Contents On the cover: Austin Martinez of Customer Care Services
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Pulling Together
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Corporate Operating Plan
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Great Customer Service is Key
The entire organization will work together to return Fort Calhoun Station to high performance. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Edward Easterlin sets out causes and cautions in the 2012 Corporate Operating Plan.
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Despite recent negative attention, one positive factor has been on the utility’s side through it all – strong customer service. And now, says Vice President Tim Burke, is the time to step it up even more.
8 Jump on the Wellness Bandwagon
Start the year off with a health screening, and encourage your coworkers to do the same. They take place in January and February.
10 Managing Diabetes, Heart Disease
The Disease Management Program offers information and support to help employees reach a higher level of wellness. Changes in 2012 place the focus on diabetes and heart disease.
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Breathing for Becky
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Watt's Up with the Bulb Phaseout?
A lung transplant means new life for Becky Welstead. It also means new hope for her husband, Mike, and daughters, Lacie and Hanna. Inefficient light bulbs are on their way out, but there are alternatives available, and prices are coming down.
19 People
Anniversaries, retirements, deaths, sympathies and club notes.
Vol. 92, No. 1, January/February 2012 Published bimonthly by the Corporate Communications Division, Flash magazine provides OPPD employees and retirees with strategic industry- and job-related news, and human-interest articles about associates and their families. Flash is one of several tools that comprise our communication strategy. Employees and retirees can access timely OPPD news weekdays via OPPD News online. Flash Editor ............................... Paula Lukowski Creative Director..........................Joe Comstock To contact the Flash editor: phone.............. 402-636-3759 email .............. plukowski@oppd.com address ............ OPPD, Flash, 3E/EP1 444 S. 16th St. Omaha, NE 68102-2247
Senior Management
Contributing Staff DJ Clarke Django Greenblatt-Seay Sharon Jefferson Lisa Olson Laurie Zagurski
Chris Cobbs Jeff Hanson Mike Jones Althea Pietsch Terry Zank
Reporters Randy Alsman Tim Ash Kim Barnes Sara Biodrowski Karma Boone Joanne Brown Cec Christensen Jeannie Corey Sharon Dickman Neal Faltys Rebecca Finn Kelly Fleming Anne Forslund Natalie Ging Nancy Goddard Barbara Gullie Jill Hanover
Margine Henry Ed Howell Traci Hug Sharon Jefferson Debbie Jensen Terri Kelly Shelley Kendrick Melinda Kenton Suzanne Krajicek Becky Kruger Sharon Melody Doug Mickells Jamie Moore Shawn Moore Shelly Mruz Beth Nagel Karen Nelson
Rick Perrigo Trudy Prather Pam Price Lana Pulverenti Heather Rawlings Kathy Royal Terri Salado Peter Schiltz Jim Shipman Jammie Snyder Jennifer St. Clair Kathy Stolinski Clint Sweet Vince Timmerman Dennis Vanek Dawn Varner
W. Gary Gates ........................................President Dave Bannister ................................Vice President Timothy J. Burke ..............................Vice President Mohamad Doghman .......................Vice President Edward Easterlin ..............................Vice President Jon Hansen ......................................Vice President Sherrye Hutcherson .........................Vice President
Board of Directors John K. Green ....................Chairman of the Board N.P. Dodge Jr............. Vice Chairman of the Board John R. Thompson. ................................. Treasurer Michael J. Cavanaugh .............................Secretary Anne L. McGuire ...........................Board Member Lloyd Scheve .................................Board Member Fred J. Ulrich..................................Board Member Del D. Weber .................................Board Member
Company Pulling Together to Help Fort Calhoun Station Return to High Performance The Nuclear Regulatory Commission formally notified OPPD on Dec. 13 that it is moving Fort Calhoun Station out of Column 4 and into a special category of the NRC’s inspection manual called Manual Chapter 0350. Chapter 0350 is for nuclear plants that are in extended shutdowns with performance issues. The process gives the NRC the flexibility to address multiple issues and provides more structure around plant-restart. As part of this process, the NRC will convene a restart board for FCS and develop a plant-restart checklist, based on the FCS integrated recovery plan, which is designed to ensure safe operation. “Resolving these issues will require strong teamwork and alignment at FCS, and the support of the entire organization, similar in intensity to OPPD’s flood-response efforts this year,” noted President Gary Gates. On Dec. 14, Gary announced how each business unit will offer support to Fort Calhoun while OPPD works through this situation: • To assist with communications at FCS, Vice President Tim Burke has assigned a team from Corporate Communications to relocate to the plant and have a dotted line reporting responsibility to Vice President Dave Bannister. • Vice President Jon Hansen will support the leadership team at the plant to help address culture concerns. He will spend at least one day a week at the site. • Vice President Mo Doghman will be OPPD’s point of contact with INPO (Institute of Nuclear Power Operations) for its corporate evaluation of FCS. Mo will spend time at the plant regularly. • Vice President Sherrye Hutcherson will create a new manager of Nuclear Materials position and add a new supervisor position, both of whom will be based at FCS. • Vice President Edward Easterlin will name a manager of Nuclear Business Planning & Analysis, who will be based at FCS and will plan, direct, develop and manage the nuclear business unit budget and financial plans. • All of these changes will be headcount-neutral for the company. Background OPPD has been working with the NRC on several performance issues noted at the plant. Due to these issues, the NRC previously issued several regulatory findings and placed FCS in Column 4 of its reactor oversight process, indicating the need for additional NRC oversight. In addition, due to last year’s flooding, the NRC did not complete its mandatory baseline inspections of FCS, another reason the NRC cited for moving the plant to Chapter 0350. FCS has been shut down for a scheduled refueling outage since April 9, 2011. OPPD will not restart the plant until it is deemed safe to do so. FCS will be required to complete corrective actions and process improvements prior to restart. Current estimates put the plant-restart at some time in the second quarter of 2012, but this will be subject to NRC approval. “OPPD remains committed to doing whatever is necessary to ensure that FCS returns to high-performing status efficiently with safety, as always, our first priority,” Gary emphasized.
Fort Calhoun Station has produced 35.4 percent of OPPD’s total generation since September 1973. Resolving issues at the nuclear plant will require teamwork and support from the entire organizaion.
By Terry Zank January/February 2012 Flash
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2012 Corporate Operating Plan
Power Adjustment last summer and it will only need to tap $17 million from the Debt Retirement Account in 2011, instead of the $31 million it might have pulled. But the budget for 2012 reflects the damage done in 2011 by the Missouri River, an environmental regulatory change, and increasing health care costs. Those are the three major items pushing OPPD to increase its rates for 2012. On January 1, 2012, an average rate increase of 4.5 percent went into effect along with an increase in the Fuel and Purchase Power Adjustment of 1.4 percent. To the average residential customer, this will translate to an increase of $5.30 per month. A Flood of Expenses OPPD spent more than $74 million in response to the Missouri The water may have gone down, but the bills have River flooding this summer. Of that amount, to be paid, and there are figurative storm clouds $43 million was spent to protect its plants, substations and other property. It is a lot of money, but on the horizon. This “financial weather report” means the need for a rate increase, never a popular well spent considering it went to protect nearly $3 billion in assets. Some of those expenses will be choice for OPPD or its customers. Vice President recovered from the federal government’s emerand Chief Financial Officer Edward Easterlin sets gency funds. Some will come from insurance. But, out causes and cautions in the 2012 Corporate a lot will not. Add to that, the money used to pay for power Operating Plan. that Fort Calhoun Station could not generate because of its flood-induced shutdown extension, It would be narrow-sighted to focus on the which totals about $32 million. negatives; the environmental challenge, the The good news that did not receive much attencost of repaying flood expenses, rising health care, and more. There is good news in the OPPD tion from outside the company was the hard work budget and Corporate Operating Plan for 2012; it took to keep Nebraska City Station and North it just doesn’t jump out at you. For instance, more customers and a slight increase in overall usage per customer means the operating plan anticipates a 2.8 percent increase in retail energy sales in 2012 over the projected number for 2011. That is a greater increase than experienced in the recent past, according the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Edward Easterlin. The hot summer in 2011 meant customers were using more energy than budgeted, resulting in more revenue. Because of that, OPPD didn’t have to increase the Fuel and Purchased
Outside Influences Affect Budget Missouri River flood costs are having an impact on OPPD’s budget.
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Omaha Station online and operating well. Their availability was crucial as OPPD met record demands for electricity from customers during the hot summer. To pay the bills that OPPD incurred during the flood fight, the district pulled $32 million from the Rate Stabilization Fund, depleting it. Without it and the Debt Retirement Account, OPPD probably would have had to increase the Fuel and Purchased Power Adjustment (FPPA) in mid-year, according to Edward. “We are using both funds,” said Edward. “Now we must prepare financially for the next unexpected event.” That means replacing about a third of the Rate Stabilization Fund in 2012 with plans to spread the rest of the payback over 2013 and 2014. For 2012, about $30 million of the Debt Retirement Account will be used to defer the need to raise rates even higher. A new rule from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also is hitting the budget in 2012. When it came out on July 1, 2011, the Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) called for drastic cuts in emissions and gave OPPD only six months to make them effective. Complying with this rule will require paying more for an ultra-low sulfur coal, limiting our sales to other utilities in order to limit emissions, and may require new capital investment. “This means our expenses will go up,” said Edward. “With fewer off-system sales, we will be selling less electricity than usual for less of a return than before.” That double hit on the budget comes with the EPA planning other regulations that will raise OPPD’s costs of producing electricity. That kind of uncertainty makes planning difficult. Unhealthy Increases The rising cost of medical care has given sticker shock, both to employees and to OPPD, which contributes 80 percent of the insurance cost. This part of the budget also is getting a double dose of economic illness. Costs are going up at a rate far above the inflation rate. “We are not any different than anyone else,” said Edward. “Companies and families looking at health care bills are finding them very expensive.” Additionally, the bad economy
means that the funds OPPD sets aside to pay these costs are not earning as favorable a rate of return as they did in the past. In fact, Interest Income that OPPD receives is forecast to drop by about $2.1 million from 2011’s projections. “We used to assume a three percent rate of return,” said Edward. Now, the rate of return is considerably less than that, meaning less interest income coming in. Sadly, inflationary pressures also are raising costs at OPPD. Edward notes that OPPD is seeing price increases in many of the items it buys. Spending on capital projects will drop in 2012 by $30 million compared to 2011 projections. The most significant project contributing to the decrease is the postponement of the Fort Calhoun
By the numbers 2012 Projection
Income Operating Revenues $1,082,785 Expenses Operations and Maintenance (O&M) $798,207 Depreciation $127,746 Payments in Lieu of Taxes $30,249 Total Operating Expenses $956,202 Generation Total Net Generation 15,444,500 MWH Ratios Debt-to-Equity 50.0% Senior Debt – Debt Service Coverage 2.46 All Debt – Fixed Charge 1.81
Increase from 2011 Projection
1.4% -0.2% 2.7% 6.7% 0.4% 9.3%
Station Extended Power Uprate and related Fort Calhoun Station upgrades. The Bottom Line The bottom line for all OPPD employees is that the budget is being greatly stressed by outside influences and increasing internal costs. Raising rates on customers already strapped by a lethargic economy is a difficult decision, especially as it will decrease the “public power advantage” OPPD has over regional rates. “Everyone will need to look into their budgets and ask, ‘Do we really need this?’ ” said Edward. “If we don’t, we shouldn’t be spending it.” By Jeff Hanson January/February 2012 Flash
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Flooding. Rate increase. Heightened regulatory oversight at Fort Calhoun Station. OPPD has remained in the headlines and in social media conversations since June. Despite the negative attention, one positive factor has been on the utility’s side through it all – strong customer service. And now, says Vice President Tim Burke, is the time to step it up even more.
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Customer Service is Key It’s been quite a year for OPPD, and anyone who works at the utility knows that 2011 brought obstacles and challenges that will carry over into coming years. “The great majority of our employees really understand the importance of customer service, and that fared well for us in recent months as we publicly managed several big issues,” said Tim Burke, Vice President of Customer Service & Public Affairs. “Because employees have taken time to build good relationships with customers and have taken time to work through service issues with customers, they have a high level of trust in OPPD. “We are at a point, though, where we have to focus on exceptional customer delivery to further build and maintain that trust,” said Tim. “We are dealing with issues, such as regulatory challenges, rate increases and post-flood work
that are keeping us in the spotlight.” Interactions strengthen or weaken the customer service margin, so it’s important to keep interactions positive, according to Tim. “When we have a positive customer service margin, people have confidence in us, they rely on us and know we are going to do the right thing. That benefits us during challenging periods, like the one we are in the midst of at this time,” said Tim. OPPD learned that in 1997, when a surprise October storm dumped up to 13 inches of heavy, wet snow in southeast Nebraska. The sticky snow caused countless tree limbs to crash down on primary lines, secondary lines and service drops throughout the service area. It was an 11-day restoration effort, and an event that was a critical cornerstone for OPPD regarding customer service. “We became a different company, all
around, after that,” Tim said. “We ramped up our expectations regarding customer service, and we began communicating more openly and directly with customers.” This past summer, OPPD was right there beside some of its largest customers – Cargill, the Omaha Airport Authority and ConAgra – who also were impacted by the Missouri River flooding. “OPPD had the importance, from the customer’s perspective, to be at the table with them,” said Tim. “It wasn’t just our account executives, but others also pitched in, too. This high level of service is what differentiates us from other government agencies and other utilities. We put ourselves out there to be proactive and helpful to our customers.” Tim credits many areas for the proactive relationship-building that has been done over a number of years. “This doesn’t just happen, it takes time and
“When we have a positive customer service margin, people have confidence in us, they rely on us and know we are going to do the right thing. That benefits us during challenging periods, like the one we are in the midst of at this time.” – Tim Burke Vice President
Tim Burke
effort,” he said. And the image of OPPD goes even beyond customer service. “When people know you work for OPPD, or they see you at a public place with clothing that has an OPPD logo, they expect more from you,” said Tim. “We have built the ‘energy partner’ brand, and we need to live up to it.” By Paula Lukowski
Training Enhances Customer Service More th M than 130 employees l iin C Customer t SService i O Operations ti andd C Customer t SSales l & SServices i completed customer-centric focused training in 2011, adopting the Integrity Solutions principles for customer service. Based in Scottsdale, Ariz., Integrity Solutions is a 40-year-old performance-improvement organization, with extensive experience in utility customer service and sales training. “This approach focuses not only on knowledge and skills, but also addresses attitudes, beliefs and values,” said Juli Comstock, division manager of Customer Service Operations. “We see this offering as a strategy to enhance customer service for both internal and external customers, while developing skills and confidence amongst our employees.” Angie Garfield, Denise Eucker, Diana Garges, Diane O’Hara and Patrice Wolf were certified to deliver the training to employees. Angie serves as Integrity Solutions project lead. Following the classroom instruction, employees continued their training through regular teamwork sessions, individual coaching and refreshers. The employees learned the Integrity Service process during a highly interactive one-day classroom seminar and six follow-up sessions led by facilitators. The process is designed to help employees develop their personal commitment to customer-focused behaviors by improving teamwork and service delivery for internal and external customers. The Integrity Selling process was rolled out to employees who offer products and services to our external customers. This process aims to remove the barriers to productivity and sales, while helping employees dialogue with the customers to understand their wants and needs so they may communicate the value of the products and services OPPD has to offer them.
CSO employees Diana Garges, Patrice Wolf, Denise Eucker and project manager Angie Garfield were certified by Integrity Solutions to deliver the training. So is Diane O’Hara, not pictured.
January/February 2012 Flash
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Taking Care of Bu In an effort to increase efficiency and customer satisfaction, the OPPD call center now gives customers the option of pressing 1 for residential or 2 for business when calling OPPD. OPPD serves more than 346,000 customers and is constantly striving to provide them with exceptional customer service. While serving that many people with a limited number of customer care representatives can be challenging, OPPD’s customer care center has consistently risen to that challenge to provide high-quality customer service. The recent addition of OPPD’s new Business Solutions Center heightens that level of personalized service for OPPD’s business customers. This year, Customer Service Operations implemented the new Business Solutions Center, a call center dedicated specifically to business customers, which has gotten great reviews from customers and employees alike. “Launching a Business Solutions Center has been a recurring topic for many years,” said Jennifer Johnston, manager of Customer Care Services in Customer Service Operations. “Recently, J.D. Power and Associates conducted a study with findings that suggested customer satisfaction could be increased with a call center specifically for business customers. That’s when we decided to implement the program.” The Business Solutions Center was rolled out in January 2011. The center is made up of specific customer care representatives who field the majority of business calls. Shortly after the Business Solutions Center was implemented, OPPD’s business customers received a letter introducing these OPPD representatives. “We wanted our business customers to be able to put a face with the voice on the other end of the line,” said Jennifer. This personalized service approach has not gone unnoticed. “I think customers feel a
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sense of security in having specific representatives to talk to,” said Deb Mitchell, customer care representative. “They seem to appreciate the familiarity of working with a specific person. It’s nice for us, too, because we get to know them and, as a result, have a better understanding of their needs.”
While research on the call center’s effect on customer satisfaction has not yet been completed, employees are optimistic about the potential results. The new center has resulted in customers experiencing shorter wait times and higher rates of problem-resolution the first time they call. “All these factors should result in higher customer satisfaction. That is what we’re hoping to see,” said Nitin Gambhir, customer care specialist. These call center representatives do not just serve external customers, though. “As a business call center representative, I also serve internal customers,” said Deb. “Account executives, who handle these large business
siness Customers
Customer Care Services receives about 56,000 calls each month. About 2,000 of those calls are from business customers. Deanna Huff talks with customers.
customers, can direct them to us, and we can provide them with billing information, account information and much more.” The Business Solutions Center provides assistance on a variety of issues, including setting up new accounts, transferring locations, comparing rate options and more. The cen-
ter’s representatives helped develop a list of frequently asked questions, checklists and instructions for future employees who may handle these business calls. “Business customers are often dealing with many challenges and have unique needs that need to be met,” said Deb. “They’re often rushed or multi-tasking and appreciate the respect of their time. “Some are also facing challenges that come along with setting up a new business. These startup businesses can often be a financial burden for our customers, and we want to be there to help them with that challenge,” she added. Business Solutions Center representatives serve as partners and educators to these customers, helping them understand different utility options and products and services available to them. “We are building partnerships with our business customers,” said Deb. “And they are all relationships we want to continue long-term.”
The Business Solutions Center is dedicated to business customers and is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Representatives provide assistance on a variety of items including: • Setting up a new account • Transferring locations • Updating account information • Providing bill payment options • Assisting with metering questions • Answering rate-related questions To contact the Business Solutions Center, call 402-536-4131 or toll free at 877-536-4131. The automated system will prompt you to choose the business customer option.
By Althea Pietsch
January/February Ja anu uar a y//Fe F bruary 22012 0112 Fl 012 Flash las ashh
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Jump on the Wellness Bandwagon Start the year off with a health screening, and encourage your co-workers to do the same. They take place in January and February. Plus, it’s free this year, and you get a $50 Visa gift card when you complete a screening. Phyllis had a sneaking suspicion that the health screenings were coming up.
Receive a $50 Visa Gift Card
®
Make wellness a priority, and join the more than 1,000 employees who have participated in the SimplyWell health screenings and online management program the past two years. “When you get a screening through SimplyWell, you don’t just get a blood draw, a blood pressure check and a printout,” said Angela Siebert, wellness specialist in Human Resources. “Based on your personal results, SimplyWell provides good advice and practical steps you can take to improve your health. That’s one of the greatest things about this program.” The program is being offered this year to active employees only. Plus, employees who take part year after year can compare progress of their health profiles and stay on top of any potential health issues. And, the preventive measures will pay off in the long-run by lowering health-care costs of OPPD’s self-funded medical plans.
Life-Saving and Life-Altering Past health screenings already have paid off for several employees. Among them is Scott Schaefer of Central Maintenance, who was forewarned of prostate trouble after the 2010 screening. He since had surgery and changed his lifestyle to greatly improve his health. An Omaha-based health solutions organization, SimplyWell was founded by doctors at The Nebraska Medical Center, and provides clinically based medical advice.
SimplyWell Website
Employees who get a screening not only get their results online, they gain access to the SimplyWell website. This robust site includes: My Information: A place to store your medical history, lab and test results, etc. My Action Plan: Suggestions for pursuing a healthier lifestyle. 8 Flash January/February 2012
Healthy Living Education: Info on topics such as blood pressure, cholesterol and stress. Health Guides & Tools: Details on common health issues for children, women and men. News & Online Resources: Links to current health-related articles and websites. Chart My Screening History: Charts that show your potential health risks.
Employees Get Visa Gift Card Employees who sign up for a health screening will again receive basic blood work (lipid panel and cholesterol testing), and will have their height, weight and blood pressure collected. Additional blood tests, such as PSA (prostate), Hemoglobin A1c (diabetes), TSH (thyroid), CRP (inflammation) and Vitamin D (new this year) also will be available. Employees pay nothing for the tests, because starting in 2012, preventive care is covered 100 percent due to of health care reform. All tests will be submitted to insurance. And, those who complete an online Health Risk Assessment (HRA) prior to their screening and who complete the screening will receive a $50 Visa® gift card. Because SimplyWell provides the gift cards, they are not considered taxable income.
Signing Up for a Screening Employees can go to the Wellness Counts button on the intranet homepage and find a link to simplywell.com to choose a screening date and access the online HRA, which must be completed before the screening. • If it is your first visit to the site, type in OPPD (all uppercase) for user type, followed by your employee number. • If you’ve done a screening before, you already have a SimplyWell user ID and password. If you’ve forgotten them, follow the online prompts or call 1-877-991-9355. • If you can’t attend one of the onsite screenings, your screening can be done offsite at Bergan Mercy or Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha by Feb. 29.
Fasting Required for Testing Tests will be administered via a blood draw from your arm. • To ensure accurate results, you must fast 12 hours prior to testing. Only water should be consumed. • Refrain from fatty foods and alcoholic beverages 2-3 days prior testing. • Continue to take all prescribed medication during the fasting time period. Three days after your screening, test results and a personalized action plan will be available at simplywell.com.
For more details, visit the Wellness intranet site, or call OPPD’s Dave Williams, 402-636-3374, or Angela Siebert, 402-636-3058. As in past years, all medical information collected is subject to HIPAA privacy laws and will be kept confidential. OPPD will see only overall group results, which will be used to help provide relevant wellness programming to employees.
Date January 17 January 19 January 24 January 26 January 31 February 2 February 7 February 8 February 9 February 14 February 16 February 21 February 23 February 28
Time 6:30-9 a.m. 6:30-9 a.m. 7:30-9:30 a.m. 6:30-9:30 a.m. 6:30-9:30 a.m. 6:30-9:30 a.m. 7:30-9:30 a.m. 7-10 a.m. 7:30-9:30 a.m. 6:30-8:30 a.m. 6:30-8 a.m. 6:30-9 a.m. 6:30-8:30 a.m. 7-9 a.m.
Location
Wellness Rep
(all numbers area code 402) North Omaha Emery Horton, 636-2690/Tracey Roberts, 636-2734 Nebraska City Patty Coates, 514-8143/David Hume, 636-8143 Papillion Center Mark Madler, 657-1157 Energy Plaza Melissa Hansen, 636-3339/Terri Kelly, 636-2306 Fort Calhoun Terri Herman, 533-6604/Carla Vice, 533-7469 Elkhorn Center April McClemons, 552-4961/Deb McDonnell, 514-1617 Syracuse Center Chris Ryan, 557-1486 (pager) Energy Plaza Melissa Hansen, 636-3339/Terri Kelly, 636-2306 Omaha Center Jeremy Bryant, 552-5252 Energy Control Center Jackie Jensen, 552-5629 Nebraska City Patty Coates, 514-8143/David Hume, 636-8143 Fort Calhoun Terri Herman, 533-6604/Carla Vice, 533-7469 North Omaha Emery Horton, 636-2690/Tracey Roberts, 636-2734 Elkhorn Center April McClemons, 552-4961/Deb McDonnell, 514-1617 January/February 2012 Flash
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Heart Disease Number of noninstitutionalized adults with diagnosed heart disease: 27.1 million Percent of noninstitutionalized adults with diagnosed heart disease: 11.8% Number of visits (to physician offices, hospital outpatient and emergency departments) with heart disease, excluding ischemic, as primary diagnosis: 16.7 million Number of discharges with heart disease as first-listed diagnosis: 4 million Average length of stay: 4.4 days Number of deaths: 616,067 Deaths per 100,000 population: 204.3 Cause of death rank: 1 Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2010 survey
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BluePartners
The Disease Management Program offers information and support to help employees reach a higher level of wellness. Changes in 2012 place the focus on diabetes and heart disease.
O
ne of the healthcare benefits available to a group of OPPD employees and retirees is the BluePartners program, designed to help individuals live a healthy life while dealing with a chronic illness. BluePartners, administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield, serves as a form of outreach between an individual and their doctor. It’s done by phone and all the information is private. Several modifications in the program have been made for 2012, said Vicki Lee, benefits specialist in Human Resources. The focus will be on those with diabetes or heart disease. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will no longer be part of BluePartners. Current enrollment numbers show 508 employees and retirees with diabetes participate in the plan, and 276 with cardiac/heart disease participate. By helping an individual better manage a chronic illness, BluePartners can help OPPD manage the rising cost of healthcare. “An example would be assisting a diabetic individual before the condition reaches high-cost levels,” Vicki said. “It can be hard to get an exact return on investment, but the goal is keep patients healthier, while also managing costs.” The program guarantees an individual’s privacy, and Human Resources personnel do not know the names of participants. “We do know how many people Blue Cross Blue Shield has contacted and how many respond,” she added. Participation in the program includes these benefits: • Better understanding of diagnosed condition(s) • Review of medications and treatments • Set goals and develop action plans • Understanding of doctor’s recommendations • Answers to questions
Total Prevalence of Diabetes Total: 25.8 million children and adults in the United States – 8.3% of the population – have diabetes. Diagnosed: 18.8 million people Undiagnosed: 7 million people Prediabetes: 79 million people* New Cases: 1.9 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in people aged 20 years and older in 2010. * The 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet uses both fasting glucose and A1C levels to derive estimates for undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes. These tests were chosen because they are most frequently used in clinical practice.
Under 20 years of age • 215,000, or 0.26% of all people in this age group have diabetes • About 1 in every 400 children and adolescents has diabetes
While studies show the cost-containment program is effective, BluePartners does not attract a Age 20 years or older high level of participation • 25.6 million, or 11.3% of all among active employees people in this age group have (251 of current enrollees are diabetes employees, 533 are retirAge 65 years or older ees.) That’s partly because • 10.9 million, or 26.9% of all employees often receive a people in this age group have voicemail during the day diabetes and don’t really “get” what the message is about when Men they play it back, Vicki said. • 13 million, or 11.8% of all If you receive a phone call men aged 20 years or older from BluePartners, please have diabetes call them back, said Vicki. Women The majority of partici• 12.6 million, or 10.8% of pants are retirees, who tend all women aged 20 years or to be home during the day when there’s a call from BluePartners. older have diabetes The program is not meant to replace a person’s relationship with a doctor. Instead, it provides another set of eyes and ears for a doctor. In a typical phone call, a nurse from BluePartners might Source: American Diabetes Association call a diabetic to be certain the patient is checking their blood level each week and to inquire about the most recent numbers. A nurse might also ask if the individual is exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet and getting enough sleep. Further, a patient is urged to eat breakfast everyday and to see their doctor for regular checkups. “We want to make sure people understand this is a legitimate program,” Vicki said. “It can help catch things before the condition becomes more serious.” By Chris Cobbs January/February 2012 Flash 11
Breathing for Becky Mike, Hanna and Lacie Welstead have been a rock for Becky, who is ďŹ ghting hard to return home.
A lung transplant means new life for Becky Welstead. It also means new hope for her husband, Mike, and daughters, Lacie and Hanna, who are in the midst of a nearly 6-month separation while Mom recuperates in Minnesota.
A
t 37, Becky Welstead is gradually learning to breathe again. Until this fall, it had been more than a decade since she was able to inhale deeply because of fluid in her lungs. Her condition resulted from a lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis that literally left her gasping for oxygen. Just taking a shower made her so tired and short-winded, she had to lie down for two hours. Becky, mother of two girls, took a dramatic turn for the worse in September. Her husband, Mike, a machinist at Nebraska City Station, feared she would die and despaired of how he would raise daughters Lacie, 12, and Hanna, 7. After nearly a month of intensive treatment in Omaha, Becky was transported by air ambulance Oct. 4 to await a lung transplant at the
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University of Minnesota Medical Center. Tests showed her heart and liver were sound and doctors placed her on the list for a transplant. After seven days, a healthy set of lungs was harvested from an unidentified deceased donor. On Oct. 20, Becky underwent a sixhour procedure which required support from a mechanical heart and lungs as doctors made an 18-inch incision to replace her lungs. She survived and is making steady progress, aided by drugs that prevent her body from rejecting her new lungs. Every two weeks, doctors perform a lung biopsy to make sure her lungs are healthy. Through it all, there hasn’t been a day when she hasn’t received a visit from one or more family member from Nebraska. Best of all, she talks daily by iPhone with Mike and the girls.
Away for the Holidays The Christmas holidays were expected to bring profound joy as her husband and girls decorated a tree and shared gifts with Becky. Their joy was tempered by the prospect of another two months’ separation from Becky before she can return home to Plattsmouth, where the family lives and her daughters attend school.
“I am so blessed to work for OPPD. The support and understanding have been second to none.” - Mike Welstead Nebraska City Station machinist Along with her medical progress, the outpouring of support for Becky has been uplifting for Mike and family members. “I am so blessed to work for OPPD,” Mike said. “The
support and understanding have been second to none.” Colleagues helped organize an October fundraiser which netted about $28,000 to help with medical bills well into the six-figure range.
Big Support OPPD managers are strongly supportive of the Welstead family. “It’s very satisfying to see all the outpouring of support from Nebraska City and elsewhere,” said Greg Krieser, division manager of Production Operations. “The fundraiser at Plattsmouth was like an extended family get-together. There was small-town support, along with big support from OPPD.” Jon Hansen, vice president, Energy Production & Marketing, was equally moved by the show of support. “This shows the care and concern of our people,” he said. “I think you would find this level of care and support across the company.” Together with the emotional and financial
Family, friends and co-workers at one of the fundraisers for Becky.
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Above, Hanna and Lacie pamper their mom. Lower right, Becky Welstead has been undergoing extensive rehabilitation at the University of Minnesota Medical Center.
support, there are other promising signs. Still very weak, Becky has been able to gain about 10 pounds – up from a low of 105 before the surgery – and needs to add another 20 pounds to her 5-foot-7 frame. Just as she had to learn to breathe again, she has also had to learn to eat again. “Before the operation, she could use only
about 30 percent of her lung capacity,” - Mike Welstead Nebraska City Station machinist “Before the operation, she could use only about 30 percent of her lung capacity,” Mike said. “When she got the healthy new lungs, she had a hard time eating and drinking because she couldn’t stop breathing while trying to chew and swallow her food.”
Very Determined But Becky is one very determined woman. As part of her nutrition program, she at first had to feed herself with a spoon and fork with handles wrapped in spongy material she could grip. As she has learned to coordinate breathing and eating, she has developed a healthy appetite for pudding and cottage cheese. Her new favorite, however, is a chicken bacon ranch sandwich from Subway, which family members bring her everyday. 14 Flash January/February 2012
Slowly building strength, Becky has been able to make a couple of brief shopping outings. Accompanied by family, she has visited Wal-Mart to browse the aisles. She always wears a mask to reduce the chance of inhaling germs, and always carries hand-sanitizer. Every two weeks, Mike makes the six-hour drive from Omaha to visit Becky. It’s been a grueling time for Mike, 38, who has been with OPPD for four years. Friend and supervisor Kevin Carpenter said it was difficult watching Mike deal with all of his worries.
As Becky’s condition has improved, so has Mike’s outlook. He has been especially encouraged by the adaptability and strength of Lacie and Hanna. “At first, they were crying themselves to sleep at night,” he said. “It was horrible. But the girls are a lot better now. They have seen their mother in the hospital and in her room in Minnesota. They believe she is going to get well.”
not make it.” Mike has spent 19 years – half his life – with Becky and looks forward to many more years together. He was introduced to her through a cousin at Plattsmouth High School. Becky was then a student at Conestoga High School in Murray. Their first date was in May 1992, and they were married in 1996.
Helpful Kids Mike has been amazed at the transformation in Lacie, who attends Plattsmouth Middle School. “Lacie has basically turned herself into her mother,” Mike said. “She has matured so much and does so much to help her little sister. She brushes Hanna’s hair and makes her cereal for breakfast. Hanna has chores, too, like helping me fill the dishwasher and putting the A Welstead family portrait. From the left, Lacie, Becky, Hanna and Mike.
“It’s very satisfying to see all the outpouring of support from Nebraska City and elsewhere. The fundraiser at Plattsmouth was like an extended family get-together. There was small-town support, along with big support from OPPD.” - Greg Krieser Division Manager, Production Operations clean dishes away. The girls also put their dirty clothes in the laundry and help with cleaning the house.” If the girls have been deeply affected by the experience of their mother’s fight for life, so, too, has Mike. Although he has never been a church-goer, he said he has become a big believer in the power of prayer. “I pray a lot on my own, and I pray with the girls,” he said. “I used to lay in bed with my head spinning, there was so much going on. I’d wonder, “What if she doesn’t make it?”” But, you know, I really never did believe she would
Promising Prognosis Becky’s battle with cystic fibrosis was a concern, but the couple were heartened to learn they could have children without the risk of their offspring having the disease. The gene for cystic fibrosis must be present in both parents, and tests showed Mike didn’t have the gene for the disease, which causes lung damage and nutritional deficiencies. “We knew it was safe to have kids, but the doctors said it was unlikely she could get pregnant,” Mike said. “The doctors were wrong.” Becky’s prognosis looks promising, and Mike tries not to fret about the costs of Becky’s health care. The support of OPPD workers and others has helped defray the costs of family members’ visits to Minnesota. Once Becky is released by doctors to come home, there will be ongoing medical costs, such as $250 a month in prescription drugs. After all that has happened, Mike, Lacie and Hanna are eager for the anticipated return of Becky in February. “The girls are ready for their mom to come home,” Mike said. “Me, too. I’m just really tired of eating my own cooking.” By Chris Cobbs
You Can Help Individuals interested in making a financial contribution may do so in several ways: • Via PayPal at http:www.breathing4becky. com/home-page.html • Breathing for Becky Cass County Bank 2020 8th Ave. Plattsmouth, NE 68048 • Breathing for Becky, c/o Jeff and Lynn DeLine Pinnacle Bank 7001 S. 27th St. Lincoln, NE 68529-0769 • “Breathing for Becky” at local Pinnacle Bank branch offices.
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Watt’s up with the Bulb Phaseout?
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Manufacturers can no longer make standard 100-watt incandescent lightbulbs. This is the first step in a three-year phaseout of the energyinefficient bulbs, but there are alternatives available. New Year’s shopping list: • Five pounds of deli meat • Two pounds of cheese • Four boxes of crackers • Six bags of chips • Three bottles of wine • 50 four-packs of 100-watt lightbulbs Okay, so the lightbulbs probably didn’t make your list, but some people did stock up on 100W bulbs in advance of the phaseout. You may still find some standard 100W incandescents until retailers sell out of them, but manufacturers are not allowed to produce them starting Jan. 1. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 includes a gradual phase-out of standard incandescents, as follows. • Jan. 1, 2012: 100W • Jan. 1, 2013: 75W • Jan. 1, 2014: 60W & 40W The 2007 federal law requires manufacturers to meet gradually increasing standards for the efficacy – lumens per watt – of incandescent bulbs, noted Dave Tallon, senior field engineer in Customer Sales & Service. Lumens are the amount of light visible produced by a lighting source. In mid-December, Congress passed a spending bill that
doesn't actually amend the 2007 law, but it does prohibit the administration from spending any more money to carry out the light bulb standards, which amounts to at least a temporary reprieve. Nonetheless, greater efficiencies in lighting are becoming more mainstream with costs on new technology coming down rapidly. “Moving away from standard incandescent makes sense in the vast majority of applications and remain good for the environment and also the pocketbook for the consumer,” Dave said. “About 85 to 90 percent of the energy conContinued
Bright Idea The Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored a competition for manufacturers to develop a viable LED product that could replace the traditional, general purpose 60-watt A19-style lightbulb. The competition guidelines asked that the product use less than 10 watts of input power and produce a light output of 900 lumens. The DOE’s $1,000,000 “L Prize” winner was the Philip’s Endura LED. This LED is instant on, fully dimmable and has a rated life of 25,000 hours. Still costly, a version of this awardwinning product is available to residential consumers at just over $35 per bulb. Dave Tallon, senior field engineer, is a resident lighting expert.
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This watt meter measures the power consumed by lightbulbs.
CFLs
sumed by a traditional incandescent is given off as heat,” Dave explained. “The bulb design has not changed dramatically since Edison perfected it for the mass market in 1879.” Dave said manufacturers have begun producing general-purpose high-efficiency incandescent (HEI) bulbs that meet the new efficacy standards. As was the case with compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs), it will take a few years for the price of HEIs to come down as they catch on with consumers and are produced in larger quantities. Meanwhile, there’s a growing variety of CFLs and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs available
today that meet the new standards. The price of LED bulbs is coming down very rapidly, Dave said. “When deciding which type of lightbulb to buy, it’s important to match the bulb with how and where you’re going to use it,” he said. The chart below will help you find the right bulb for various applications. There are numerous exceptions to the incandescent phase-out, including three-way bulbs, appliance bulbs, colored bulbs, plant lights, bug lights and shatter-resistant bulbs.
Cost
Avg. Rated Life (hours)
Reach Full Brightness
Recommended Uses
Low - Med.
8,000
60 seconds, Newer kinds 15 seconds
Everywhere, except cold environments
24,000 – 30,000
30 seconds when cold
Kitchen, laundry, shop, garage
Fluorescent tubes Med.
By Terry Zank
Notes Contain small amount of mercury; deal w/ broken bulbs properly
LEDs
High
35,000
Instantly
Recessed can lights, track fixtures, exterior fixtures, general purpose, table lamps
Halogens/ PAR Halogen
Med.
4,000 - 6,000
Instantly
Recessed cans, A true incandescent crisp exterior flood, defined pattern dimming applications, general purpose, track
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Use 15-20% less energy than CFLs and last longer
People
Central Maintenance Celebrates 13-Year Safety Record Central Maintenance Machinists Dept. 489 celebrates 13 years without a lost-time accident at a luncheon hosted by Production Operations Division Manager Greg Krieser and Central Maintenance manager Keith Morrison. Greg and Keith thank the group for their continued good work and challenged the machinists to go another year without any accidents. Pictured are, from the left, Mark Patach, James West, Brad Kaufman, Tom Omer, Davey Rech, Kelly Hough, Mike Milledge, Rick Kellar, Arlo Christensen, Corey Childers, Todd Lewis, Rob Christianson, John Stroy, Dominick Mangano, Trevor Fiala, Larry Byers, Tracey Roberts, Andy Frye, Kirk Allen, Josh LeMay, Keith Morrison and Gerry Munoz.
So this thi is i the th new guy... He H don't d 't look l k so bright b i ht to me. Whadda ya say boys?
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People December Retirements Reuben Rosales, Supervisor-Material Handling NO, Production Operations, retired Dec. 1 with 35 years of service. Reuben joined OPPD in 1976 as a utility man in Materials Handling, Production Operations. He is pictured at right. Kenneth Roth, Division Manager-Production Engineering & Technical Support, retired Dec. 1 with 31 years of service. Ken joined OPPD in 1980 as an engineer in GSE-Mechanical, Engineering Division. George Sinos, Manager-Emerging Technologies, Information Technology, retired Dec. 1 with 30 years of service. George joined OPPD in 1981 as a programmer analyst in the Technical Applications Department, Management Systems Services. Salvatore Trombino, Instrument/Control Coordinator-NC Maintenance, Production Operations, retired Dec. 1 with 36 years of service. Salvatore joined OPPD in 1974 as a helper in the Operations Department. Eric Willis, Shift Security Supervisor FC, Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support, retired Dec. 1 with 19 years of service. Eric joined OPPD in 1991 as a security officer in Nuclear Operations.
January Retirements Bradley Kaufman, SupervisorMechanical Projects, Production Operations, retired Jan. 1 with 29 years of service. He joined OPPD as a senior engineer in 1982. Donald Cook, Nuclear Security Officer, Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support, retired Jan. 1 with 10 years of service. He joined OPPD in 2001 as a security officer. Patricia Holeman, Field Collector III, retired Jan. 1 with 30 years of service. She joined OPPD in 1981 as a utility worker.
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John Childers, left, and Reuben Rosales are pictured inside North Omaha Station. Reuben, who retired Jan. 1, escorted Corporate Communication employees through the plant during an outage last year, when this and several other progress photos were taken.
Club News: High Voltage Club The November meeting started with 150 members bringing food for the Omaha Food Bank. A large quantity and variety of food was received… The club welcomed new members Cindy and Nick Koch... Pam Nowak has been busy traveling. Her first travel took her to Pennsylvania to visit her daughter and family. She then ventured off to England to attend the wedding of her cousin’s daughter. South Africa is the home of one of her cousin’s and wife. They are now here visiting Pam and family along with enjoying Omaha… A surprise 50th wedding anniversary party was given recently to Sherry and Darrell Lundy. Their children did a good job of keeping it a secret. Congratulations ! ... Elaine and Harold Williamson recently traveled to Myrtle Beach, S.C. for a six-day vacation. They attended the reunion of Harold’s shipmates from World War II. It was their 67th anniversary of the biggest naval battle of the war… Jerry Krause has been active on the Ralston Chamber of Commerce in the development of the former Lakeview Golf Course in Ralston. It is becoming a 3,500-seat sports and events center, and the home of the Lancers, along with other top organizations. - Sharon Dickman
Sympathies Rick Stanger, System Planning & Cost Management, for the death of his father. John Wichman, Production Engineering & Technical Support, for the death of his father. Randy Veik, Production Operations, for the death of his father. Ed Matthews, Substation Operations, for the death of his mother. Brian Stone, Substation Operations, for the death of his grandmother and for the death of his wife’s grandfather. Joe Turecek, Substation Operations, for the death of his mother-in-law. John Kudlacz, Material Management, for the death of his mother, Dolores Kudlacz on Nov. 14. Dave Sandstedt, Information Technology, for the death of his father, David C. Sandstedt, on Nov. 6. Jeff Faris, Substation Operations, for the death of his grandmother. Pam Czech, Substation Operations, for the death of her grandson. Jack Irons, retired, for the death of his mother-in-law. Dee and Kevin Hellbusch, Omaha Center, for the death of Dee’s grandfather, Boyd Cable, on Dec. 11.
November-December Service Anniversaries 35 Years
Michael Daniels, T&D Operations Ronald McIvor, Substation Operations
30 Years Marlyn Anderson, FCS Plant Operations Patrick Carnazzo, Customer Sales & Service Douglas Collins, Energy Marketing & Trading Rick Gilman, Production Operations Ruth Jamieson, Customer Service Operations James Jershin, Production Operations Randol Johnson, Production Operations Thomas Kipper, Production Operations Thomas Mayhan, System Planning & Cost Management Timothy McGinnis, Production Operations Joseph Ramirez, T&D Operations Thomas Reilly, Substation Operations Patricia Rumery, Material Management John Smith, Nuclear Assessments Dennis Stading, Nuclear Site Operations
25 Years Michael Butt, Safety & Technical Training Howard Fields, T&D Operations Raymond Herek, Customer Service Operations Gary Kelly, Information Technology Patricia Martin, Nuclear Engineering Leslie Nano, Corporate Accounting Steven Neuverth, T&D Operations Earley Smith, Production Engineering & Technical Support
20 Years Genea Davis, Information Technology Boling Dong, System Planning & Cost Management Gordon Frank, Substation Operations Bassem Haddad, Nuclear Engineering Marie Heins, T&D Operations David Husak, Production Operations Nicholas Keating, Production Operations Larry Kilpatrick, Production Operations Ebrahim Noseir, Nuclear Engineering David Ponec, Customer Service Operations Robert Porter, FCS Plant Operations Anthony Silva, Substation Operations Ronald Vogel, Information Technology Eric Willis, Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support Michael Wordekemper, Production Operations
15 Years Kimberly Barnes, Customer Sales & Service Michael Gobber, T&D Operations Ronald Hansen, T&D Operations Kevin Kroeger, Production Engineering & Technical Support James Helmberger, Substation Operations
10 Years Patrick Barnes, Production Operations Mark Brasch, Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support Donald Cook, Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support
Patrick Damme, T&D Operations Neil Ferguson, Facilities Management Gene Fischer, Production Engineering & Technical Support James Forhan, Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support Tracy Haessler, Customer Service Operations Joseph Hanover, T&D Operations Bradley Hendricks, Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support Michael Johnson, Customer Service Operations Clint Langan, Facilities Management Robert Loges, T&D Operations Laura Manning, System Planning & Cost Management Derek Peckenpaugh, Information Technology Jay Schubert, Customer Sales & Service David Swett, Customer Service Operations Lee Van Nurden, Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support Carla Vice, FCS Plant Operations Steve Walz, T&D Operations Alan Weis, Substation Operations Jamar Williams, T&D Operations
5 Years Bradly Almquist, Production Operations Eric Bender, Production Operations Steven Muell, Production Operations Danny Oakes, Production Operations Mark Pohl, Operations Analysis Michael Zeringue, Production Operations
Deaths Services were held Nov. 7 in Omaha for Kathleen M. Boler, 99. Kay joined OPPD in 1930 in Customer Accounting and retired in 1977 as an officer of the company. Kay was preceded in death by her parents, James and Mae Boler; brothers, John Boler, Maurice Boler and James Boler; and sister, Eileen Lynch. She is survived by a cousin, Rev. Martin Boler; sister-in-law, Virginia Boler; nieces and nephews. Services were held Dec. 26 for Arthur L. Grell, 75. Art joined OPPD in 1960 as an assistant engineer. He retired in 1994 as manager of substation construction at the Elkhorn Center. He is preceded in death by parents, Arthur and Bessie Grell. He is survived by wife of 55 years, Patricia (Ramey) Grell, Council Bluffs; children, Nancy (Dwight) Harts, Mathew (Lisa) Grell, Richard Grell, and Kathy (Scott) Emery; 4 grandchildren, Hannah, Sydney, Abby, and Jack; and sister, Ruth Applegate.
Services were held Dec. 29 for Lillian Hughes, 98. Lillian joined OPPD’s predecessor, Nebraska Power Company, in 1936. She retired from OPPD in 1976 as supervisor of Account Maintenance. Lillian was preceded in death by husband, Richard E. Hughes; sisters, Anna, Marguerite, G. Dorothy, and Florence; and brothers, William and Richard. She is survived by sister-in-law, Stella Paulson; numerous nieces and nephews. Services were held in Omaha on Nov. 14 for Thomas L. Quackenbush, shown in a 1977 photo. Tom joined OPPD in August 1937 in the shipping department in and retired in 1977 as supervisor of office services in Production Operations. Tom is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Lynn and Robert Schmill, daughter-in-law, Julie A. Quackenbush; grandchildren, Erin (Jason) Humlicek, Steven Quackenbush and Nicole, Jenae Schmill; great grandchildren, Ella, Ian, Maya and Caitlin. Preceded in death by wife, Ruth, son, Jack and grandson, Matthew. Services were held Dec. 8 for Jeffrey T. Thacker, 45. Jeff joined OPPD in October 1997 and at the time of death held the position of Electrician 1st Class in the Substation Operations Division. Jeff is survived by his wife, Julie, sons Jacob and Alexander, grandparents, Thomas and Juanita Thacker, father, Carl Thomas Thacker, Sr., siblings, Carla (Dave), Carl, Jr. (Kristi) and Daniel (Amanda); parents-in-law, James and Theresa Clark, sisters-in-law, Janice (Pat) Dotzler and JoEllen (Brian) Keating, many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by mother, Ruth Ann Byrd-Thacker. Services were held Dec. 9 for Ralph D. “Curly” Johnson, 77. Ralph started in at OPPD 1982 as a steamfitter in the Central Maintenance Pressure Equipment area and retired in August 1993 as a journeyman steamfitter. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Alma Johnson and brother, William. Survived by children, JoLynn Williams, Daniel (Jody) Johnson, James Johnson and Connie Krueger; numerous grandchildren; brother, George, sister, Carolyn Clary.
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® PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID OMAHA NE PERMIT NO. 97
444 South 16th Street Mall Omaha, Nebraska 68102-2247 Address Service Requested
A Timeline About the Front Line New Omaha Center home to memories, memorabilia The display will show old photos,old equipment and other artifact used by employees.
Memorabilia will transform these alcoves into a wall of History.
It’s a tale that spans 60-plus years – a timeline that captures OPPD’s history from the front lines. The new Omaha Center will soon be home to the photos and artifacts that make up the T&D wall of history. The project, which started during discussions when the new Omaha Center was being designed, was quickly embraced by Facilities Management, the Omaha Center, Corporate Communications and more recently, retirees. When word spread, so did the memories and the stories. After a presentation about the wall at the High Voltage Club luncheon, several retirees offered to donate items. Bill Muff’s widow, Mary Muff, explained how she had a 1957 linemen’s photo, as well as Bill’s gloves and climbers. She did not know what to do with them, and the wall of history seemed like a per-
fect place to preserve them. Others, such as Dick Lindsey, Jesse Brown, Dean Hemphill and Bob Ward offered up old photos, bulbs, an anniversary watch, linemen rodeo items and a cast iron splicers’ bucket for melting lead. As it turns out, the idea for a history wall had germinated years ago. Bruce Hayden further explained that items had been gathered for an intended T&D “museum” at the Energy Control Center (ECC) more than 20 years ago. The information was shared with Facilities, who found this box of history tucked away at ECC. From a 1918 safety manual to a bosun’s chair, climbers, hard hats and amp readers, the wall recaps the history of Omaha Center, relives the storms battled and tracks the evolution of technology throughout the years. Spearheading this effort are Jerry Benedict, Jeremy Bryant, Jeff Hartung, Tim Potts and Gary Stephan from the Omaha Center, Kim Hoock and Ed Thiele of Facilities Management, and Paula Lukowski and Laurie Zagurski of Corporate Communications.