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Vice President, Engineering
About the CompanyIn December 1938, a group of leaders in the rural Disputanta area of Virginia acted on a vision of improved quality of life for residents in the rural areas of the state: that they should have access to electric power, just like people in the cities. Consequently, Prince George Electric Cooperative was issued a charter by the State Corporation Commission on January 1, 1939. Rural Electrification Act (REA) lines were electrified in August 1940 to serve about 300 customers over 165 miles of power lines in the rural areas of Prince George and Sussex counties. It was the first time houses, many that had been wired for months, were able to offer the comforts of an automatic overhead light and running water. Rural residents of Surry County requested that power lines be built to serve them also.
The first Cooperative office was in an old store in Disputanta in Prince George County—hence the name Prince George Electric Cooperative. In 1946, the office moved to a store in Waverly, where offices and a warehouse were built at its current location on Highway 460 in 1951. That site was renovated and expanded in 2004. Later, a second customer service office opened in Prince George County, near the courthouse, to better serve members in that area.
The Cooperative has grown from that vision and now serves over 12,000 meters along 1,300 miles of power lines in six counties. Their members include residences, small and large businesses, large load commercial and industrial accounts, and agriculture as well as public schools and churches.
Fiber to the Home Pilot Program
In the cooperative spirit of serving the rural areas with electricity in the 1930s, Prince George Electric Cooperative is delivering on providing a high-speed internet solution to the underserved rural communities Prince George, Sussex and Surry Counties. PGEC Enterprises, LLC identified a true need in the community and building the solution to the void has transformed the Cooperative business model of delivering reliable electricity to include delivering reliable, low-cost internet service to the rural community.
Providing high-speed internet to rural communities enhances educational opportunities and fosters workforce development which supports economic growth, including
home-based businesses. The availability of a secure, reliable and competitively priced internet solution is essential in meeting community needs. In many of the rural areas of PGEC’s service territory, internet service is either not available, unaffordable or not reliable.
Prince George Electric Cooperative’s wholly owned and operated subsidiary PGEC Enterprises, LLC developed a broadband pilot program and began connecting homes along West Quaker Road in Prince George County in February 2017. This pilot consisted of 49 service locations and would provide the insight for further expansion.
In partnership with Prince George County, the county’s Industrial Development Authority awarded PGEC Enterprises, LLC a $1,000,000 inducement grant in June 2017. This grant was to assist with the further development of high-speed access to underserved areas of the county.
6.
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members
most effectively and stregnthen the cooperative movement by working together through the local, national, regional, and
international structures.
Seven Cooperative Principles
3.
Members’ Economic
Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of
their cooperative.
4.
Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are utonomous, self-
help organizations controlled by their markets.
5.
Education, Training and Information
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected
representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute
effectively to the development of their cooperatives.
7.
Concern for Community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable
development of their communities through policy.
2.
Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic
organizations controlled by their members, whoactively participate
in setting policies and making decisions.
1.
Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary
organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing
to accept the responsibilities of membership without gender, social,
racial, political or religious discrimination.
Prince George EC is a member-owned business committed to delivering reliable energy services at competitive prices to improve the quality of life of its customers and communities. The incoming Vice President of Engineering (VPE) will be a part of the Executive Management Team and will be responsible for strategic planning, organizing, developing and implementing programs in the areas of engineering (metering, substation, staking, system, GIS and fiber optic).
The new VPE will represent the Cooperative’s senior-most engineering leadership role and report to President & CEO Casey Logan. Charged with leading a team of engineering professionals, the successful
candidate will continue to improve upon a strong engineering organization centered on providing electric power for its members. With a culture of listening, observing, and collaborating, this individual will provide vision and leadership for developing and incorporating innovative and effective engineering solutions as PGEC focuses on improving the options for its member-customers. As a partner with each of the Cooperative’s respective functions, the incoming Vice President must develop and administer policies, procedures, and solutions that build and support a secure technology system which will serve as a solid platform for future growth.
Position Summary
Duties and Responsibilities
Reporting to the CEO, the incoming Vice President Engineering will:
• Advise and assist the Management Team by planning, developing and implementing sound programs, budgets and practices for the engineering team and provide reports and information regarding progress and development so that the ELT may effectively evaluate results.
• Provide strategic leadership and direction to engineering, and work in collaboration with leaders in operations, construction and maintenance to ensure safe and reliable delivery of electricity.
• Lead and deliver exceptional and outstanding customer service to external and internal customers.
• Plan system design with consulting engineers and Cooperative personnel, to develop short-term and long-term work plans and designs.
• Oversee economical design and construction of new substation facilities and electrical infrastructure required to maintain a safe, reliable electric distribution system.
• Partner with the Cooperative President and CEO when localities and economic development organizations have economic development prospects within the Cooperative’s service area.
• Work closely within areas of responsibility to achieve the most effective electrical system to meet Cooperative objectives.
• Evaluate reports and performance metrics, which reflect on the effectiveness and efficiency of the electrical system and initiate corrective action within appropriate areas.
• Develop a team relationship with other members of the ELT to ensure positive growth of the organization and provide assistance to others in areas assigned so that they may effectively carry out their responsibilities.
• Represent the Cooperative, when requested, in various civic and community undertakings.
• Ensure that work practices and procedures are in accordance with the Cooperative’s safety manual, OSHA regulations, and National Electric Safety Code, and any other body having jurisdiction.
• Plan, organize, and direct programs for smart grid initiatives to include the effective operation of an Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Distribution Automation (DA) and other technologies.
Ideal Executive Requirements
The incoming VPE will have a proven track record of success in a relevant environment in a leadership role. With an intuitive business acumen, the selected candidate will have a high level of personal integrity and ethical standards with the leadership traits necessary to motivate the organization and to earn the support necessary for achieving strategic initiatives.
Other desired attributes include:
• A trusted leadership style with high ethical standards and professional conduct, possessing the competence, judgment and personal commitment that is expected at Prince George EMC.
• A strategic visionary with strong technical/engineering skills, analytical ability, and good judgment, with the patience and persistence to focus on long-term success.
• The proven ability to influence, drive and lead change and to effectively promote the mission and the strategic initiatives and build consensus across the business. A thorough comfort with leading and inspiring others while building and motivating effective teams.
• A track record of fostering trusting relationships with key stakeholders at all levels within an organization.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills necessary for interactions with internal and external parties at varying levels.
• Familiar with RUS substation and distribution line design; construction, operation, and maintenance practices; industry safety practices; OSHA safety requirements; and the National Electrical Safety Code.
• Possess Professional Engineer’s license in Virginia or able to obtain licensure in Virginia.
• A bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or other equivalent Engineering discipline.
Contact
Chris GuineyPartner
Mike LittleConsultant
Emerald GrowResearch
Beth MillerSearch Coordinator
Waverly, VirginiaPrince George Electric Cooperative is located in Waverly, Virginia off the southeastern coast of Virginia. Situated between Virginia’s capital city, Richmond, and the coastal city of Norfolk, Waverly is a rural community ideal for day trips to either locale. Washington, D.C. and Baltimore are just a couple hours north of Waverly perfect for a weekend getaway.
Waverly is not short of architectural treasures or historical sites. The thriving downtown historic district displays late 19th and 20th century revivals and is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. Right off Waverly’s historic district is the Miles B. Carpenter Folk Art Museum, which houses America’s First Peanut Museum. The Hampton Roads Vineyard and Winery is fitting for the oenophile and provides an assortment of year-round, family-friendly activities, such as a local farmers market and the Farm to Fork celebration.
Surrounding Waverly are an assortment of outdoor activities. Big Woods Wildlife Management Area and Big Woods State Forest are located just southwest of Waverly and boast an assortment of outdoor recreational activities. The 2,208-acre area offer a variety of recreation opportunities, including: hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, hiking, and birding. Just north of Big Woods is Piney Grove Preserve, where one can roam among the pines and search for the rare red-cockaded woodpecker. Chub Sandhill Natural Area Preserve and Airfield 4-H Center also offer space for outdoor recreational activities.