Ralph Evans
Wellston
Summary
With a proven track record at OGE Horseshoe Lake/Mustang, Redbud and McClain power plants, I excel in worksite safety and critical thinking, leading teams to enhance productivity and maintain high standards. My expertise in plant operations, system and equipment maintenance practices, and SAP uses has significantly contributed to operational efficiency, showcasing my dedication to excellence and attention to detail in keeping with OGE Safety Standards and Core Values.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Plant Operator 2
OGE Redbud Power Plant
06.2025 - Current
- Control Room Operator qualified February 2026
- Served as outside plant operator overseeing all aspects of operating 4 1x1 GE 7FA.04 Gas Turbine and Alstom Steam Turbine combined cycle generating units.
- Partnered with other operations and maintenance personnel to safely and efficiently operate the plant within specified limits as set by plant operating procedures, OGE standard operating practices, and other regulations such as the Title V air permit requirements, EPA regulations, and OGE Safety Regulations
- Started or stopped generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary, and as directed by plant management and SPP dispatch schedules.
- Utilized prior plant mechanic and planner SAP experience to assist in the maintenance and proper operation of plant generating units, auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, fans, compressors, condensers, fuel gas heaters, filters, and water treatment systems, to supply water, fuel, lubricants, air, and auxiliary power for all plant functions.
- Took regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters, and gauges, at established intervals, such as AVR operating standards, CEMS reporting, and water quality standards.
- Regulated equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data and from remote monitoring and local indicating equipment and systems as needed.
- Operated, and directed the operation of generating equipment and systems including boilers, turbines, generators, and all other plant ancillary equipment and systems using the plant DCS Ovation control system, CEMS monitoring system, SCADA equipment, and direct interaction with other OGE personal as needed.
- Prepared and submitted compliance, operational and safety forms and reports, such as ensuring accuracy of plant operating logs, GADs reporting, water treatment reporting, and other compliance requirements.
- Inspected records and log book entries and communicated with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.
- Made adjustments and minor repairs, such as tightening leaking packing glands, replacing defective valves, and making other minor adjustments and repairs to keep the plant operational.
- Diagnosed and troubleshooted problems, and performed repairs to ease the workload on maintenance personnel and improve crew operational efficiency.
- Worked extensively to pass my knowledge of safe operating practices, equipment operation and maintenance philosophy to power plant maintenance and operations personnel new to OGE and Redbud Power Plant.
Foreman of Plant Maintenance
OGE McClain Power Plant
04.2021 - 12.2024
- Led, mentored, and assisted a six member multicraft crew in safe and productive work procedures covering all aspects of learning, troubleshooting, repairing and maintaining a 2x1 GE 7FA.04 Gas Turbine/GE D-11 combined cycle power plant, and all associated systems including fuel gas, hydraulic, water, dcs, control systems, low, medium, and high voltage electrical systems up to 138KV.
- Maintained company equipment and systems in good, reliable working order reinforcing the utilization of all appropriate safety regulations, industry accepted work procedures, utilizing all available resources including prints, equipment manuals, and additional resources available within Power Supply.
- Maintained and encouraged a safe work environment by enforcing and teaching OGE safety regulations, policies, and procedures in accordance with OGE Values and Beliefs.
- Managed and oversaw OGE maintenance crews and contractors to maintain efficient scheduling, time, and cost.
- Assisted the crew planner with processing notifications, work orders, developing scopes of work, and ordering materials and supplies to keep maintenance and repair work on schedule and within budget.
- Inspected finished work for conformance with applicable standards before approving release to plant operations personnel.
- Supervised and coordinated the daily activities of maintenance personnel to ensure work was completed on schedule, was accurate and that all appropriate regulations were followed.
- Regularly reviewed training requirements to ensure all safety training and crew training needs were being met.
- Acted as hiring manager for multiple ICE Tech and Mechanic positions.
- Worked directly with each individual member in the development of goals and priorities, and the needed mentorship to assist in the progression to the next step in each career level.
- Work hand in hand with the operating authority and plant operations personnel to support all needed call out, troubleshooting assistance, and repair activities needed to maintain safe, efficient, and effective operation of the plant.
- Provided monthly, detailed training on SAP uses and functions to maintenance and operations members
Senior Plant Operator
OGE Redbud Power Plant
04.2019 - 04.2021
- Served as control room certified plant operator overseeing all aspects of operating 4 1x1 GE 7FA.04 Gas Turbine and Alstom Steam Turbine combined cycle generating units.
- Partnered with other operations and maintenance personnel to safely and efficiently operate the plant within specified limits as set by plant operating procedures, OGE standard operating practices, and other regulations such as the Title V air permit requirements, EPA regulations, and OGE Safety Regulations
- Started or stopped generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary, and as directed by plant management and SPP dispatch schedules.
- Utilized prior plant mechanic and planner SAP experience to assist in the maintenance and proper operation of plant generating units, auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, fans, compressors, condensers, fuel gas heaters, filters, and water treatment systems, to supply water, fuel, lubricants, air, and auxiliary power for all plant functions.
- Took regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters, and gauges, at established intervals, such as AVR operating standards, CEMS reporting, and water quality standards.
- Regulated equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data and from remote monitoring and local indicating equipment and systems as needed.
- Operated, and directed the operation of generating equipment and systems including boilers, turbines, generators, and all other plant ancillary equipment and systems using the plant DCS Ovation control system, CEMS monitoring system, SCADA equipment, and direct interaction with other OGE personal as needed.
- Prepared and submitted compliance, operational and safety forms and reports, such as ensuring accuracy of plant operating logs, GADs reporting, water treatment reporting, and other compliance requirements.
- Inspected records and log book entries and communicated with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.
- Made adjustments and minor repairs, such as tightening leaking packing glands, replacing defective valves, and making other minor adjustments and repairs to keep the plant operational.
- Diagnosed and troubleshooted problems, and performed repairs to ease the workload on maintenance personnel and improve crew operational efficiency.
- Worked extensively to pass my knowledge of safe operating practices, equipment operation and maintenance philosophy to power plant maintenance and operations personnel new to OGE and Redbud Power Plant.
Crew Planner
OGE McClain Power Plant
10.2017 - 04.2019
- Provided technical support utilizing past experience as plant operator and mechanic in troubleshooting mechanical, electrica, and control issues that arise during regular operation of facility equipment.
- Coordinated with vendors on ordering parts and providing contract services necessary for repair, replacement, or upgrade or replacement of generating facility equipment and systems.
- Analyzed data from past projects to develop strategies for improving future maintenance scheduling processes.
- Utilized computer software, mostly SAP, MS Word, and MS Excell, to track, monitor and schedule maintenance activities and generate various reports and schedules.
- Maintained accurate records of completed maintenance tasks, including labor hours, materials used, and cost tracking.
- Identified opportunities to reduce costs associated with purchasing parts, supplies, and services related to maintaining facility equipment.
- Assisted in managing inventory levels of spare parts used in the maintenance of equipment.
- Worked closely with vendors in order to obtain timely delivery of needed parts or services at appropriate times to maintain plant outage and operation schedules.
- Collaborated with other departments such as T&D functions, Power Supply services, and engineering issues related to plant maintenance, operation, repair and modification activities.
- Perform other duties as directed by the Manage of Plant Maintenance.
- Assist the Foreman of Plant Maintenance and the Plant Operating Authority with the development of daily, weekly, and outage schedules of the maintenance and contract crews.
Crew Planner
OGE Horseshoe Lake Plant
10.2015 - 10.2017
- Provided technical support utilizing past experience as plant operator and mechanic in troubleshooting mechanical, electrica, and control issues that arise during regular operation of facility equipment.
- Coordinated with vendors on ordering parts and providing contract services necessary for repair, replacement, or upgrade or replacement of generating facility equipment and systems.
- Analyzed data from past projects to develop strategies for improving future maintenance scheduling processes.
- Utilized computer software, mostly SAP, MS Word, and MS Excell, to track, monitor and schedule maintenance activities and generate various reports and schedules.
- Maintained accurate records of completed maintenance tasks, including labor hours, materials used, and cost tracking.
- Identified opportunities to reduce costs associated with purchasing parts, supplies, and services related to maintaining facility equipment.
- Assisted in managing inventory levels of spare parts used in the maintenance of equipment.
- Worked closely with vendors in order to obtain timely delivery of needed parts or services at appropriate times to maintain plant outage and operation schedules.
- Collaborated with other departments such as T&D functions, Power Supply services, and engineering issues related to plant maintenance, operation, repair and modification activities.
- Perform other duties as directed by the Manage of Plant Maintenance.
- Assist the Foreman of Plant Maintenance and the Plant Operating Authority with the development of daily, weekly, and outage schedules of the maintenance and contract crews.
Plant Operator Senior
OGE Redbud Power Plant
02.2012 - 10.2015
- Served as control room certified plant operator overseeing all aspects of operating 4 1x1 GE 7FA.04 Gas Turbine and Alstom Steam Turbine combined cycle generating units.
- Partnered with other operations and maintenance personnel to safely and efficiently operate the plant within specified limits as set by plant operating procedures, OGE standard operating practices, and other regulations such as the Title V air permit requirements, EPA regulations, and OGE Safety Regulations
- Started or stopped generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary, and as directed by plant management and SPP dispatch schedules.
- Utilized prior plant mechanic and planner SAP experience to assist in the maintenance and proper operation of plant generating units, auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, fans, compressors, condensers, fuel gas heaters, filters, and water treatment systems, to supply water, fuel, lubricants, air, and auxiliary power for all plant functions.
- Took regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters, and gauges, at established intervals, such as AVR operating standards, CEMS reporting, and water quality standards.
- Regulated equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data and from remote monitoring and local indicating equipment and systems as needed.
- Operated, and directed the operation of generating equipment and systems including boilers, turbines, generators, and all other plant ancillary equipment and systems using the plant DCS Ovation control system, CEMS monitoring system, SCADA equipment, and direct interaction with other OGE personal as needed.
- Prepared and submitted compliance, operational and safety forms and reports, such as ensuring accuracy of plant operating logs, GADs reporting, water treatment reporting, and other compliance requirements.
- Inspected records and log book entries and communicated with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.
- Made adjustments and minor repairs, such as tightening leaking packing glands, replacing defective valves, and making other minor adjustments and repairs to keep the plant operational.
- Diagnosed and troubleshooted problems, and performed repairs to ease the workload on maintenance personnel and improve crew operational efficiency.
- Worked extensively to pass my knowledge of safe operating practices, equipment operation and maintenance philosophy to power plant maintenance and operations personnel new to OGE and Redbud Power Plant.
Plant Mechanic Lead
OGE Redbud/Horseshoe Lake Power Plant
10.1999 - 02.2012
- Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain all aspects of the Horseshoe Lake Legacy Gas Generating units, Tinker AFB P&W FT-4 simple cycle gas turbine generating units and LM-6000 simple cycle generating units including centrifugal pump repairs, seal replacements, valve repair and replacement, air compressor maintenance, leak repairs, welding and pipe fitting activities.
- Served as primary plant liaison during the construction, and following operation and maintenance of Horseshoe Lake units 9 and 10.
- Served as plant mechanic at Redbud Power Plant providing troubleshooting, maintenance and repair of all equipment and systems within the 4 X1 combined cycle power plant, focused primarily on heavy gas turbine maintenance and repair.
Education
Gas Turbine Technician Mechanical -
US Navy
Great Lakes07-1987
Skills
- Worksite safety
- Employee training
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Time management
- Decision-making
- Attention to detail
- Critical thinking
- Job planning
- Project deadlines
- Quality control
Certification
Completed OGE Foundations of Leadership 2023
Timeline
Plant Operator 2
OGE Redbud Power Plant
06.2025 - Current
Foreman of Plant Maintenance
OGE McClain Power Plant
04.2021 - 12.2024
Senior Plant Operator
OGE Redbud Power Plant
04.2019 - 04.2021
Crew Planner
OGE McClain Power Plant
10.2017 - 04.2019
Crew Planner
OGE Horseshoe Lake Plant
10.2015 - 10.2017
Plant Operator Senior
OGE Redbud Power Plant
02.2012 - 10.2015
Plant Mechanic Lead
OGE Redbud/Horseshoe Lake Power Plant
10.1999 - 02.2012
Gas Turbine Technician Mechanical -
US Navy