Some things never change
Contents On the cover: Cynthia Buettner, Laura Kapustka, Anna Davis and Tami Monroe visit with Lillian Hughes, who retired in 1976.
2
Nuclear Vision
4
FCS Ready for “Renaissance�
6
Leaning Into the Business
8
True Champions
As he begins a second term as chairman of the board of directors of the Nuclear Energy Institute, OPPD President Gary Gates talks about the growing momentum of nuclear energy. With a renewed interest in nuclear technology, dozens of new reactors are on drawing boards, and many plants are doing power uprate projects, including Fort Calhoun Station.
2
The Lean process is shaving days and dollars off the way OPPD operates.
13
OPPD gives the J.M. Harding Award of Excellence to the Bellevue Public School District for a second time.
10
Golden Girl
13
Counting the Cost
14
Graduates
22
People
At age 96, Retiree Lillian Hughes spread a little sunshine on some OPPD women as they talked about the power company over lunch.
6
What is the impact of the new healthcare legislation on OPPD? Twenty-seven employees are among the 183 featured graduates. Service anniversaries, retirements, deaths, sympathies and retiree club notes.
Vol. 90, No. 4, July/August 2010 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 Associate Editor .............................Vicker Sykes 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
Contributing Staff Chris Cobbs Jeff Hanson Mike Jones Gary Williams Laurie Zagurski
Django Greenblatt-Seay Sharon Jefferson Vicker Sykes Kyle Wullschleger Terry Zank
Reporters Randy Alsman Tim Ash Kim Barnes Karma Boone Katie Brenneman Joanne Brown Judy Brugger Cec Christensen Jeannie Corey Sharon Dickman Rebecca Finn Kelly Fleming Anne Forslund Jennifer Gardner Karen Gertz Natalie Ging Nancy Goddard Barbara Gullie Jill Hanover
Ed Howell Traci Hug Sharon Jefferson Debbie Jensen Karissa Johnson Terri Kelly Shelley Kendrick Melinda Kenton Suzanne Krajicek Becky Kruger Julie Kuhr Sharon Melody Doug Mickells Jamie Moore Shawn Moore Shelly Mruz Beth Nagel Karen Nelson Chris Norris
Rick Perrigo Trudy Prather Pam Price Lana Pulverenti Heather Rawlings Kathy Royal Terri Salado Peter Schiltz Diane Schroder Karen Schutt Jim Shipman Jammie Snyder Kathy Stolinski Clint Sweet Vince Timmerman Dennis Vanek Dawn Varner
Senior Management
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 Adrian J. Minks ................................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 Geoffrey C. Hall .............................Board Member Anne L. McGuire. ..........................Board Member Fred J. Ulrich..................................Board Member Del D. Weber. ................................Board Member
Line Items EMTs Use Defibrillator at Fort Calhoun Station to Save Co-worker’s Life The call came into the Fort Calhoun Station control room on May 13: “We need the EMTs, now!” shouted Helen Thompson, a chemist in FCS Plant Operations. The control room immediately made the announcement for emergency medical technician (EMT) volunteers to respond to a co-worker who fell ill in the chemistry office area. Helen’s quick response and call to the control room set off a chain of life-saving efforts. Within minutes, several Fort Calhoun EMTs arrived at the scene. Greg Smith and Don Kurtti started CPR, and the EMTs brought an automated external defibrillator (AED), a rela-
tively new piece of equipment at FCS. Because of the rapid EMT response and availability of the AED, the EMTs were able to restart their co-worker’s heart. Mike Smith, one of the responding EMTs, called for life flight and an ambulance for transport. State police blocked off Highway 75 to allow for a helicopter to land and to prepare for transport to an Omaha hospital. Close family members of the stricken employee expressed their gratitude and said, “The EMTs saved her life. No one wants to have a life-threatening illness like this happen to them anywhere, but having it happen that
day at FCS, rather than at home or somewhere else, made the difference between life and death.” Helen and the following EMT and Medical Responder personnel are commended for their life-saving roles: Greg Smith, Mike Smith, Don Kurtti, Jay Mulkey, Pete Gunderson, Mike McKinley, Duane Gage, Sherry Chamberlain, Scott Robbins and FCS Security personnel. Excerpt from ON (OPPD News online) June 15, 2010 Written by Tim Dukarski, supervisor of chemical services
....................................................... OPPD to Maintain Regional Communications System
OPPD is joining hands with Douglas, Washington and Sarpy counties in Nebraska and Pottawattamie County in Iowa on a new agreement. The new inter-local proposal ultimately will mean greater public safety by maintaining the ability of counties, public safety agencies, and others in the region to share information. The agreement calls for OPPD to provide maintenance services for a new wide area network microwave system. The system was built by Douglas County through a grant from the federal government. OPPD and the four other entities involved will share communication infrastructure and maintenance services. In exchange for providing maintenance, OPPD will see replacement of obsolete equipment at four of its tower sites. It also will receive high-priority bandwidth now and additional bandwidth in the future. The Douglas County Technology Commission will oversee implementation of the agreement. Sharing communications infrastructure and maintenance services is expected to reduce overall costs for all of the participants. Excerpt from ON (OPPD News online) June 17, 2010
Back off my log, frog face! What're you lookin' at? Take a picture, it'll last longer!
Comstock 2010
How the snapping turtle got its name. July/August 2010 Flash 1
A FORCE IN THE FIELD
Nuclear Vision The nuclear industry is on the verge of a rebirth, and OPPD leaders play a big role in its future. On the following pages, President Gary Gates talks about this nuclear renaissance, and Vice President Dave Bannister talks specifically about Fort Calhoun Station.
OPPD President and CEO Gary Gates gave a keynote address to nuclear plant leaders from around the world at the Nuclear Energy Assembly in May. Photo courtesy Nuclear Energy Institute.
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Gary Gates speaks from experience when he talks about operating a nuclear plant. Before becoming OPPD’s chief executive in 2004, he was the district’s chief nuclear officer. That experience gives him a unique view as, for the first time in decades, nuclear energy re-emerges on the national scene as a potential source for solving some of the nation’s energy problems and reducing carbon-emissions from fossil fuel generation. His expertise is among the reasons that in May, leaders from throughout the nuclear industry re-elected Gary to a second term as chairman of the board of directors of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI). The organization, based in Washington D.C., serves as one of the leading voices for the nuclear industry and acts as the nuclear industry’s primary lobbying group.
In addition to NEI, Gary continues to serve in other key organizations. He remains on the board of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) based in Atlanta, Georgia. INPO was established in 1979 by the industry to promote the highest level of safety, reliability and excellence in the operation of nuclear generating plants. He is also one of only two U.S. representatives on the governing board of the World Association of Nuclear Operators. Gary said from his perspective he believes nuclear energy has regained a certain amount of momentum in recent years. He is convinced that momentum will lead to more nuclear plants being built in the United States and around the world. “There are about 446 plants today around the world. Most projections estimate 1,200 by the year 2030,” Gary said. He added that 13 applications for 22 new reactors that would be
World Map of Nuclear Power Reactors
“The industry’s strong safety and operating performance provides a solid foundation for growth that can create International Nuclear Safety Center at ANL
built over the next 10 to 20 years are already pending in the U.S. The number of applications does not currently include OPPD. As he has so often, Gary explained that OPPD would probably not need another baseload plant until 2025 at the earliest. He said the decision whether to build a nuclear unit or to go with another type of plant at that time “would be driven by economics.” Many polls indicate that nuclear energy currently enjoys high public favorability, as well as strong bipartisan political support. That support has included President Obama. Gary said he believes the increased support is due to the industry’s strong safety and operating performance, established by the industry’s continuing efforts to improve. It is a belief he took to NEI’s annual convention, held recently in San Francisco and attended by 475 industry leaders. Gary told the group, “The industry’s strong safety and operating performance provides a solid foundation for growth that can create tens of thousands of jobs and careers; help prevent emissions of greenhouse gases linked to the threat of climate change; strengthen U.S. energy security and meet rising electricity demand from a reliable, round-the-clock energy source.” While, he believes the momentum for nuclear expansion is strong, Gary also offered a few words of caution as he urged colleagues to be vigilant and dogged in their efforts to
maintain strong safety cultures throughout their companies. “Nothing is more important to the future of nuclear energy than the safe, reliable operation of our existing assets,” said Gary. Speaking in his office, Gary called it an “exciting time” to be a part of the energy industry in general. At the same time, he observed that the nation may be at a real crossroads in terms of its energy policy. He added that the next two or three years will make a huge difference in any kind of energy production. In terms of nuclear energy, Gary said the United States is in position to regain its technical leadership, especially with the development of new kinds of reactors, such as modular reactors. These are smaller units that will fit into other systems and can be constructed in the U.S. Speaking of his leadership role, Gary said he sees a common theme in both his role and the message he brings to all of the various organizations in which he serves. “We are only going to be as good as the plant that runs the best, and that means we have to operate the ones we have very well and safely. We have to operate the new ones very well and safely and continue to move that bar upward.” Gary said that means setting an example for the world. “The United States is viewed as the best nuclear operator in the world. We need to do all we can to maintain that.”
tens of thousands of jobs and careers; help prevent emissions of greenhouse gases linked to the threat of climate change; strengthen U.S. energy security and meet rising electricity demand from a reliable, round-the-clock energy source.” - Gary Gates to attendees at the NEI annual convention
By Mike Jones July/August 2010 Flashh 3
Fort Calhoun Station Is Re Nuclear Facts As of June 2010, 29 countries worldwide were operating 438 nuclear reactors for electricity generation, and 58 new nuclear plants were under construction in 15 countries. Nuclear plants provided 14% of the world’s electricity production in 2009. Nuclear energy provided 20.2% of the United States’ electricity in 2009, which totaled 798.7 billion kilowatt-hours. Largest U.S. nuclear plant: Palo Verde (Arizona), with three reactors for a total of 3,942 megawatts. Smallest U.S. nuclear plant: Fort Calhoun Station, with one reactor at 484 megawatts. Source: Nuclear Energy Institute, www.nei.org
Top 10 Nuclear Generating Countries for 2009 billion kWh: U.S. 798.7 France 390.0 Japan 260.1 Russia 153.0 Korea Republic 141.1 Germany 127.6 Canada 85.3 Ukraine 77.8 China 70.1 United Kingdom 62.9 Source: International Atomic Energy Agency, U.S. data from Energy Information Administration.
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Driving north on Highway 75, you will spot the Fort Calhoun Station campus as you round a bend in the road that cuts through the peaceful countryside. Native grasses blow in the wind like they did when covered wagons travelled through in the 1800s. Significantly, the site on which OPPD’s nuclear power plant was built in the late 1960s and early 1970s had been productive for hundreds of years. In the 1800s, soldiers from nearby Fort Atkinson gardened on the spot to supplement their garrison rations. The Mormons set up a summer camp to provision their wagon trains. Later, the town of DeSoto spent its brief moment in history there before it faded from the scene. At the Feb. 9, 1968, groundbreaking, OPPD General Manager Ellsworth E. Schwalm dug the fertile farmland and proclaimed: “This is a historic moment. We now turn this soil for a new type of production, nuclear power.” OPPD decision-makers back then were strategic and saw the value nuclear energy would bring the power company. Fort Calhoun Station began commercial production of electricity in September of 1973, just one
month before the Arab oil embargo, which caused the Energy Crisis of 1973 and escalation of fuel oil prices. Since it went online, FCS has accounted for more than 35 percent of OPPD’s total generation. The plant has produced 114,181,812,000 kilowatt-hours through December 2009. Fort Calhoun Station is ready for the renaissance nuclear energy is experiencing. This renewed interest in this technology is due largely to concerns about rising energy demand and clean air, according to the Edison Electric Institute. The U.S. Department of Energy projects that the U.S. will need 28 percent more electricity by 2035, and nuclear energy – America’s largest source of carbon-free electricity – is prepared to fill the need. OPPD’s Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer Dave Bannister said the utility has done a great job of ensuring Fort Calhoun Station’s continued safe operation. He said that remains a priority for the future. “As part of our license renewal in 2003, which extends FCS’s operating license to 2033, we made a commitment to long-term
ady for “Renaissance” FCS Facts Ground-Breaking February 1968 Initial Fuel Load June 1973 Commercial Operation September 1973 Initial Construction Cost $178,300,000 License Renewal (extended to 2033) November 2003 Copyright©: Scientech, a business unit of Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Company. Map prepared 1/1/10. Note: The NRC Review has been suspended for Callaway 2, Grand Gulf 3, Nine Mile Point 3, Turkey Point 6 & 7, and Victoria County 1 & 2.
asset-management-type work,” said Dave. “This work ensures that systems and structures are able to perform their design function long into the future.” As part of the license-renewal process, OPPD laid out a multi-year plan to address necessary system inspections and plant modifications. In 2006, Fort Calhoun Station underwent a refurbishment outage that reached a scope no nuclear power plant had ever attempted. The project included replacing the steam generators, reactor vessel head, pressurizer, low-pressure turbines and main transformer. Other plants had replaced these same components, but Fort Calhoun Station was the first pressurized-water-reactor plant in the world to replace all of them during the same outage. OPPD brought the plant back online ahead of schedule and about $35 million under budget. Currently, OPPD is working on a project that will increase the electrical output of the Fort Calhoun Station. Called the Extended Power Uprate (EPU), the project uses a combination of detailed analysis and strategic component upgrades to increase station output. When approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the 17 percent power uprate will add approximately 75 megawatts (MW) in the summer and 80 MW in the win-
ter to OPPD’s generation capacity, following the fall 2012 refueling outage. “During a refueling outage, we do more than just disassemble the reactor and refuel. There is a significant amount of testing and inspections on systems that we can’t access when the plant is online,” said Dave. “This work is done to ensure safety, reliability and meet regulatory requirements.” Dave credits the expertise and tenacity of current and past nuclear employees at the plant. “The nuclear industry’s key focus is safety, which requires a very high level of rigor,” said Dave. “It takes great care to ensure the projects we do each day meet our standards in terms of nuclear, industrial, and radiological safety. We have to prove upfront – both to ourselves and to the NRC – that what we are doing is safe. Operating a nuclear power plant requires a commitment from a diverse group of professionals, including security, operating personnel, engineers and others.” Nuclear is our cheapest form of baseload carbon-free generation, said Dave. “This will become increasingly important as our customers’ preferences change and if legislation on carbon taxes becomes law.” By Paula Lukowski
% of Total OPPD Generation since FCS went online More than 35%
“Operating a nuclear power plant requires a commitment from a diverse group of professionals, including security, operating personnel, engineers and others.” - Dave Bannister Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer
July/August 2010 Flash 5
Leaning Into
Lean facilitators recently collaborated to help improve OPPD's process of recovering costs incurred from property damage done by people outside of OPPD. Facilitators, pictured from left, are Rick Shaneyfelt, Finance; Sue Wymore, Information Technology; Dave Thiele, Corporate Accounting; and Rissa Conner, Material Management.
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Budget cuts aren’t new around OPPD. It seems every year, employees are asked what they can “give back” to the company. Now, 38 employees are trained to help others find ways to do their work more efficiently, cutting costs along the way. The 38 are certified as Lean facilitators after several months of training and project work. They have teamed up with employees around the company in 25 projects so far that are shaving days and dollars from the way the utility operates. The Lean method of improving processes was developed from Toyota’s continuous improvement philosophy of operations, known as the Toyota Production System. This system engages the people who know the processes best and uses their knowledge to decide what changes to make. “The employees on the front line are the ones who find the improvements,” said Joe Waszak, division manager of Operations Analysis. His division is heading the Lean training effort.
“The Lean facilitators are there to help guide them through the process and introduce them to the tools.” The improvements may not be headlinegrabbing or huge. However, when added together, they can mean significant improvements in a number of areas. The biggest money-saving process change so far has involved the discovery of new ways to recycle equipment and material that comes into OPPD service centers from the field. Early numbers indicate the savings could add up to more than $135,000 annually at one location. OPPD now is taking the new recycling process to other areas of the company and will study if similar savings can be made there. Not all process improvements have major savings in money. With the new tools and knowledge, employees can identify what is vital to the process and what can be eliminated. Metrics are developed and honed for lead time and process time, with an eye to reducing both. Eliminating a day or two from an operation can make employ-
the Business
John Buckley, T&D Operations, recently helped complete a project to improve the IT Request process.
Lean Facilitators
ees more efficient in doing their jobs. “Lean can show us how to do our work in less time and better serve customers, whether they are external or internal,” said Joe. One of those internal customers is Judy Sunde, project manager – market strategies of Customer Sales & Service. Lean facilitators worked on the process of getting rebates to customers in her Prescriptive Lighting Program. “The Lean process helped us get the players together and draw attention to areas that were overly labor intensive,” Judy said. “Looking at it from a different angle, we were able to reassess what information we were requesting.” As a result of the Lean effort, Judy says CS&S has simplified parts of their application forms and sped up processing of rebates. Kevin Fustos, budgeting and administrative coordinator in Facilities Management, served on the Lean team that worked with Judy. “It was a good learning experience that touched customers directly,” Kevin said. “We even sought input from customers as we were working out improvements.” The process improvements developed in the lighting project have put it in line for further improvements via automation. Kevin sees additional personal benefits. “I was able to work with people from across the company and learn a lot about other business units,” he said. “That has meant a lot.”
Sometimes, processes remain the same over time “because we’ve always done it that way.” OPPD employees are finding ways to streamline the way the district does business through Lean and other tools. In a few years, they hope to make continuous process improvement something that has “always been done that way.” By Jeff Hanson
Facilitators implemented a 5S Lean method on a previously unorganized tool room at Elkhorn Center. Signs, lanes, labels and color-coding were used to better organize the recycling room space.
Anthony Armstrong John Buckley Rissa Conner Wayne Crumbley Mike Daniels Diane Eriksen Kevin Fustos Stacey Gasson Joel Glantz Ed Howell Landy Jacobson Jim Karnik Ben Koziel Verlyn Kroon Tom Larsen Pat McDermott Dennis McGranaghan Kirk Miller Wes Moore Keith Morrison Leisia Nelson Andrew Peacock Roger Peterson Tim Pilmaier Mark Pohl Kevin Rathke Ken Roth Gary Ruhl Rick Shaneyfelt Jim Smith Dave Thiele Gary Van Osdel Tim Vasquez Joe Waszak Sr. Dave Wesely Sue Wymore Wyndle Young Laurie Zagurski
July/August 2010 Flash 7
J.M. Harding Award of Excellence
TRUE
CHAMPIONS
n its quest to provide quality education, the Bellevue Public School District has done a fair share of homework itself. As a result, it has become a champion for energy-efficiency and environmental stewardship at all of its locations. For its continued efforts in this area, OPPD has awarded Bellevue Public School District with its second J.M. Harding Award of Excellence. Named for the first president of OPPD, J.M. Harding, the award has been given since 1984 to a commercial or industrial customer for demonstrating efficient and innovative use of energy. Bellevue’s repeat receipt of the award is a reflection of the leadership of the administration, the Bellevue Board of Education, and the teamwork of the Bellevue Public School staff.
Lean and Green “Going green isn’t just a trend in Bellevue, we live it every day,” said Dr. John Deegan, Bellevue’s superintendent of schools. “Bellevue Public Schools has partnered with the Omaha Public Power District for many years. OPPD has evaluated our energy systems and recommended plans on how to become more efficient. These recommendations have paid off for the Bellevue Public Schools and provided us an opportunity to be good stewards of taxpayers’ dollars and good role models for our students.” As the fourth-largest school district in the state, Bellevue has 15 elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools, serving more than 10,000 students. It maintains twomillion square feet of space. Bellevue Public Schools has been very proactive in energy-efficiency upgrades, both in partnership with OPPD and on its own, according to Steve Sauer, OPPD account executive. OPPD, with assistance from the Energy Systems Laboratory at the University of Nebraska, has evaluated the district energy systems, provided recommendations and helped develop a plan on how to become more efficient. “Once the plan is fully implemented, energy costs may be reduced by 20 percent or more,” said Sauer. “Bellevue also does a great job of long-range energy planning,” said Steve. “The district always has something on its long-range plans.”
8 Flash July/August 2010
At Mission Middle School are Steve Sauer, OPPD account executive; Laurie Hanna, Mission principal; Shawn Hoppes, dean of students at Mission; and Jim McMillion, director of support services for Bellevue Public Schools.
Learning Environment
Welcome Center and Lied Activity Center. The GLHE is a space-conditioning system “A driving force in all of our projects is that uses the earth’s relatively constant temcomfort for students. If they are comfortable, perature to provide heating and cooling to they will be able to learn and perform better,” said Jim McMillion, director of support services buildings. Wells are drilled below the surface, for the Bellevue Public School District. “But we where heat is transferred from the earth to a liquid solution, which circulates through the certainly look at cost when we are planning piping network to heat the building. The same projects. We try to put together programs and system cools a building by removing the heat projects that go hand-in-hand with comfort, from the interior and transferring it back to cost and energy efficiency.” A dramatic transformation took place in 2009 the ground. “The biggest benefit of geothermal heat at Bellevue’s oldest school, Mission Middle pumps is that they use 25 percent to 50 perSchool, when old radiator heat and inefficient cent less electricity than conventional heating air conditioning units were replaced with or cooling systems,” said Sauer. energy-efficient heat pumps, a new cooling The Bellevue school system also is the first tower and high-efficiency boilers. OPPD customer to install Digital Optimizer When the project was completed last fall, Technology, which will be used at Lewis & Principal Laurie Hanna didn’t get as many Clark Middle School. This new technology complaints as she had in the past. Gone were the clanking sounds from the old radiator heat- will extend the life of cooling equipment, as it ers and the whistling from the air conditioners. is designed to stop cycling that wears out the compressor. “It will reduce energy consumpTeachers did not have to open windows in the tion and demand by about 40 percent for the middle of winter because of radiator hot spots. “There was an absence of distraction, which was associated equipment, and it will be another money-saver,” said Sauer. good for learning,” said Hanna. Not only do the Bellevue students benefit Digging Deep from the district’s efforts, but it has a lot to At its newest schools, Bellevue Elementary teach other customers, too. and Lewis & Clark Middle School, the district By Paula Lukowski installed ground loop heat exchange (GLHE) systems, technology that it already had at the
Lewis & Clark Middle School is a pioneer in its own right when it comes to energy efficiency.
July/August 2010 Flash 9
Lillian Hughes es worked in Corporate Accounting her entire career. On her desk is a comptometer, which was the first commercially successful keydriven mechanical calculator.
At 96, Retiree Lillian Hughes still shows the sharpness and spunk that she displayed during
her 40-year OPPD career in Customer Accounting. She was ahead of her time in regards to speaking up for women’s rights in the workplace, and she has fond memories of her days at the power company, 34 years after her retirement. In fact, her colorful accounts of those days to a staff member at Immanuel Village led to a wonderful lunch meeting between Lillian and a group of women who hold management positions at OPPD. The fast friendships that formed that May afternoon show that some things never change.
o
n a cold winter evening in 1943, Lillian Paulsen left work at 4:30 in the afternoon, perhaps more hurriedly than any other day since she began working for the Nebraska Power Company on March 11, 1936. She and her boyfriend, Dick Hughes, had hatched the perfect plan – one that they would keep a secret until 1946. Blood tests in hand, they boarded the 5:30 p.m. bus to Fremont. Dick had called ahead to get the marriage license.
10 Flash July/August 2010
They found the rectory, but the priest couldn’t marry them. He pointed them to a justice of the peace eight blocks north. “It was so cold, I thought I was going to freeze,” said Lillian. A bowl of oyster stew at the drug store warmed them a bit. They made their trek, and the justice’s wife and her sister were witnesses to the Hughes’ marriage. After the ceremony, they rode the late bus back to Omaha and resumed their lives apart.
In those days, Lillian would have had to quit her job if they found out she was married. “During World War II, so many men in the office went to war, they eventually started letting married women work,” said Lillian. The war lasted from 1939 to 1945. “However, if you got pregnant, that was grounds for dismissal.” That was one of many stories Lillian has shared with Candi Puren, senior living consultant at Immanuel Village, the community in which Lillian lives. Candi was so impressed by Lillian and her passion for the power company that she told her friend, Cynthia Buettner, OPPD’s division manager of Customer Service Operations, that “she had to meet this woman.” Cynthia arranged a lunch meeting between Lillian and several women who would have been her contemporaries years ago. In addition to Cynthia, the group included Laura Kapustka, division manager of Planning & Budgeting Services; Tami Monroe, manager of Financial Planning; and Anna Davis, manager of Treasury & Risk Management. When she retired, Lillian was supervisor of Account Maintenance.
use the typewriter and comptometer, which I learned to use in high school. Twenty-five cents was minimum wage. I made 39 cents an hour, which was about $65 per month and about $800 a year.” Those were tough times, as families struggled to recover from the Great Depression, which spread worldwide after the 1929 Wall Street crash. The market crash marked the beginning of a decade of high unemployment, poverty, low profits, deflation and lost opportunities for economic growth and personal advancement. The economy reached bottom in the winter of 1932-33, and then four years of very rapid A Job Worth Keeping growth followed. In 1937, the American econBorn in Omaha, Lillian graduated from South omy unexpectedly fell, lasting through most High School and eventually went to work in a of 1938. The government began heavy military small real estate office for $5 a week before the spending in 1940, and started drafting millions utility job opened up in 1936. of young men that year. “It took me four years to get a job,” recalled “I remember my first paycheck,” said Lillian. Lillian. “I got hired at OPPD because I could “I gave it to my mom, and she gave me back $5 for car fare. During the Great Depression, families were so poor that children were expected to help out.” Lillian, who was the middle of seven children, also had two sisters who worked for the power company. An older sister, Anne Paulsen, started working for Nebraska Power Company eight years before Lillian and worked there for 48 years. Another sister, Marguerite In May, Retiree Lillian Hughes joined Cynthia Buettner, Laura Kapustka, Anna Davis and Tami Monroe for lunch. They looked at OPPD keepsakes still Minard, worked 24 years for the district. prized by Lillian, including many old black and white photographs. continued
This group shot of Corporate Accounting was taken in August 1963. Lillian is in the front row, second from left.
Highlights of 1936 • Lillian Hughes joined Nebraska Power Company, OPPD’s predecessor. • The month Lillian joined the district, the Customer Accounting Reporter’s Notes column in Flash magazine said that ”the new game of ‘Monopoly’ is popular among some of our members.” • Construction of the Hoover Dam was completed. • The United States men’s national basketball team won its first-ever Olympic basketball tournament in the final game over Canada, 19-8. Held in Germany, it marked the first live television coverage of a sports event in world history. • Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to a second term. • The average cost of a new home was $3,925, and a gallon of gasoline cost 10 cents.
July/August 2010 Flash 11
Some Things Never Change
Highlights of 1976 • Lillian Hughes retires from OPPD after a 40-year career. • Jimmy Carter defeats incumbent Gerald Ford for U.S. President. • Apple Computer Company is formed. • IBM introduces the first laser printer. • Nadia Comaneci wins three gold medals at the Montreal Olympics with seven perfect scores. • The average cost of a new home was $43,400, and a gallon of gasoline cost 59 cents.
“The district has been like a second home to me,” said Lillian upon her retirement. “I’ve enjoyed the people here so much. I never seriously considered looking for another job. I thought I’d hang on to a good thing.” Today, Lillian feels the same about her years downtown. “I feel strongly about the power district,” Lillian said. “Those were happy years. There’s something about the atmosphere. I felt like I was helping the district, and I didn’t mind doing things and working for the good of the whole. “I miss the relationships with the other employees. I enjoyed going to work. I liked the people, and they seemed to like me,” she said. Lillian was involved with the Women’s Division, which today is called the Energizers, and she spent more than 25 years as a Flash reporter for her department.
A Rebel with a Cause Lillian admits, though, that she was somewhat of a rebel back then, and not everyone liked what she had to say.
“I looked out for the women in the department. Sometimes, they were doing the same job as the men, but with a lower salary. We were told that the men needed the jobs because they had ‘responsibilities,’ ” she said. Lillian had the courage one time to call one of the managers on this principle. She told him that the two widows with children had more responsibilities than the two bachelors who were living at home with their parents. “I was strong-willed, and the longer I was there, the more independence I felt,” Lillian said. Lillian beamed with pride as her lunch guests told her about their responsibilities in their management jobs, and they thanked her for blazing a trail for them. The women are hoping to return the favor and have Lillian join them for lunch at Energy Plaza. After all, Lillian still has a lot of stories to tell. “If I talked for 10 years, I wouldn’t run out of things to say,” Lillian said. By Paula Lukowski Lillian, second from left at the table in the foreground, attended the OPPD 25-year banquet in 1961.
12 Flash July/August 2010
Counting the Cost The full impact of the health care overhaul passed by Congress in March will become clearer over time.
The following update comes from Nyla Cork, manager of Compensation & Benefits in Human Resources. Major health care legislation became law in late March: the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and its associated reconciliation bill. This comprehensive legislation includes provisions phased in over time, with some effective for OPPD as early as Jan. 1, 2011, and others that do not take effect until 2018. With its newness, size and complexity, the law is subject to interpretation and only a few draft regulations have been published so far. This means we will be providing our best interpretations as we move forward, but some things may change. Health Care Overhaul Highlights Significant insurance reforms take effect in 2011, such as: • Eliminating lifetime maximum benefits and pre-existing condition exclusions for children • Requiring first-dollar benefits for certain preventive health services • Extending coverage of children to age 26 • Eliminating coverage of over-the-counter medicines through flexible or health spending accounts • Increasing the penalty from 10% to 20% for non-qualified health savings account distributions • Restricting the annual dollar limits on essential benefits Other items that take effect in 2011 and later include: • Requiring employers to report additional information to employees and to the federal government (2011) • Imposing health care sector fees on pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers in 2011 and health insurance carriers in 2014 • Requiring a uniform benefit summary and notice of material changes (2012) • Imposing a research fee on all fully insured and self-funded health plans (2012, with an increase in 2013) • Imposing a $2,500 annual limit for flexible spending account contributions (2013) • Instituting automatic enrollment in employer-sponsored health plans (2014)
• Eliminating pre-existing condition exclusions for adults (2014) • Requiring employers to offer coverage that meets a certain value threshold and that is affordable to all employees (2013 and 2014) • Imposing additional taxes on high-income earners (2013) • Requiring individuals to obtain health insurance (2014) • Requiring all states to establish health insurance exchanges by 2014 to make coverage available for purchase • Eliminating all annual limits on essential benefits (2014) • Imposing an excise tax on high-cost “Cadillac” plans (2018) OPPD Impacts A number of specific provisions and general trends will impact OPPD, such as: • An increase in the number of insureds and their associated claims under our plans (e.g., covering children to age 26) • Increases in benefits paid as a result of mandates (e.g., the elimination of pre-existing limitations, even for those who did not maintain prior coverage) • Increased administrative costs associated with implementation and compliance (e.g., the additional reporting required) • Additional fees and potential taxes (e.g., research fees and an excise tax on high-cost plans) • Cost-shifting (e.g., fees imposed on the health care sector and from government-sponsored programs, such as Medicare) The emphasis of reform legislation is access/coverage, and it does not contain significant provisions for the control of health care costs. Medical inflation is expected to continue to grow at rates higher than general inflation. Factors that can increase medical plan costs in a typical year include increases in the cost of services, new technology, new name-brand prescription drugs, higher than expected claims, etc. Over and above such typical cost increases, actuarial estimates of the inflationary impact of health care reform range from 4 to 6 percent, which would represent $2 million to $3 million per year for OPPD. Remember, OPPD’s health insurance plans are self-funded. Thus, the premiums shared by OPPD and employees are based on the benefits paid under the plans, which are directly affected by these cost increases. All insureds will want to be attentive to those shared costs and do whatever they can to stay healthy and to be wise consumers of health care services when needed. The Benefits Department will provide information and details on specific provisions as the details are available and as the provisions take effect for OPPD’s plans. We ask for your patience and understanding as we work to implement what is required of OPPD by this health care legislation. July/August 2010 Flash 13
2010 High School
Tesarek Triplets among this year’s grads In June 1991, a Flash magazine article titled, “Baby, Baby, Baby – Taking Care of Triplets Means Working Overtime” introduced readers to the Tesarek triplets. John Tesarek, now supervisor of Nuclear Projects at Fort Calhoun In 1991, Diane, Matt, Lisa, Dan, Station, and John and Eric Tesarek. his wife had welcomed Matthew John, Daniel Joseph and Eric Carl on March 12, 1991. The boys joined a 3-year-old sister, Lisa. “When they were young, the biggest challenge was when one started crying, they all started crying,” said John. And, they went through about 147 bottles a week. At the time, Johns said, “It seems like they are always eating.” Nineteen years later, that statement still rings true. “It seems like we are at the grocery store about every day,” said John. The biggest challenge raising triplets in recent years has been juggling all of their activities. “They all participated in track and cross country, and they used to play basketball and soccer,” said John. In 2010, Eric, Matt and Dan. “They all like to fish, hunt and do other outdoor activities.” “We definitely kept busy over the years,” said Diane, who did her fair share of carting kids around. That made up for when the boys were babies, and John then said, “We can’t go anywhere right now. ” The Tesareks graduated from Millard North, three of the 183 graduates featured in this special graduation issue. Eric plans to attend the University of Nebraska – Lincoln to study engineering. Matt and Dan will attend the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
14 Flash July/August 2010
John Abts Creighton Prep Grandson of John Marcil Retired
Emily Adams North High Daughter of John C. Adams Nuclear Engineering
Adam Anderson Abraham Lincoln High Council Bluffs, Iowa Son of Janis Anderson Customer Service Operations
Rachael Bannister Blair High Daughter of Dave Bannister Executive
Mariah Barfield Papillion-LaVista High Daughter of Gary Barfield T&D Operations
Ryan Beasley Blair High Son of Jerry Beasley Nuclear Assessments
Brittney Bennett Plattsmouth High Daughter of Stephen Bennett Production Operations
Renee Bergeron Gross High Daughter of Bill Bergeron T&D Operations
Jakob Bower Plattsmouth High Son of Rob Carrera Production Operations
Caitlin Bozarth Abraham Lincoln High Council Bluffs, Iowa Daughter of Janet Bozarth Nuclear Engineering
Tyler Brummond Tekamah-Herman High Tekamah, Neb. Son of Heidi Johansen Material Management Ron Johansen Facilities Management
Ryan Burnison Louisville High Son of Randall Burnison T&D Operations
Emily Chamberlain Ralston High Daughter of Sherry Chamberlain FCS Plant Operations
Josh Charvat Mt. Michael High Son of Frank Charvat Substation Operations
Ashley Chism Papillion-LaVista South High Daughter of Steve Redler T&D Operations
Georgia Comstock Ralston High Daughter of Joe Comstock Corporate Communications
Ben Cordova Millard North High Son of John Cordova T&D Operations
Ryan Coufal Arlington High Son of Scott Coufal FCS Plant Operations Grandson of Leonard Coufal, Deceased Edgar Harding, Retired
Amber Crunk Nebraska City High Daughter of George Crunk Production Operations
Joshua DeMeulmeester Shawnee Mission West High Shawnee Mission, Kan. Grandson of Bob DeMeulmeester Sr. Retired
Rachel Dunham South High Granddaughter of Betty Queen Retired
Jason Edwards Millard North High Son of Eddie Edwards System Planning & Cost Management
Jake Faust Millard South High Son of Brian Faust T&D Operations
Kevin Ferrone Blair High Son of Philip Ferrone Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support
Francesca Filippelli Gross High Daughter of Maria Filippelli T&D Operations
Samantha Finley Shawnee Mission Northwest High Shawnee Mission, Kan. Granddaughter of Don Jones Retired
Patricia Foley Blair High Daughter of James Foley Substation Operations
Matthew Franco Creighton Prep Grandson of Fred Franco Retired
Daniel Geschwender North High Son of Jim Geschwender Nuclear Engineering
Heather Ging Bellevue West High Daughter of Greg Ging Safety & Technical Training
Lauren Goodell Elkhorn High Daughter of Woody Goodell Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support
Jessica Grable Johnson-Brock High Johnson, Neb. Daughter of Roger Grable Production Operations
Michael Gray Abraham Lincoln High Council Bluffs, Iowa Son of Arlo Christensen Production Operations
Lisa Hackerott Blair High Daughter of H. Alan Hackerott Nuclear Engineering
Bryer Hansen Blair High Son of Amy Hansen Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support Bryan Hansen FCS Plant Operations
Hannah Harmon Auburn High Daughter of Amy Harmon T&D Operations
Nick Harrahill Millard North High Stepson of Trevor Fiala Production Operations
Mitch Harrill Creighton Prep Son of Jacque Harrill Energy Marketing & Trading
Heather Haskins Millard North High Daughter of Joel Haskins T&D Operations
Rebekah Heitkamp Homeschool Dunbar, Neb. Daughter of Thomas Heitkamp Production Operations
July/August 2010 Flash 15
Brooke Helmberger Papillion-LaVista High Daughter of Jim Helmberger Substation Operations
Michael Herman Roncalli High Son of Terri Herman Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support Grandson of Jim Herman, Retired
David Hobbs Louisville High Son of David Hobbs T&D Operations
Joshua Hodgson Blair High Son of Randy Hodgson FCS Plant Operations
Jordan Hoffa St. Alberts High Council Bluffs, Iowa Granddaughter of Ron Hansen Retired
Zach Hoock Elkhorn High Son of Kim Hoock Facilities Management
Justin Hornback Millard South High Son of Cindy Hornback Safety & Technical Training
Nate Huebner Abraham Lincoln High Council Bluffs, Iowa Son of Bob Huebner Information Technology
Drey Hultquist Millard South High Son of Scott Hadfield T&D Operations Grandson of Pat Hultquist Material Management
Michael Janousek Papillion-LaVista South High Papillion Stepson of Brad Heimes T&D Operations
Shane Janousek Gretna High Son of Joanne Brown Substation Operations
Alex Johnson Fort Calhoun High Son of Randy Johnson Customer Sales & Service
Logan Johnson Fremont High Son of Wayne Johnson T&D Operations
Mitchol Johnson North High Son of Randol Johnson Production Operations Grandson of Alfred Cattano, Retired Great-grandson of Harry Hildebrand, Retired
Kyle Jones Millard North High Son of Keith Jones Information Technology
Connor Kapustka Westside High Son of Laura Kapustka Planning & Budgeting Services
MaryAlice Karel Johnson Brock High Johnson, Neb. Daughter of Martin Karel Production Operations
Kayla Koch Skutt High Daughter of Dave Koch Information Technology
Michael Kuhlenengel Millard North High Son of Mark Kuhlenengel Substation Operations
Heidi Kurtenbach Duchesne Academy Daughter of Dale Kurtenbach Substation Operations
Christopher Lokey Skutt High Son of Mike Lokey T&D Operations
Samantha Marcellus Blair High Daughter of Matthew Marcellus Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support
Scott Marsicek Skutt High Son of Mick Marsicek Information Technology
Sarah Martin Burke High Granddaughter of Steve Meisinger Retired
16 Flash July/August 2010
Daniel Matzke Blair High Son of Erick Matzke Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support
Justin Mayberry North High Son of Ryan Mayberry T&D Operations
Christa McCaw Bellevue West High Daughter of Jerry McCaw Safety & Technical Training
Brianne McGee Burke High Granddaughter of Ted Laisle Retired
Emily McGuire Millard West High Stepdaughter of Sharyl McGuire T&D Operations Niece of John Deboer, Retired
Makayla Mickells Gross High Daughter of Tom Mickells FCS Plant Operations
Amber Miller Millard North High Granddaughter of Charlie Vanecek, Retired Niece of Glenda Yost Substation Operations
Sam Minturn Heartland Christian School Council Bluffs, Iowa Son of Joseph Minturn T&D Operations
Jessica Moeller Millard South High Stepdaughter of Steven Wessling Production Operations
Jeffrey Moran Millard North High Son of Ruth Moran FCS Plant Operations
Monique Morgan East Mills High Malvern, Iowa Daughter of David Morgan Planning & Budgeting Services
Shawn Mowrey Elkhorn High Son of John Mowrey T&D Operations
Courtney Musgrave Roncalli High Daughter of Vicki Musgrave Corporate Auditing
Katlyn Nieland Tekamah-Herman High Tekamah, Neb. Daughter of Greg Smith FCS Plant Operations
Shelbi-An Ocander Mercy High Daughter of James Ocander T&D Operations Granddaughter of Ted Ocander Deceased
Adam O’Hara Underwood High Underwood, Iowa Son of Diane O’Hara Customer Service Operations Grandson of Tom Bruner, Retired
Justin Palmisano Papillion-LaVista South High Son of Michael Palmisano T&D Operations
Ariel Perea Bellevue West High Daughter of Jesse Perea Material Management
Jared Pinkerton Tri County High DeWitt, Neb. Son of Roberta Pinkerton Economic Development
Christian Ressler Millard North High Son of Jon Ressler Facilities Management
Brett Roenigk Blair High Son of Richard Roenigk Nuclear Engineering
Jasmine Rogers North High Daughter of Rod Rogers Facilities Management
Paul Rosales Gross High Son of Reuben Rosales Production Operations
Marissa Ruhl Westside High Daughter of Gary Ruhl Production Engineering & Technical Support
July/August 2010 Flash 17
Jessica Rycroft Fremont-Mills High Tabor, Iowa Daughter of Hallie Rodis Customer Service Operations
Nicole Savine Gross High Granddaughter of Laurine Savine, Retired Ralph Janousek, Retired
Geoffrey Sayer Papillion-LaVista High Grandson of Gary Cornic Information Technology Connie Cornic Customer Service Operations
Allison Schmeling Lincoln Lutheran High Daughter of Brian Schmeling System Planning & Cost Management
Breanne Schneidewind Abraham Lincoln High Council Bluffs, Iowa Daughter of Dale Schneidewind T&D Operations
Karly Schorsch Platteview High Springfield, Neb. Daughter of Brad Schorsch Facilities Management
Nicholas Schultz Millard South High Son of Lloyd Schultz FCS Plant Operations
Chelsea Simmerman Centennial Public School Utica, Neb. Granddaughter of Harlan Simmerman Retired
Ashlee Simmons Burke High Granddaughter of Diane Therkildsen T&D Operations
Carlie Smith Tekamah-Herman High Tekamah, Neb. Daughter of Greg Smith FCS Plant Operations
Dylan Stafford Creighton Prep Son of Jane Stafford Finance
Jasmine Stovall Westside High Daughter of Ava Stovall Information Technology
Tess Strong Ralston High Granddaughter of Roland Strong Retired
Cody Sullivan Gross High Son of Mark Sullivan Production Operations
Ryne Sutej Bellevue West High Son of Steve Sutej Substation Operations
Dan Tesarek Millard North High Son of John Tesarek FCS Plant Operations
Eric Tesarek Millard North High Son of John Tesarek FCS Plant Operations
Matt Tesarek Millard North High Son of John Tesarek FCS Plant Operations
Anthony Thiele Mt. Michael High Son of Ed Thiele Facilities Management
Trevor Tibke Millard North High Grandson of Edward Tibke Retired
Dylan Turner Millard North High Son of Phil Turner Nuclear Engineering
Darlene Tyree Burke High Daughter of Melvin Tyree T&D Operations
Kate Vasquez Duchesne Academy Omaha Granddaughter of Dan Hedrick Retired
Deborah Veik Marian High Daughter of Randy Veik Production Operations
18 Flash July/August 2010
Nick Walsh Fort Calhoun High Son of David Walsh T&D Operations
MacKenzie Welchert Blair High Daughter of Jacqueline Welchert Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support Granddaughter of Tom Wakefield, Retired
Drew Wellenstein Gretna High Son of Joey Wellenstein Planning & Budgeting Services
Austin Williams Burke High Son of Marg Williams Retired
Kameron Williams Central High Son of Lloyd Williams Jr. T&D Operations
James Wright Fort Calhoun High Son of James Wright T&D Operations
William E. Banks Bellevue University Employee Safety & Technical Training
Christopher Bottum University of Nebraska Omaha Son of Thomas Bottum Nuclear Engineering
Gary Cavanaugh Bellevue University Employee Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support
Juli Comstock Master’s Bellevue University Employee Customer Service Operations
Johnny Cummings Bellevue University Employee Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support
Jared Dietz University of Nebraska Omaha Son of Dave Dietz Retired
Wesley Dooley Dana College Blair, Neb. Son of Vince Dooley Production Operations
Danielle Ellis University of Nebraska Omaha Daughter of Barb Parolek Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support
Dr. Webster Farris University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha Son of Larry Farris Production Operations
2010 College
Taylor Young Millard West High Daughter of Robert Young Information Technology
27 Employees Receive College Degrees Among the 64 college graduates featured in this special section, 27 are OPPD employees. All of these employees participated in the OPPD Employee Education Program (EEP) program, which was established to encourage individual employee development and career planning. OPPD provides tuition assistance to employees who take classes that relate to the employee’s career interests and individual development plan, as well as the company’s strategic human resources needs. Congratulations to all the graduates.
July/August 2010 Flash 19
Justin Fitzpatrick Iowa State University Ames, Iowa Son of Mike Fitzpatrick System Planning & Cost Management
John Franco Creighton University Grandson of Fred Franco Retired
Woody Goodell Master’s University of Nebraska Omaha Employee Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support
Daniel Goodroad University of Kansas Lawrence, Kan. Son of Liz Goodroad OPPD Credit Union
Pierce Hansen University of Wyoming Laramie, Wyo. Son of Jon Hansen Executive
Stephanie Janiak University of Nebraska Lincoln Daughter of Ray Janiak Facilities Management
Scott Kellogg University of Nebraska Omaha Son of Rick Kellogg Retired
Jamie Kelly Master’s Bellevue University Employee Human Resources
Greg Krieser Master’s University of Nebraska Lincoln Employee Production Operations
Denise Kuehn Master’s Bellevue University Employee Sustainable Energy & Environmental Stewardship
Jim Kusek Creighton University Son of Larry Kusek Retired
Kiley Lamb Nebraska Wesleyan Univ. Lincoln, Neb. Daughter of Iris Lamb T&D Operations
Liz Leeper Master’s University of Nebraska Lincoln Daughter of Tad Leeper Human Resources
Cheryl Limbach Bellevue University Employee T&D Operations
Ashley Madler Nebraska Methodist College Omaha Daughter of Mark Madler T&D Operations
Melissa Martens MidAmerica Nazarene Univ. Olathe, Kan. Daughter of James Martens Information Technology
Kelsey Martz University of Nebraska Omaha Employee Customer Service Operations
Paige Mathew University of Nebraska Lincoln Daughter of Joe Mathew Nuclear Engineering
Dustin McCleskey Montana State Univ. Bozeman, Mont. Grandson of Bob DeMeulmeester Sr. Retired
Shawn Moore University of Phoenix Employee Corporate Accounting
Joy Nissen Wheaton College Wheaton, Ill. Daughter of Tim Nissen T&D Operations
Lee O’Neal Master’s Bellevue University Employee Production Engineering & Technical Support
Adam Pinkerton University of Nebraska Lincoln Son of Roberta Pinkerton Economic Development
Mark Pohl Master’s University of Nebraska Omaha Employee Operations Analysis
20 Flash July/August 2010
Jennifer Ponec University of Nebraska Omaha Daughter of David Ponec System Planning & Cost Management
Elizabeth Potter Rockhurst University Kansas City, Mo. Daughter of Michael Potter Information Technology
Jacquelyn Prine University of Kansas Lawrence, Kan. Daughter of Floyd Prine Customer Sales & Service
Whitney Sandene University of Nebraska Omaha Daughter of Thomas Sandene Nuclear Asset Management
Andrew Sauer, M.D. Harvard Medical School Boston, Mass. Son of Steven Sauer Customer Sales & Service
William Sauer University of Rochester Medical Center School of Medicine Rochester, N.Y. Son of Steven Sauer Customer Sales & Service
Katie Sharp University of Nebraska Omaha Daughter of Larry Lees Nuclear Engineering
Vanessa Shuck Hillsdale College Hillsdale, Mich. Daughter of Jerry Shuck Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support
Amanda Smith Dana College Blair, Neb. Daughter of Leland Smith T&D Operations
Steven Sojka University of Nebraska Omaha Son of James Sojka Information Technology
Stephanie Turner University of Nebraska Lincoln Daughter of Phil Turner Nuclear Engineering
Anthony Vecchio Midland Lutheran College Fremont, Neb. Grandson of Edward Tibke Retired
Not Pictured Ashley Bogle Bellevue University Employee Customer Service Operations Michelle Wright Master’s Bellevue University Employee Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support
Courtney Young University of Nebraska Omaha Daughter of Robert Young Information Technology
Heidi Yttri University of Nebraska Medical Center Daughter of Matthew Yttri Information Technology
Jeffrey Breci Master’s Bellevue University Employee Information Technology Kevin Fustos Master’s Bellevue University Employee Facilities Management Nitin Gambhir Master’s Bellevue University Employee Customer Service Operations Greg Krasa Bellevue University Employee Substation Operations Sean Lane Bellevue University Employee T&D Operations
Adam Luchsinger Master’s University of Nebraska Lincoln Employee Production Engineering & Technical Support Austin Martinez University of Nebraska Omaha Employee Customer Service Operations Lanette McGinnis Bellevue University Employee Customer Service Operations Chris Palmer Master’s Bellevue University Employee Information Technology Anthony Pojar Creighton University Son of Timothy Pojar Production Operations
Daniel Pojar Creighton University Son of Timothy Pojar Production Operations Stephen Przemielewski Master’s Bellevue University Employee Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support Marc Serrett Master’s Bellevue University Employee Human Resources Craig Stephenson Bellevue University Employee Customer Sales & Service Jessica Williams University of Nebraska Lincoln Daughter of Marg Williams Retired
July/August 2010 Flash 21
People May-June Service Anniversaries
Raymond Coenen 35 Years Facilities Management
Jimmie Bassinger 30 Years Production Operations
John Drahota 30 Years Nuclear Engineering
Timothy Grove 30 Years Governmental Affairs
Mark Gutierrez 30 Years Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support
Mark Klanderud 30 Years Information Technology
Kirk Miller 30 Years Production Operations
James Mims 30 Years Production Operations
Jeremiah Rosas 30 Years Production Operations
Richard Shaneyfelt 30 Years Finance
Jeffrey Spilker 30 Years Nuclear Engineering
David Wetrosky 30 Years Production Operations
Audwin Brown 25 Years Customer Service Operations
Daniel Coyne 25 Years Facilities Management
Patrick Johnson 25 Years T&D Operations
Joseph Ostblom 25 Years Customer Sales & Service
Timothy Yager 25 Years Production Engineering & Technical Support
Patricia Dent 20 Years Corporate Accounting
Brendan Linse 20 Years T&D Operations
Eric Davis 20 Years Nuclear Engineering
Jeff Juntunen 20 Years T&D Operations
Mark Madler 20 Years T&D Operations
Devin Meisinger 20 Years Economic Development
Christopher Stanek 20 Years Nuclear Engineering
Deborah Brozanic 15 Years Information Technology
Wilbert McLemore 15 Years Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support
Wyndle Young 15 Years Customer Sales & Service
Rodney Drake 10 Years Safety & Technical Training
Kent Herzog 10 Years Substation Operations
Terri Kelly 10 Years Environmental & Regulatory Affairs
22 Flash July/August 2010
Where are Reporters’ Notes?
Mark Krepela 10 Years Customer Sales & Service
Reporters’ notes are now available online each month. Go to oppdathome.com (be sure to spell out “at”). In Flash, we are providing club news that pertains to retirees, since many do not have access to a computer. To view the notes online, you must register the first time you visit. Once you log in, click on OPPD News, then click on the Reporters’ Notes link in the blue bar. On that same bar, you’ll find links to employee birthdays, Trading Post and more.
Service Anniversaries Not Pictured 30 Years
10 Years
Mark Bare, Nuclear Engineering Llewellyn Crispin, Production Operations John Nelle, Production Operations Fredrick Stoll, Production Operations
Terry Comstock, Customer Service Operations Thomas Hartmann, Production Operations Christopher Heimes, Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support David Hobbs, T&D Operations Timothy Kellogg, FCS Plant Operations Lanette McGinnis, Customer Service Operations Jeffery Minor, Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support Douglas Peterchuck, T&D Operations Christopher Ryan, T&D Operations Jason Shryock, FCS Plant Operations Cheryl Snow, FCS Plant Operations Craig Stephenson, Customer Sales & Service James Thompson, T&D Operations Joshua Wheeler, Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support
25 Years Todd Bumann, Production Engineering & Technical Support
20 Years James Bartosh, T&D Operations John Black, T&D Operations Philip Blum, T&D Operations Wallace Brown, T&D Operations Phil Goeden, T&D Operations Kevin Hellbusch, T&D Operations Mark Ingalls, Production Operations Delvin Lierman, T&D Operations Douglas McNeil, Production Operations Christine Miller, FCS Plant Operations Glenn Miller, Nuclear Engineering Rick Pavlik, T&D Operations Edward Schutt, T&D Operations Karen Schutt, Nuclear Assessments
15 Years Brant Dangel, T&D Operations Mark Flott, Substation Operations Kevin Lilla, Customer Service Operations Robert Ricks, FCS Plant Operations Todd Weber, FCS Plant Operations
5 Years Philip Baker, Production Operations Lee Boehm, Production Operations Stephen Duff, Facilities Management Nathan Gaskill, T&D Operations Bradley Ging, T&D Operations Wade Hatzenbuehler, Production Operations Andrew Korytowski, Substation Operations Aaron Madsen, Production Operations Donna Miner, Corporate Accounting David Steffen, Nuclear Engineering Patrice Wolf, T&D Operations
Deaths Services were held May 26 in Omaha for John F. Cox, 59, shown in a 2003 picture. John joined OPPD in 1973 as a utility man in the Underground Department and retired in 2006 as a working line crew leader at the Elkhorn Center. John is survived by his wife, DeeDee; daughters and sons-in-law, Kristy and Brian Hromas, Dana and Doug McMullen; grandson, Cameron McMullen; in-laws, Art and Sam Claussen, Ron and Cathy Claussen, Ken and Rocky (Claussen) Lamb; nieces; nephews; mother, Norene; and sisters, Sandy and Sharon. Services were held May 21 in Omaha for Gerald T. “Jerry” Matza, 67, shown in a 1997 photo. Jerry joined OPPD in 1961 in the Meter Reading Department and retired in 1997 as a corporate systems specialist in Information Technology. Jerry is survived by his wife, Jean; mother, Hazel Matza; aunt, Marie Jones; children, Teri (John) Brooks and Tim (Bette) Matza; grandsons, Justin, Jacob Brooks, Tyler and Tanner Matza. Services were held May 13 in Omaha for Jack D. Quackenbush, 58, shown in a 2006 photo. Jack joined OPPD in 1971 as a mail clerk in Mail Services and retired in 2006 as an environmental coordinator in Production Engineering & Technical Support. Jack was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Quackenbush, and nephew, Matthew Schmill. He is survived by his wife, Julie; children Erin (Jason) Humlicek and Steve Quackenbush; father, Thomas Quackenbush, OPPD retiree; sister; Lynn (Bob) Schmill; grandchildren, Ella, Ian and Maya; niece, Jenae Schmill; mother-in-law, Marjorie Soseman; many other nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends.
July/August 2010 Flash 23
People June Retirements Susan G. Badberg, administrative clerk in Projects & Construction, Production Engineering & Technical Support, retired June 1 with 19 years of service. Sue joined OPPD in 1990 as an administrative clerk in Production Operations. M. “Cathy” Bodammer, manager – Corporate Secretarial, Executive, retired June 1 with 38 years of service. Cathy joined OPPD in 1972 as a stenographer at North Omaha in Production Operations. Richard P. Clemens, division manager – Special Projects, retired June 1 with 28 years of service. Rich joined OPPD in 1981 as an engineer in the Engineering Division. Roy T. Craven, senior line crew leader – Papillion Center, T&D Operations, retired June 1 with 37 years of service. Roy joined OPPD in 1973 as a junior line crew leader. Thomas G. Gilmore, working line crew leader – Elkhorn Center, T&D Operations, retired June 1 with 41 years of service. Tom joined OPPD in 1968 as a utility man in Transmission & Distribution at the Irvington Center.
24 Flash July/August 2010
Steven L. Gregory, meter technician – Distribution Services, T&D Operations, retired June 1 with 30 years of service. Steve joined OPPD in 1979 as a utility worker in Electric Operations.
Lucinda J. Thomas, micrographics technician – Business Application Delivery, Information Technology, retired June 1 with 27 years of service. Cindy joined OPPD in 1983 as a junior clerk in Records Management.
Terry D. Johnson, manager – project management, Facilities Management, retired June 1 with 35 years of service. Terry joined OPPD in 1975 as a junior engineer in Project Administration.
David M. Wise, scheduling coordinator – Work Management, FCS Plant Operations, retired June 1 with 20 years of service. Dave joined OPPD in 1989 as a nuclear safety review specialist in the QEA Division.
Ruth E. McKay, administrative clerk – Nuclear Administrative Services, Nuclear Performance Improvement & Support, retired June 1 with 25 years of service. Ruth joined OPPD in 1985 as a junior clerk in Nuclear Production. Marcus W. Nichols, division manager – Sustainable Energy & Environmental Stewardship, retired June 1 with 36 years of service. Marc joined OPPD in 1973 as an engineer in the Engineering Division. Lorees B. Tadros, manager – Transmission Services, T&D Operations, retired June 1 with 30 years of service. Lorees joined OPPD in 1979 as an engineer in System Planning.
Peter J. Donaldson, senior quality control inspector, Quality Assurance & Quality Control, retired June 1 with 20 years of service. Pete joined OPPD in 1989 as a quality control inspector in the QEA Division. Larry R. Jones, troubleshooter – Syracuse Center, T&D Operations, retired June 1 with 22 years of service. Larry joined OPPD in 1988 as a journeyman lineman in Electric Operations.
July Retirements David L. Sloderbeck, senior production planner – Work Management, FCS Plant Operations, retired July 1 with 34 years of service. Dave joined OPPD in 1976 as a senior production planner – FC Maintenance, Nuclear Operations. Dean E. Ross, nuclear communications specialist, Nuclear Site Operations, retired July 1 with 21 years of service. Dean joined OPPD in 1988 as an instructional technologist in Production Engineering.
Sympathies Jeremy Leech, Syracuse Center, for the death of his grandfather. Jason Esser, Economic Development, for the death of his father, Sandy Esser. Kathy Perdue, Nuclear Administrative Services, for the death of her grandmother, Lyla Krezer-Forsyth on April 26. Heather and Scott Hadfield, Omaha Center, for the death of Scott’s grandmother, Ivadell Forristall, 92, of Oakland, Iowa. Doug Madison, Substation and System Protection Department, for the death of his father-in-law. Judy and Doug Short, Elkhorn Center, for the death of Judy’s mother. Gary Martin, Distribution Services – Elkhorn Center, for the death of his father. Carey and Mike Jensen, Distribution Services – Elkhorn Center, for the death of Carey’s father. Dee Dee Cox for the death of her husband, retiree John Cox. Claudio Huang, Engineering Programs, for the death of his mother. Tatjana and John Sutej, Distribution Services – Elkhorn Center, for the death of John’s mother.
Shawn and Bob Paskevic, Distribution Services – Elkhorn Center, for the death of Shawn’s grandmother. Lynn and Jim Wright, Omaha Center, for the death of Lynn’s grandmother, Dorothy Allard, on May 24. Beth and Jeff Craig, Omaha Center, for the death of Jeff’s grandmother. Joel Haskins, Engineering, for the death of his mother-in-law, Betty Winchell, who passed away on April 23. Nancy and Dave Babe, Omaha Center, for the death of Dave’s mother, Pearl Babe, on June 1. Dennis Vanek, retired, for the death of his wife, Marge. MaryBeth and John Brandeau, Nuclear Engineering, for the death of John’s father, who passed away on June 15. Valerie and John Drahota, Nuclear Engineering, for the death of Valerie’s mother. Brice Lefler, T&D Operations, Humboldt, on the death of his father. Cassie and Phil Baker, Production Operations, for the death of Cassie’s father, Ed, on June 6.
Retiree Club News High Voltage Club
El-Po-Co
It was an honor to have OPPD Board Member Del Weber as guest speaker at our May meeting. He discussed the many challenges that OPPD faces in the future… During May and June, the club welcomed Jane and Jeff Hix and Kathy and Gene Parrish as new members… Chris and Raymond Nabb have been busy traveling. They spent a week in Williamsburg, Va., and Atlantic City and topped it all by enjoying a two-week Alaskan cruise… Robert Simmonds’ granddaughter, Cassidy Simmonds, was inducted into the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis on July 1. Her older brother, Holden, is a second-year cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs… Congratulations to Chris Walker, the son of Al and Lynne Sledge, on his marriage to Samantha Edmisten on June 5. In attendance were their son Ryan, sister, Terri Hartley, and her husband, Shawn, and their children, Tristan and Emma. Lynne and Al feel so blessed for a wonderful family… Mary and Frank Johnson are the proud owners of a 2010 Dodge Avenger. They are now busy gathering travel brochures and maps… In April, Kathy and Reinhard Lindner made a two-week road trip to Reno for the USBC Bowling Tournament. They also spent time in Yosemite and Death Valley before heading to Las Vegas. The road home took them through Colorado and the beautiful Rocky Mountains… Georgia Kellberg traveled to Colorado Springs to attend her granddaughter Elizabeth Ann’s graduation from Colorado State University… Mick Wickham heard the call for enjoyment and relaxation from her lodging down at the Lake of the Ozarks… JoAnn and Bob Adamson are honored to have three grandchildren graduate this spring: Anne Adamson from North Central College, Naperville, Ill., with All American Academics, Jesse Adamson from Cadillac High School, Cadillac, Mich., with the Presidential Award and Becky Adamson from Elkhorn High School… Retirees, consider visiting or joining this group. Information can be obtained by calling Dick Liebentritt at 333-6742 or Ron Mortensen at 895-4692. The club meets on the third Tuesday of the month. - Sharon Dickman
Congratulations to recent retirees: Igor Cherko, Jeff Hix, Mark Johnson, Frank Kovar, Mike Michalski, Joe Minardi, Mark Naslund, Gene Parrish, Rick Short, Calvin Webster, John Wright, Steve Gregory, Terry Johnson and Marc Nichols. The summer outing is Thursday, July 8, at the Bellevue Berry Farm. After that, it's the most popular grill-your-own-steak outing at Vennelyst Park on Sept. 11. We hope to see you at both events. - Chris Norris
July/August 2010 Flash 25
PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID OMAHA NE PERMIT NO. 97
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Employees Star in New TV Commercials Seven employees can now add another line to their resumes – television and radio talent. That’s because Corporate Communications tapped them to appear in television and radio commercials to address their areas of expertise. The low-cost 15-second spots are designed to drive customers to oppd.com, where additional information is available. Spots feature the following employees: Outage-reporting, Line Technician Scott Kuhl of T&D Operations and Shenisa Clark of Customer Service Operations. Spring weatherization, Product Marketing Specialist Renee Jacobsen of Customer Service Operations. Electric safety, Working Line Crew Leader Rod Smith of T&D Operations and Mike Cavanaugh of Safety & Technical Training. Tree-planting, Utility Foresters Chris Vrtiska and Mike Norris of T&D Operations. OPPD also produced webisodes for oppd.com.
Cl k i ffrom top, RRodd SSmith Clockwise i h watches h the film crew prepare; Scott Kuhl awaits filming, as do Shenisa Clark and Mike Norris; Renee Jacobsen gets makeup before being filmed.