- Coaching son’s basketball, flag football, and little league
- Watching and supporting daughter with English style horseback riding
- Surfing,
- Basketball,
- Golfing,
- Traveling,
Willie Thomas
Poway,CA
Summary
Accomplished Electric System Hardening Program Manager with a proven track record at SDG&E, adept in strategic planning and project management. Spearheaded over 1,000 projects, demonstrating exceptional problem-solving and program leadership skills. Managed a yearly capital budget up to $150M, emphasizing achievements in wildfire mitigation and infrastructure resilience.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Electric System Hardening Program Manager
SDG&E
01.2020 - Current
- Managed multiple Wildfire Mitigation Programs, including Traditional Hardening, Covered Conductor Hardening, Strategic Pole Replacement Program, and Distribution Communication Reliability Improvement.
- Managed and supervised administrative and daily program operations, complying with policies and regulations.
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring support for program initiatives.
- Developed strategic plans, setting clear objectives and achievable milestones for the team.
- Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within deadlines and budgets.
- Managed yearly capital budget of ~$150M, two direct reports , and approximately 100 FTE contractors.
- Completed 662 projects, including over 420 miles of conductor replacement and 8,000 pole replacements.
- Led process improvements, including implementation of the stage gate process as outlined in 3P initiative and the integration of Procore with SAP and Sharper Shape Core platform for QA/QC.
Fire Risk Mitigation (FiRM) Program Manager
SDG&E
04.2017 - 12.2019
- Managed and supervised administrative and daily program operations, complying with policies and regulations.
- Developed strategic plans, setting clear objectives and achievable milestones for the team.
- Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within deadlines and budgets.
- Managed a yearly capital budget of $90M - $130M, six direct reports, and approximately 200 contractors.
- Managed the scoping, engineering, design, and construction of 290 projects that equated to approximately 280 miles and 5,600 pole replacements.
- Implemented process improvements, including migration of over 500 active projects in P6 and Procore.
Electric Transmission Engineering & Design Manager
SDG&E
03.2013 - 03.2017
- Managed a team of up to 26 direct reports and a capital budget of $40M-$60M.
- Researched design and engineering trends, technology and processes and directed work of internal and external design teams.
- Mentored junior designers and engineers, providing guidance on design principles, techniques, and best practices to enhance their skill set.
- Spearheaded design process to align with GO95 and SDG&E specifications and budget.
- Provided testimony for the transmission portion of the South Orange County Reliability Enhancement Project, provide testimony, and managed numerous data requests.
- Directed and approved numerous standards and specifications, including Direct Buried Pole Loading and LiDAR & Survey specifications.
Team Leader IV, Electric Transmission Engineering
SDG&E
07.2011 - 03.2013
- Managed seven direct reports.
- Managed the Customer and Government relocation process and the “Request to Attach” process.
- Led the OH and UG Transmission portions of the SOCRE Project.
- Set performance expectations for the team, monitoring progress towards goals and providing constructive feedback as needed.
- Empowered team members by delegating responsibilities according to individual strengths and areas of expertise.
- Managed conflict resolution among team members, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
Engineer II, Electric Distribution Engineering
SDG&E
01.2006 - 07.2007
- Established strong working relationships with internal clients through exceptional communication skills, fostering trust and collaboration.
- Wrote, reviewed and edited Electric Standard Practices and Construction Standards, and specifications in accordance with template requirements.
- Developed positive working relationships with stakeholders to effectively coordinate work activities.
- Achieved successful project outcomes by maintaining accurate documentation and meeting strict deadlines.
- Managed manhole and gas switch replacement program (~$7M/yr).
Associate Engineer
SDG&E
06.2004 - 01.2006
- Completed rotations at Electric Distribution Operations, System Protections & Controls Engineering, and Kearny Substation Construction & Maintenance.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA06-2004
Skills
- Problem-solving
- Project management
- Detail-oriented
- Strategic planning
- Project coordination
- Program leadership
- Training and development
Accomplishments
- Technology Transfer Award for Weathering Steel Pole Engineering & Maintenance Practices, EPRI (Feb 2012)
- Move the Needle Award – TL637 W2S (June 2015)
- Move the Needle Award – CNF W2S (Nov 2016)
- Move the Needle Award – SOCRE (Jan 2018)
Affiliations
- IEEE Technical Society since 3/1/2006
- CEATI Transmission Line Asset Management Group and Others (2011-2017)
- Vice Chair of the Substation Design Suite Consortium (2015-2017)
Certification
- Professional Engineer, State of CA (License# E 18077, Exp 6/30/25)
- Engineer in Training (EIT), State of CA, Effective 1/15/2004
Speaking Engagements
- Fiberglass Poles for Distribution – Marcos Evans, Las Vegas (Nov 2010)
- Intelligent Model Design (IMD) – Autodesk University, Las Vegas (Dec 2014)
- BIM for Utilities – DistribuTECH 2017, Autodesk Booth (Feb 2017)
- BIM for Utilities – Power Engineers 2018 Power Delivery Conf (Mar 2018)
- SDG&E Fire Risk Mitigation Program Overview – Edison Electric Institute (Oct 2018)
- SDG&E Fire Risk Mitigation Program Overview – Power Delivery and Design Conference (Feb 2019)
- LiDAR Tech for Wildfire Risk Mitigation – International LiDAR Mapping Forum (Feb 2022)
- Project Management & Utilities Conference – Western Energy Institute (Sept 2022)
- SDG&E Universal Project & Program Management Training (July and Nov 2023)
Interests
Timeline
Electric System Hardening Program Manager
SDG&E
01.2020 - Current
Fire Risk Mitigation (FiRM) Program Manager
SDG&E
04.2017 - 12.2019
Electric Transmission Engineering & Design Manager
SDG&E
03.2013 - 03.2017
Team Leader IV, Electric Transmission Engineering
SDG&E
07.2011 - 03.2013
Engineer II, Electric Distribution Engineering
SDG&E
01.2006 - 07.2007
Associate Engineer
SDG&E
06.2004 - 01.2006
Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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