovation within project teams, encouraging exploration of new tools and methodologies to enhance project outcomes.
• Reported regularly to managers on project budget, progress, and technical problems.