Taps & Jets, Volume 91, No. 3

TAPS & JETS Vol. 91 No. 3

A publication for current and retired employees of the Metropolitan Utilities District

Photo printed with permission from the Omaha World-Herald

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

pg. 2 pg. 3 pg. 4 pg. 5

Duane Tunnyhill HQ Renovation Update Fundraising Drive Pushed Back COVID-19 & District Operations

pg. 6 pg. 7 pg. 8 pg. 16

Florence Capital Improvements Pipe Bursting Projects Service Dinner Postponed Graduate Recognition

ON THE COVER: DUANE TUNNYHILL When Duane Tunnyhill turned 17 in January 1943, he knew exactly what he wanted for his birthday: to enlist in the Marine Corps and go fight in the Pacific. After almost a year of pleading, his parents finally relented and signed the papers just before he turned 18. Before he knew it, he was shipped off to Hawaii and told he was being sent to the island of Iwo Jima.

itch every so often and it would be a piece falling out.” He was awarded the Purple Heart for the wounds he sustained.

This heavily fortified island became the site of the most famous battle in the Pacific of World War II. Duane came ashore with the 3rd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment at Green Beach, and what he found was danger around every corner.

There was no cover anywhere on the island from the relentless artillery barrages and the volcanic soil was either too hard to dig or too soft to use as cover.

When he returned home to Omaha, he spent a little time relaxing and enjoying some beers. “There wasn’t much going on,” he said. “Most [veterans] only worked one-to-two days a week because there wasn’t much room for them.” Eventually in the fall of 1946, the father of a guy he enlisted with got him a job at M.U.D. “You really had to know somebody to get a job at M.U.D.”

Duane amazingly survived more than two months on Iwo Jima, but he did not leave unscathed.

An ill-advised attack left him in a field hospital for 10 days with shrapnel wounds to his legs from a hand grenade. “The doctor decided not to remove the pieces from my leg because I would have bled to death before they got them all out,” Duane said. “He [the doctor] said they would work their way out on their own. When I was back home, I would feel my leg

TAPS & JETS VOL. 91 | No. 3 Fall 2020

his wife. Two years later, they married. “She was a motivator for me,” Duane said. “She found an article in the Omaha WorldHerald about a 5th Division reunion in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1973. She motivated me to go and I have only missed one from 1973 to this year.” Margaret passed away in 2009. Duane turned 94 this past January.

On March 26, 1945, the Marines returned to Hawaii to prepare for the invasion of Japan. However, the dropping of the atomic bombs in August cut those plans short and Japan eventually surrendered. Duane stayed in the Marines until June 1946.

He started out digging ditches, but in the winter of 1946 construction season phased out. Fortunately, the District was looking for 20 people to move into Field Services because they were making the switch from manufactured gas to natural gas. Duane was picked to join the team and trained from January through April to make the conversion.

During this time, he also met his wife, Margaret, on a blind double-date with a friend and

After finishing with conversion work in 1947, Duane worked as a mechanic and then a foreman in Field Services before advancing to supervisor, Meter Services, in 1976. He remained in that position for 12 years and retired in 1988 with 41 years of service.

“The whole 41 years were great,” he said. “Lots of longtime friends at M.U.D.” One of those friends, Robert (Bob) Bell, was also a Marine and the two became very close over the years. Bob was the general manager (president) of the District from 1972 to 1987.

“If you were a Marine, you were special with [him].” One year, Duane went to a Marine reunion in Washington, D.C., and brought back a few small Marine flags. As a joke, he put a flag in a District envelope and had someone else address it to Bob. A few days later, Duane received a call from Bob asking if he had any more of those flags. Duane, of course, told him he didn’t know what he

was talking about. According to Duane, Bob replied, “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

So Duane sent him a couple more and one stayed on his desk until the day he retired.

Duane’s relationship with Bob directly influenced how he treated his employees during his time at the District. “Duane was a believer in many of us men and women in the 1980s,” said Gas Distribution Director Jim Bewley, a former employee of Duane.

Jim told the story of his first day on his own in Meter Services. He was handed three rings of keys and each ring held between 20 and 30 keys. Upon seeing them, Jim began to feel overwhelmed.

He wanted to be off on time because he had tickets to a concert in Kansas City that evening. Duane knew this, but he also knew Jim would get it all done. Sure enough, Jim read all the meters he was assigned and finished the day on time. Upon returning to the office, Duane said to him, “Great job kid, that was a test. You now are a fulltime temporary meter reader.”

“Duane was a great boss. He wanted everyone to succeed,” Jim said. “It was never about Duane; it was about developing employees. He knew who he could count on to get the work done and every employee respected him as a supervisor.”

TAPS & JETS is published quarterly for current and retired employees to inform them about the activities and accomplishments of the District’s employees. Your comments are welcome.

Please send comments and suggestions to: TAPS & JETS, Metropolitan Utilities District, 7350 World Communications Dr., Omaha, NE 68122 OR Jessica Heidebrecht: jessica_heidebrecht@mudnebr.com | 402.504.7204.

Board of Directors: Chair Gwen Howard, Vice-Chair Tanya Cook, Jim Begley, Tim Cavanaugh, David Friend, Jack Frost and Mike McGowan.

President: Mark Doyle |

Produced and published by Corporate Communications

Facebook: /mudomahane | Twitter: @mudomahane | Instagram: @mudwaterontap

2

VETERANS WHO ARE ACTIVE EMPLOYEES 30

TOTAL: 66

25 20

27

15 10 5

ARMY

15

13

11

NAVY

AIR FORCE

MARINES

NEW HEADQUARTERS ON SCHEDULE FOR OCCUPANCY Employees who relocated from downtown to the new headquarters nearly one year ago might not recognize the inside of 7350 World Communications Drive today.

The first floor, where more than 130 employees “officed” from six-foot tables in open rooms, is now home to the District’s board room, executive offices, Law Department and Systems Control. Renovations for the first floor are scheduled to be completed in early December.

TAPS & JETS | VOL. 91, NO. 3 | FALL 2020

On floors two and three, which were off-limits to employees, installation of workstations is being finalized, with completion scheduled for the end of October.

More than 20 semi-trucks delivered furniture over the past several weeks, including the office and workstation components, as well as lounge and break area furniture.

Jon Zellars, vice-president of Procurement and Enterprise Services, is overseeing all

work associated with the headquarters. At the October 1 board meeting, he said, “The headquarters is coming along great. We are on schedule and ahead of budget.” The plan is to host the January 7, 2021, board meeting in the District’s new board room.

As the project nears completion, plans for reoccupying the building are being discussed by management. Jon said, “We are still managing a pandemic,

so re-occupancy is going to be methodical, but we have options. We remain diligent in keeping the impact of the pandemic top of mind when making these decisions.”

Landscaping and roof restoration are slated to be completed in 2021. Jon added, “This building is something we should all be very proud of.”

3

ANNUAL FUNDRAISING DRIVE PUSHED TO NOVEMBER As plans are being finalized, it’s apparent things will look very different for this fall’s fundraising drive, formerly known as the United Way Drive. In past years, employees have expressed an interest in donating to the District’s utility assistance program in lieu of – or in addition to – the United Way. In response to that feedback, this year we are hosting a fundraising drive for both efforts simultaneously.

Now called the Community Giving Drive, employees have the option to donate to the United Way of the Midlands (or their designated agency within the United Way’s network), and/or to the District’s utility assistance program, the Home Fund.

Megan Murray, Corporate Communications, is serving as chairperson for this year’s drive. She said, “By adding the Home Fund to our fundraising efforts, we are excited to have the opportunity to raise money for our community in a greater capacity this year. The need is greater than ever due to the impacts of the coronavirus, so it’s time for us to step up and help our neighbors and friends.”

Kick-off is scheduled for November 2 and will run for two weeks. More information will be shared via email and posted to the employee intranet, myMUDConnect.

Pledge cards will be mailed to retirees.

As a way to reduce contact and adhere to the District’s social distancing

policy, we are encouraging employee pledges to be made online this year.

Similar to past years, prize drawings will be held for those who donate. Gift cards, Apple watches and vacation are among the prizes to be given away.

Over the past five years, employees and retirees have donated more than half a million dollars to the United Way. Megan said, “While we acknowledge giving might be down this year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, we are optimistic our employees and retirees will continue to offer their high level of support.”

OPEN ENROLLMENT BEGINS OCTOBER 26 The District’s annual open enrollment period begins October 26 and runs through November 25. This is your opportunity to make changes to your benefit elections for the 2021 plan year.

Informational packets have been sent to all employees at home. Completed forms can be dropped off at the Human Resources office, or you can scan and email your forms to Benefits_Help@mudnebr.com.

Due to the coronavirus, things look a little different this year. Katie Pulte, manager, compensation and benefits, said, “We are unable to host the Benefits Fair this year due to the pandemic. Instead, we are hosting virtual sessions that will feature some of our vendors, as well as information about benefits changes for 2021. We’re trying to make things as easy as possible for our employees.”

Benefits and open enrollment questions can be directed to: Katie Pulte Email: katie_pulte@mudnebr.com Phone: 402.504.7881 Stefan Medel Email: stefan_medel@mudnebr.com Phone: 402.504.7888

VIRTUAL OPEN ENROLLMENT PRESENTATION SERIES Ameritas

October 28

11 A.M.–12 P.M.

M.U.D.

November 4

7–7:30 A.M.

Mutual of Omaha

November 4

11 A.M.–12 P.M.

M.U.D.

November 4

5–5:30 P.M.

M.U.D.

November 5

7:30–8 A.M.

PayFlex

November 11

11 A.M.–12 P.M.

M.U.D.

November 12

9:30–10 A.M.

M.U.D.

November 12

1–1:30 P.M.

Allstate

November 28

11 A.M.–12 P.M.

*Additional webinars to discuss open enrollment changes will follow.

Registration information will be sent via District email and posted to myMUDConnect, which is accessible from the Okta dashboard.

4

THE THREE Ws 6ft

WEAR YOUR MASK

WASH YOUR HANDS

WATCH YOUR DISTANCE

CORONAVIRUS CONTINUES TO IMPACT DISTRICT OPERATIONS Over the past several months, the District continued its proactive response to the coronavirus pandemic impacting the world. Since the previous issue of Taps & Jets in July, the following updates have occurred: • Human Resources announced the District’s first employee tested positive for COVID-19 in June. Management responded to the news by reassuring employees they were prepared for the situation, protocols were in place and response mechanisms were ready to deploy. Since then, nearly 20 percent of employees have undergone testing.

• The District resumed collections for late payment charges.

• In an emergency approval, the Douglas County Board allocated $2 million in CARES Act funding for use among our customers in need in Douglas County.

TAPS & JETS | VOL. 91, NO. 3 | FALL 2020

Additionally, $500,000 was made available for residents outside of Douglas County.

• A task force was created to address hundreds of comments and suggestions received from employee surveys. As a result of the task force, the following recommendations were made: - Create an inventory of personal protective equipment (PPE) available for employees and post a dashboard on the employee intranet, myMUDConnect.

- Human Resources will work with vice-presidents to develop a future work from home policy.

- Increase the amount of vacation carryover employees are allowed to take from 200 to 240 hours, for this year only.

- Decrease daily COVIDrelated emails to reduce communication fatigue.

• Field employees participated in focus groups, which gave them the opportunity to share what they feel is working as a result of changes at the District and give insight as to what could be improved upon.

• Evaluation of the door tagging process was conducted, resulting in a shift to make door tags as low-touch as possible.

For example, wire hanger door tags or doorknob hangers have transitioned to sticky tags.

• Phase one for service disconnections for non-payment resumed October 5. As part of this phase, technicians began disconnections for customers who owed a balance of $900 or greater. Approximately 650 accounts meet that criteria, including both residential and commercial customers.

Through all of these changes and adjustments, employee safety remains top-of-mind for the District. Management continues to address the crisis, update policies and mandates and monitor supplies to ensure proper PPE is available to employees.

President Mark Doyle urges employees to continue practicing the 3 Ws: wear a mask, wash your hands and watch your distance.

Since March, the management team has expressed its gratitude for every employees’ dedication to the District. In his October 2 all-employee email, Mark said, “We are all in this together, and I thank you for your continued support as we navigate the nuances of this unprecedented time in our lives.”

5

PROGRESS CONTINUES AS PART OF THE FLORENCE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN With renovation of the Chemical Building completed in late 2019, the Florence Capital Improvement Plan is shifting to the rehabilitation of several other sites at the District’s oldest water treatment plant.

the basin are also being replaced. That process started with a special dive team in the summer of 2020 inspecting and measuring the gates so the new ones could be specially ordered and delivered this fall.

It has been a busy year for staff and contractors with simultaneous projects happening in the No. 2, 22-milliongallon settling basin and at the low service facility just across the road on the bank of the powerful Missouri River. The work is so involved that in October the plant was shut down.

Just across the road from the plant’s main entrance is the true start of the water treatment plant — the low service infrastructure that helps pump water from the Missouri River into the M.U.D. facility. The main pump house has undergone a complete electrical system replacement as well as architectural, mechanical and instrumentation improvements. “Crews abated lead-based paint and updated coatings, increased ventilation to help cool motors during summer operations, rebuilt the valve actuators and replaced valves,” said Mike.

The work to rehab basin No. 2 is like the work that happened in basin No. 1 in the fall of 2019. The structure was drained and will receive an overhaul, including a complete power wash, hydro demolition of the exterior perimeter concrete and new concrete laid to ensure its stability for the foreseeable future. Mike Koenig, director, Water Production and Pumping, says the last time this type of work was done was in the late 1970s and early 1980s. “Basin 2 improvements will help prevent leakage.

The structural improvements will make sure it holds water for the next 25 years.”

In addition to the concrete and other maintenance work, the seven gates around

6

Extensive work has also been happening just outside the low-service building, 30 feet below ground with massive valves more than 25 yards from the river’s flow. With the help of a zero-radius excavator and a large crane, the District’s construction crew lead

by Forrest Roos painstakingly worked to remove the original valves, one of which was installed in the 1930s. Mike stresses that this feat of engineering cannot be overstated.

“Without these elements there would be

no way to get the source water into the treatment plant. The valve improvements and the replacements ensure that in the event of a planned or unplanned outage we can isolate the pump and still leave the plant in service while repairs or maintenance happens throughout the facility.”

As the latest projects wind down there is much more work ahead at the Florence plant. Basin projects will eventually shift to No. 3, which is the chlorine contact basin.

That will happen in the fall of 2021 and will include the same concrete, structural and gate replacements as basins 1 and 2.

Significant changes will eventually happen at the main plant entrance with piping and valve replacements planned between the finished water clear well and the Minne Lusa Pump Station. “This is where the water that’s ready for people to use enters our distribution system, so this is important work to keep the plant in great working order for generations to come.” Mike says the $15 million project will enter the design phase later this winter and construction could begin in the late summer or early fall of 2021. That project is expected to go through the end of 2022.

PIPE BURSTING PROJECT SHOWS PROMISE Typically, when we talk about pipes bursting across the District there are alerts sent out and crews rushing to fix them. Now envision a M.U.D. crew breaking through old pipes on purpose.

This past summer, engineers and select crews worked in one section of Omaha on a pilot project dedicated to ‘pipe bursting.’ It is a process that has been studied by M.U.D. engineers. A team traveled to Kansas City in July to see it play out, all before completing the District’s first project in August.

Infrastructure Engineer Jared Svagera was the project manager for the pipe bursting pilot project. He said the trial could help make swapping out areas of aging infrastructure easier across parts of Omaha.

“The crew uses a large hydraulic ram to push metal rods from one excavation point to the other, where they hook on the new water main. Then they pull it back through the old water main at the same time, breaking the old cast iron pipe and pushing it into the

surrounding soil while putting the new water main in its place.”

Svagera said the PVC piping and the pipe bursting technique works well with longer sections of pipe that have little horizontal or vertical deflection.

Our engineers are now looking at using pipe bursting in other test locations in more densely populated, paved areas before making any final decisions about future, widespread use.

Svagera said they were pleased with how the first trial for pipe

bursting went, citing the benefits to communities where it makes sense. “The big advantages are that your rehabilitation costs are lower. You are causing less damage. With an open cut water main replacement, you’re digging a trench down the entire street, breaking out paving and potentially sidewalks. This will really help to cut that impact down and reduce the traffic and social impact on the area.”

STATE OF THE DISTRICT PRESENTATION President Mark Doyle delivers the annual State of the District at the September 3 board meeting. The presentation provides a high-level overview of the previous years’ accomplishments and achievements, and is mandated in the board’s by-laws to be given each year by the end of the second quarter. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, board meetings were hosted virtually and the board agreed to delay the presentation until it could be done at an in-person board meeting.

A video from Mark will be shared with employees in late October.

Watch your email or visit myMUDConnect, via the Okta dashboard, for more information.

TAPS & JETS | VOL. 91, NO. 3 | FALL 2020

7

Hello Neighbor! M.U.D. is excited to be on Nextdoor! Watch for project updates, service announcements and the news that matters most to you and your neighborhood.

Click HERE to learn more.

SERVICE RECOGNITION DINNER POSTPONED TO 2021 One hundred and two employees who were eligible to celebrate their service anniversaries at this year’s annual Service Recognition Dinner will have to wait one more year. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s dinner was postponed until 2021.

Employees commemorating 15 to 60 years of service with the District include: 60 YEARS OF SERVICE Don Noonan, Contractor Services 40 YEARS OF SERVICE Jerry Barrett, Field Services Brad Kilgarin, Maintenance Marian Feltes, Water Quality Matt Radik, Maintenance* Phil Watts, Field Services Scott Winkler, Gas Production 35 YEARS OF SERVICE John Barna, Field Services Mike Conrad, Law Department Jeff Good, Safety and Security Kathy Hansen, Customer Accounting* Chuck Jacobsen, Gas Production Ron Jankowski, Safety and Security Brian Leahy, Gas Production Ron Mikulicz, Gas Production Bob Nieto, Water Pumping Kevin Paasch, Construction Kevin Tobin, Platte West Plant 30 YEARS OF SERVICE Walt Anton, Construction Greg Beam, Field Services Dave Bolamperti, Transportation Willie Carrera, Gas Distribution Nick Churchich, Field Services Ron Diaz, Field Services Chris Fox, Water Quality *Indicates the employee is retired.

8

Jim Knight, Gas Operations Sherri Meisinger, Procurement Laura Milenkovich, Dispatch Office Cindy Miranda, Customer Accounting Debbie Mitchell, Customer Accounting Stephanie Mueller, Corporate Communications Cliff Novy, Maintenance* Greg Oliva, Construction Andy Randall, Plant Engineering Valerie Tibke, Contractor Services Reina Walls, Customer Service Doug Whitfield, Platte South Plant Bob Wozny, Engineering Design* 25 YEARS OF SERVICE Cindy Bacon, Marketing Deb Baker, Information Technology Joey Blecha, Platte West Plant Liz DeLeon, Customer Accounting Dave Divoky, Field Services Jack Griffey, Construction Jim Lindley, Construction Katie Matejka, Meter Services Brian Perrigo, Field Services Gary Wilwerding, Maintenance 20 YEARS OF SERVICE

Randy Bird, Construction Pattie Cannon, Customer Accounting Priscilla Cardenas, Customer Accounting Cole Carpenter, Gas Distribution Virgil Craig, Platte West Plant Al Dominguez, Field Services Deric Ewer, Construction Leo Garcia, Meter Services Steve Glup, Gas Distribution Joe Guyott, Field Services Suzanne Hanus, Meter Services Dave Jacobsen, Systems Control Jeremy Jones, Field Services Tony Kucera, Water Distribution

Eddie Latoza, Construction Joleen Liddell, Meter Services Frank Mangano, Water Pumping* Steve Meinders, Field Services Tim Mixan, Plant Engineering John Nanfito, Transportation Masa Niiya, Infrastructure Integrity Bob Nielsen, Construction Greg Ramirez, Construction Mike Sapienza, Transportation* Mike Schroeder, Construction Laura Shaffar, Dispatch Office Deanna Smejkal, Accounting Scott Spurgeon, Water Distribution Todd Templeton, Water Pumping 15 YEARS OF SERVICE Doug Asche, Maintenance Scott Clark, Construction Ebony Craine, Customer Accounting Joe Detwiler, Maintenance Patti Duckworth, Human Resources Sean Guinzy, Information Technology Kurt Hulsing, Water Pumping Patrick Hurt, Meter Services Dan Iliff, Infrastructure Integrity Matt Ingram, Maintenance Darrell James, Field Services Mike Kerres, Field Services Lora Monjarez, Dispatch Office Sharon Novak, Customer Accounting Esmeralda Ocana, Customer Accounting Geneva Patterson, Marketing and Rates Dennis Rinkol, Engineering Design Cheryl Rippe, Accounting Steffanie Sorensen, Branch Delivery Danita Stanfield, Dispatch Office Jo Stephens, Accounting Mike Teti, Water Distribution Dawnielle Turner, Customer Service Veronica Walker, Corporate Communications

Reservations Accepted for the Children’s Holiday "Drive-thru" Party Sunday, December 6 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Nebraska Electrical Workers' Building 13306 Stevens St. Employees' dependent children

(12 and under)

Children receive a gift | Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus* Socially distanced event. Attendees remain in vehicles. *One photo included, weather permitting

RESERVATION DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 AT 4 P.M. Dependent children of union members, non-union and SPA employees may attend for FREE. If you want to bring a child (12 or under) who is not a dependent, there is a $15 per child fee, payable at the entrance.

Email form to Teri Crowell at teri_crowell@mudnebr.com or Laura Shaffar at laura_shaffar@mudnebr.com.

Or, take a picture of the form and text to 402.618.0442 or 402.659.1490.

Deadline: Friday, October 30 at 4 p.m.

Employee Name

Employee Number By signing this, I understand if I register for the party and do not attend, the District will deduct $15 per child through payroll deduction.

Employee Signature Child’s Name

TAPS & JETS | VOL. 91, NO. 3 | FALL 2020

Boy/Girl

Age (12 or under)

Dependent (Yes or No)

9

PROMOTIONS & TRANSFERS

Richard Baird

Randy Bird

Ernie Bless

Ann Boesen

Jeff Carman

Ken Clifford

Deanna Craigmiles

Crew Leader

Utilization Engineer

Manager, Employment

Material Handler

Foreman

Administrative Clerk II

Brian Foral

Nick Foreman

Pipe Layer

Water Plant Operator

Pipe Layer

Ron Henderson

Kevin Hensel

Everett Horton

Joe Hubenka

Water Plant Maintenance Mechanic

Pipe Layer

Industrial Water Meter Mechanic

Engineering Design

Construction

Nick Crampton

Thomas Dillon

Crew Leader

Senior Engineering Technician-Main Extension Coordinator

Construction

Platte West Plant

Connice Kelly

Customer Accounting Administrative Clerk III

10

Construction

Construction

Kyle Krause

Infrastructure Integrity Infrastructure Engineer

Marketing

Platte West Plant

Human Resources

Construction

Maintenance

Stores

Construction

Dispatch Office

Kevin Goldman

Chris Griesman

Water Maintenance Trainee

Chemist II

Instrument Technician

Sarah Jones

Ronnie Kates

Design Engineer

Pipe Layer

Water Operations

Kurt Hulsing

Water Quality

Joe Heim

Gas Operations

Maintenance Mechanic I

Water Operations

Chemical Equipment Mechanic I

Engineering Design

Jeff Kuhn

Tim Lincoln

Jeff Loschen

Zach Markham

Zach McDonnell

Gas Plant Operator

Pipe Layer

Maintenance Mechanic Trainee

Pipe Layer

Crew Leader

Meter Services

Gas Operations

Construction

Maintenance

Construction

Construction

Construction

Sherri Meisinger

Tim Mixan

Shane Moultroup

Field Engineer II

Meter Mechanic

Procurement and Enterprise Services

Plant Engineering

Ryan Stanek

Tyler Vaca-Keller

Pipe Layer

Pipe Layer

Director, Procurement

Construction

Construction

Meter Services

Tim Owens

Todd Pignotti

Senior Compliance Engineer

Night Foreman

Engineering Design

Transportation

Katie Pulte

Joseph Rachwalik

Manager, Compensation and Benefits

Pipe Layer

Human Resources

Construction

Matt Walag

Gas Operations

Gas Plant Operator

NEW EMPLOYEES

Jarred Anderson

John Bartunek

Instrument & Control Technician

Water Plant Engineer

Chad Johnson

Guenevere Klug

Water Plant Engineer

Water Analyst

Maintenance

Platte South Plant

Water Pumping

Water Quality

TAPS & JETS | VOL. 91, NO. 3 | FALL 2020

Nicole Belt

James Branstetter

Administrative Clerk III

CAD Technician I

Gas Production

Marc McCoy

Transportation

Transportation Specialist

Engineering Design

Daniel Patterson

Infrastructure Integrity GIS Technician I

Clard Carruth

Water Pumping

Justin Ferri

Water Pumping

Water Plant Engineer

Water Plant Engineer

David Rohde

Christopher Storm

CAD Technician I

Building Operator

Engineering Design

Maintenance

Jessica Haider

Engineering Design CAD Technician I

Daniel Uttecht

Infrastructure Integrity GIS Technician I

11

KUDOS

Jerry Anderson Field Services

Steven Bonge Construction

Deanna Craigmiles

Angelo Bravo

Plant Engineering

Lynn Crawley

Veronica Bautista Customer Service

Nick Buhr

Mike Freeman

Pete Georges

Dan Hall

Shelley Hansen

Debi Haley

Customer Service

Field Services

Field Services

Dispatch Office

Rena Bobier

Customer Service

Grant Cannon

Zaira Cepeda-Uresti

Alex Cervantes

Kayla Cleveland

Deric Ewer

Nick Foreman

Al Dominguez

Fred Foster

Paul Bertrang

Customer Service

John Davis

Field Services

Greg Beam

Construction

Customer Service

Customer Service

Field Services

Jon Bazar

Construction

Field Services

Dispatch Office

Field Services

12

Mike Ariza

Field Services

Field Services

Lois Gosch

Customer Service

Chris Ethen

Field Services

Customer Service

Construction

Customer Service

Construction

Customer Service

Customer Service

Jill Goss

Dave Graham Field Services

Field Services

Laraine Harris

Amanda Incontro

Mike Jacobson

Jeremy Jensen

Customer Service

Customer Service

Field Services

Joe Guyott

Construction

Customers recently wrote or called to praise the work performed by these employees.

Andrew Johnson

Rosemarie Jones

Joe Parr

Eliseo Perea Construction

Field Services

Greg Ramirez

Angelique Sancho

Construction

Customer Service

Construction

Mike Szymczak Field Services

Al Kurz

Customer Service

Bob Urbach

Field Services

ON-SITE MAMMOGRAMS OFFERED

Dave Peters

Tony Pirruccello

Josh Shannon

Randy Sibert

Marques Vaughn

Construction

Field Services

Rick Moreno Field Services

Field Services

Paul Otto

LaSherrie Palmer

Kim Plummer

Brandon Pokorski

McKenzie Quinn

Scott Spurgeon

Robert Stewart

Caleb Sturgeon

Customer Service

Field Services

Water Distribution

Field Services

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Customer Service

Customer Service

Field Services

402.354.8000 bestcareeap.org

Customer Service

October 30 and November 4 Operations Center (top parking lot)

TAPS & JETS | VOL. 91, NO. 3 | FALL 2020

Customer Service

Field Services

Customer Service

Ryan Lord

Field Services

Service offered at no cost for employees, spouses and retirees on the PPO and HMO-PSBC health plans.

Appointments are 20 minutes in duration and masks are required.

Social distancing strongly encouraged if others are waiting.

Reserve your spot today by calling Patti Duckworth at 402.504.8296.

Visit methodistmobile3d.com/registration to complete necessary forms needed for Methodist to obtain your previous scan.

13

RETIREMENTS

DAVE DEBOER

Dave DeBoer, senior vice-president, chief operations officer, President’s Office, plans to retire March 4, 2021, with 23 years of service.

Dave joined the District in 1997 as a utilization engineer, Marketing. He was named senior utilization engineer in 2001 and promoted to lead utilization engineer in 2004. In 2015, Dave became director, Marketing and Contractor Services, and in 2016 he was promoted to vice-president, Rates and Marketing. Dave was named senior vice-president, chief operations officers, President’s Office, in 2019.

Prior to joining the District, he was a project engineer for HDR and a senior design engineer for Omaha Public Power District. Dave received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has Professional Engineer and Certified Energy Manager certifications. Additionally, Dave was an instructor at the University of Nebraska’s Peter Kiewit Institute and is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Dave and his wife, Deb, have a son, a daughter and three granddaughters. Dave enjoys working on cars, golfing, growing hops and traveling.

Shayne Harner, utility worker, Construction, retired September 1 with 24 years of service.

Shayne joined the District as a pipe layer trainee in 1996. He was promoted to meter reader, Meter Services, in 1997. He transferred to Construction in 1999 as a pipe layer trainee and advanced to pipe layer later that year, machine operator in 2000 and utility worker in 2002.

SHAYNE HARNER Marsha Hopkins, building engineer, Maintenance, retired September 24 with 29 years of service. Marsha joined the District in 1991 as a pipe layer trainee, Construction.

She was promoted to building and grounds maintenance worker, Maintenance, in 1992.

Marsha advanced to building engineer trainee in 1994 and to building engineer in 1997.

MARSHA HOPKINS Alan Leigh, chief welder, Transportation, plans to retire December 3 with 16 years of service.

Alan joined the District as a welder in 2004.

He was promoted to chief welder in 2006.

Tom Grasso, paint and body mechanic, Transportation, retired October 10 with 22 years of service. Tom joined the District in 1998.

ALAN LEIGH

TOM GRASSO

IN MEMORIAM Susan “Susie” Gill, 60, died September 1.

She was a customer account clerk III, Customer Accounting, with nearly 17 years of service. Susie joined the District in 2003 as a customer service clerk I, Customer Service, and was promoted to customer account clerk III, Customer Accounting, in 2005.

SUSAN “SUSIE” GILL

14

Robert A. Inman, 88, died August 31. He was a senior customer service technician, Field Services, when he retired in 1994 with more than 38 years of service. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Bob joined the District in 1955 as mechanic’s helper and was promoted to junior mechanic in 1959. He advanced to senior mechanic in 1961 and to senior customer service technician in 1970.

ROBERT A. INMAN

Mark Masek, senior engineering techniciandesign, Engineering Design, plans to retire January 5, 2021, with 40 years of service. Mark joined the District as a drafting technician IV, Engineering Design, in 1981. He was promoted to drafting technician III in 1983, drafting technician II in 1988 and senior engineering technician, design, in 1989.

LISA RILEY

MARK MASEK Randy Reeves, maintenance mechanic I, Maintenance, retired September 30 with 12 years of service. Randy joined the District as a meter reader, Meter Services, in 2008.

He transferred to Maintenance in 2015 as a maintenance mechanic trainee and advanced to maintenance mechanic I in 2018.

RANDY REEVES

Lisa and her husband, Tom, have a son, a daughter and three grandsons.

In retirement, Lisa plans to spend time with her grandchildren and travel.

Randy is a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, the American Legion and the Omaha Fish and Wildlife Club. In retirement, Randy plans to travel, fish and hunt. He and his wife, Rita, have four daughters and four grandchildren.

MARK SIMPSON

Dennis Manis, 64, died July 22. He was a communications clerk II, Dispatch Office, when he retired in 2016 with 30 years of service. Dennis joined the District in 1985 as a key punch operator, Customer Service, advancing to customer service clerk I in 1987 and customer service clerk III in 1990.

He was promoted to communications clerk II, Dispatch Office, in 1993.

DENNIS MANIS

TAPS & JETS | VOL. 91, NO. 3 | FALL 2020

Lisa Riley, administrative clerk VI, Construction, retired August 18 with 39 years of service.

Lisa joined the District in 1981 as a print room operator, Engineering and Construction. She was named energy clerk, Operation Office, in 1984. In 1986 she became a meter reader, Meter Services, and in 1988 Lisa became a special laborer, Water Distribution. In 1990, Lisa was promoted to communications clerk I, Field Services, and became communications clerk II later that year. In 1999, she advanced to material handler, Stores. Lisa transferred to the Dispatch Office as a communications clerk I in 2002. She was promoted to stores clerk III, Meter Services, in 2008 and administrative clerk VI, Dispatch Office, in 2011. She transferred to Construction as administrative clerk VI in 2019.

JOHN W. MATTHEWS

Mark Simpson, night senior customer service technician, Field Services, retired August 1 with 34 years of service. Mark joined the District in 1986 as a customer service clerk I, Customer Service. He transferred to Field Services in 1991 as a customer service technician trainee and advanced to apprentice customer service technician in 1993, customer service technician in 1995 and night senior customer service technician in 2000.

Mark is president of the Missouri Sedimentation Action Coalition and he and his wife, Patricia, are EMTs. The couple has two sons and four grandchildren.

John W. Matthews, 80, died June 30. He was a project leader/analyst, Information Technology, when he retired in 2006 with seven years of service. Prior to joining the District in 1999, John worked in technical and managerial roles in a variety of industries, including construction, ocean shipping and an international airline.

He served three years in the U.S. Army and was a deputy sheriff for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department in California.

15

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!

Porter Asche Gretna High School

Catherine Begley Millard North High School

Claire Blecha Millard South High School

Samantha Bobbett Fremont High School

Dominique Cole Omaha North High School

Shane Docken Manager, Safety Bellevue University

B.S., Architectural Engineering Denise Dolezal

Luke Doyle University of Nebraska Medical Center

Rosemary Feltes University of Nebraska at Omaha

Carly Flynn Omaha Central High School

M.S., Justice Administration and Crime Management

Libby Dolezal University of Nebraska at Omaha

Jensyn Goss Duchesne Academy

Bree Greenhagen Midland University

Christian Harmon Midland University

Joshua Irwin Gretna High School

Jake Kenny University of Colorado at Boulder

Doug & Marci Asche

Jill & Jayson Goss

16

Jim & Rebecca Begley

B.A., Elementary Education (Early Childhood Endorsement) Ricardo & Angela Greenhagen

Joey & Jessica Blecha

M.S., Medical Anatomy Mark & Aldona Doyle

B.S., Business Administration (Concentration in Management and Marketing) Brenda & Charles Harmon

Stan & Dolly Bobbett

B.S., Biology Marian & Bill Feltes

Rick & Stacey Irwin

Tracey Coty & Duan Cole

Mike & Barb Flynn

M.S., Chemical Engineering Mary Mancuso & Tom Kenny

Sawyer Knight Burke High School

Jim & Jennifer Knight

Ashley Meisinger Grand Canyon University

B.S., Elementary Education Special Needs Sherri Meisinger & Perry Lightfoot

Nina Schendt Millard North High School

Mark Schendt & Jenifer Ebert

TAPS & JETS | VOL. 91, NO. 3 | FALL 2020

Anna Koehler Platteview High School Chad & Kendra Koehler

Bret O’Doherty ERP Technical/Functional Analyst II Creighton University M.B.A.

Ciera Traylor Northwest High School

Ja’Nelle & Damarlon Traylor

Hannah Lambert University of Nebraska at Omaha

Daniel Latka Papillion-La Vista High School Mike & Tisha Latka

Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering Steven & Linda Meinders

Noah Oswald Midland University

Madison Pavka Northwest High School

Abigail Rinkol Mercy High School

B.M.S., Geography Todd & Diana Lambert

B.S., Biology Mark Oswald

Justin & Amy Pavka

Robert Meinders Missouri S&T

Dennis & Katie Rinkol

Shayla Virgilito

Papillion-La Vista High School Tara & Jim Virgilito

17

JOIN US IN

FREE ADMISSION FOR M.U.D. EMPLOYEES

Dec HOURS

th 11

9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. DAILY

th 13

You’re invited to enjoy the holiday season at Lauritzen Gardens! M.U.D. employees and their immediate family members (spouses, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings) are invited to enjoy free admission (from December 11 through 13) to Merry & Bright, the garden’s annual holiday show.

Experience thousands of poinsettias, model garden trains, festive horticulture displays, and the M.U.D. Family Chill Zone!

TO RESERVE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS: Visit lauritzengardens.org, click the BUY TICKETS button and use the promotional code GARDENMUD during checkout.

The M.U.D. employee must accompany their family and present their badge at the front desk.

For more details, visit: 100 BANCROFT STREET, OMAHA