March April 2015 Basin today

B A S I N T O D AY BASIN EL EC T RIC P OW ER COOPER AT I V E

M A RCH | A PRIL 2015

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M AG A ZINE

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

CONTENTS V O L U M E 18

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NUMBER 2

ON THE COVER The PrairieWinds sites in North Dakota and South Dakota have become shining examples of workplace safety and generation capacity, reaching incredible milestones. See pg. 8.

IN EVERY ISSUE 2 CEO and general manager column: Paul Sukut 4 In brief 14 Member focus: Connecting over coffee 16 Feature series: A day in the life of ... Basin Electric Director Allen Thiessen 18 Employee highlights FEATURE STORIES 6 Playing it safe 8 PrairieWinds subsidiaries thrive on safety, capacity 10 The power of Brave the Shave 13 Building for the future CONTRIBUTORS Editors: Andrea Blowers (ablowers@bepc.com) Tracie Bettenhausen (tbettenhausen@bepc.com)

Publications manager: Mary Miller Graphic designer:

Nicole Perreault

Photographer:

Chelsy Ciavarella

Writers:

Tammy Langerud, Chris Gessele, Dain Sullivan, Lindsey DeKrey & Joan Dietz

Use your smartphone barcode scanner to view stories online.

More than 360 heads were shaved during this year’s Brave the Shave events, raising more than $400,000.

MARCH – APRIL 2015 | 1

CEO A ND G E NE R A L M A N AG E R C OL UMN

PAUL SUKUT GROWING A VISION “Growth means change, and change involves risks, stepping from the known to the unknown.”

I found this quote not too long ago, and it has stayed with me. I think we all can relate to it in one form or another. Whether it is wisdom shared from a parent to a child, or a professional decision, the unknown author of this quote was onto something.

As I think about my career, each decision along the way involved an element of risk and a good dose of fear for the unknown. But, with each step forward, the unknowns eventually start becoming the knowns, and uncertainty gives way to progress and accomplishment.

I think of Basin Electric much the same way. As a cooperative family, we’ve endured much change over the years. Through all the milestones and pivotal decisions, two guiding factors stay with us today much as they did 53 years ago: We want to evolve, and we must hold true to our cooperative values.

Jay Lundstrom, Basin Electric lead load forecast analyst, presented the baseline load forecast at our February board meeting. The members’ power needs continue to grow. In fact, by 2035 the system is expected to grow by 2,828 megawatts. While the growth has moderated a bit from our previous forecast, we’re still growing nonetheless.

2 | BASIN TODAY

It’s no secret much of this growth centers in the Williston Basin region of North Dakota and Montana. Lynn Helms, director of the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources, spoke with our board in February. While the Bakken region has experienced a slight slowdown due to decreasing oil prices, Helms is confident the core-producing areas will not slow down.

Basin Electric is responding like we do when any member needs additional power. We’re in the process of siting Phase III for both the Pioneer and Lonesome Creek stations, adding more than 200 megawatts to our peaking generation. Additionally, work is under way to bring the AVS-to-Neset 345 kV line online by early 2017. This will not only strengthen the existing transmission system, but allow for delivery of steady baseload power from our Antelope Valley Station.

Growth to meet demand is one thing. Strategically growing is another. When Ron Harper was CEO and general manager of Basin Electric, the board directed Harper and staff to grow the cooperative. It was a pivotal time, and Basin Electric had to determine whether to maintain status quo or take bold actions to grow Basin Electric. Ultimately, the board and the membership decided that a bigger Basin was better.

This decision spread out risk, led to a diversified energy

portfolio, and created opportunities for more members to join Basin Electric.

Years later, the membership’s direction remains, and as staff, we’ve been entrusted to deliver on this vision. Today, our membership spans 138 member cooperatives who in turn serve more than 2.9 million end-use consumers, and our load has more than doubled since 2005.

We are continually evaluating ways to deliver on this vision, while looking at how we can better serve our members and offer enhanced services. We’ve always believed service extends beyond delivery of power. As cooperatives, we make our communities stronger, and Basin Electric exists to help our members do just that.

And, while our footprint across the heartland of America is indeed large, it’s our simple values that guide us: For the members, by the members.

Large or small, we are our members.

Paul Sukut, CEO and general manager

MARCH – APRIL 2015 | 3

IN B RIE F

WITHOUT AN EMPLOYEE INJURY

Basin Electric brings more generation online Basin Electric’s Lonesome Creek Station, a natural gas-based peaking station west of Watford City, ND, started commercial operation of Units 2 and 3 on Jan. 1 to help provide much-needed electrical stability in the Williston Basin.

Lonesome Creek Unit 1 started commercial operation December 2013. Each of the three units has 45 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity, giving the station a total rating of 135 MW. Basin Electric’s Pioneer Generation Station, a natural gas-based peaking station northwest of Williston, ND, is also helping serve electrical needs in the Williston Basin. Pioneer Station Unit 1 started commercial operation in September 2013, Unit 2 started commercial operation in February 2014, and Unit 3 started commercial operation in March 2014.

All three units have 45 MW of generation capacity.

The Basin Electric board of directors approved Phase III for both Lonesome Creek and Pioneer Generation Station in July 2014.

Phase III for Lonesome Creek will consist of the addition of three 45-MW combustion turbines.

Phase III for Pioneer Station will consist of 112 MW of additional peaking capacity, provided by 12 natural gas-based reciprocating engines that each have a generating capacity of 9.3 MW. http://bit.ly/NewPeakingGeneration

4 | BASIN TODAY

4,000 3,000 2015 Update 2015 Alternate

2,000 1,000

2036

2034

2032

2030

2028

2026

2024

0 2022

YEARS

5,000

2020

DEC. 31, 2014

MW 6,000

2018

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PRAIRIEWINDS 1 WIND PROJECT

Updated load forecast shows demand continues

2016

SA FE T Y MIL E S T ONE S

At its February meeting, Basin Electric’s directors approved the new load forecast, which is an update to the 2014 load forecast. The forecast shows that, even with lower oil prices, growth continues across Basin Electric’s membership.

“Even with lower oil prices, growth in the oil-related and pipeline sectors are driving the majority of the power supply needs,” said Jay Lundstrom, lead load forecast analyst. “However, other sectors are returning to their normal growth patterns.”

Basin Electric system continues all-time high billing peak streak MW 4,000 3,500 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0

3,590

Load forecast

2011-12

2012-13

2013-14

2014-15

“The 2015 winter peak wasn’t as extreme a climb when compared to the difference between the 2013 and 2014 peaks, but weather does play a big role,” said Dave Raatz, vice president of Cooperative Planning.

“There hasn’t been prolonged cold throughout the entire membership as in years past, however, the member billing peak numbers are still in line with what we have forecasted for growth.”

Foss named assistant general counsel Mark Foss, previously general counsel for Dakota Gasification Company, was named assistant general counsel for Basin Electric Jan. 12. Upon Basin Electric Senior Vice President and General Counsel Claire Olson’s retirement, Foss will become senior vice president and General Counsel.

Basinelectric.com is new. Check it out.

BTI merges into Basin Electric With the strategy of refocusing on members with regard to providing managed IT services, the Basin Electric board authorized at its December meeting the merger of Basin Electric with its subsidiary, Basin Telecommunications Inc. (BTI). Both the BTI board and Basin Electric board requested BTI return to its roots providing services primarily for the membership. With that, there was no longer a need for the BTI subsidiary.

However, current member IT services will remain unchanged. The merger was complete Dec. 31, 2014. http://bit.ly/BTIMerger

Basin Electric top United Way supporter Missouri Slope Areaw i de Uni te d Way Executive Director Jena Gullo (left) presented Ellen Holt, Basin Electric vice president of Human Resources, a plaque recognizing Basin Electric as the top corporate contributor to the Missouri Slope Areawide United Way’s 2014 fundraising campaign at its annual luncheon on Jan. 29, 2015. http://bit.ly/2014TopUWContributor

FIND US ON THE WEB BasinElectric.com

Basin Electric now has 138 members At the January board meeting, Mora-San Miguel Electric Cooperative, Mora, NM, a member of TriState Generation Mora-San Miquel Electric Cooperative and Transmission Association in Denver, CO, was approved for Basin Electric Class C membership.

Wyoming Lime Producers breaks record Wyoming Lime Producers, a division of Dakota Coal Company, has broken an all-time lime production record, previously set in 2008. The Frannie Lime Plant produced 157,289 tons of lime in 2014. Wyoming Lime Producers owns the Frannie Plant, a limestone processing plant near Frannie, WY. Wyoming Lime Producers also established a new sales record in 2014 of 157,459 tons, eclipsing the 2008 record of 150,832 tons.

DakotaGas.com

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MARCH – APRIL 2015 | 5

PLAYING IT SAFE

EMPLOYEES ON SAFETY AT WORK, HOME

By Dain Sullivan

Z

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I D

OUR POWE

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SAFETY Y M ,

S E N T

We live in a world rife with hazards.

Loose cords wrap around the tips of our shoes; ladders rest on unsteady footing; clear ice waits for us to slip. The threats are endless.

That’s why it’s up to all of us to keep one another accountable by being safety-conscious.

At Basin Electric, Our Power, My Safety is an effort geared toward building a safety culture where managers and supervisors are visibly committed, involved and performance-focused; employees are actively participating; and the system is flexible and perceived in a positive light.

Recently, four Our Power, My Safety team members took part in separate Q&A sessions to share their thoughts on safety issues. The feedback paints a clear picture of their own safety values, as well as those of the cooperative family they serve.

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How often should safety be at the forefront of your mind?

Bob Bartosh, chief operating officer and senior vice president of Dakota Coal Company and Montana Limestone Company, serves as an Our Power, My Safety steering team member at Basin Electric.

People should be thinking about safety 24 hours a day. I’ll be the first to admit that, throughout the early years of my professional career, it wasn’t 24 hours a day. The work always came first.

My eyes were opened during my first job out of college, which was at a surface coal mine in southern Illinois. One afternoon, I was working with an electrician to check high-voltage electrical junction boxes when he reached into a cabinet to clear out cobwebs that were blocking his view. There was enough static electricity present that he was exposed to the current. I watched him get electrocuted to death. It’s a picture you never forget. I was 22 years old at the time of the accident, and it left an impression on me to this day.

Simply put, you can’t be too safe. It can be so easy to check out, mentally, in a setting where you don’t believe there’s imminent danger. Maybe it doesn’t seem like there are many threats around you, but being cautious could mean the difference between life and death. I’ve seen how poor housekeeping and a lack of safety awareness can lead to fatalities.

Are the people around you directly affected by the quality of your safety practices?

Justin Feil, training coordinator at Antelope Valley Station, serves on Our Power, My Safety Continuous Improvement Team #1.

You can’t put on a steel suit to protect you from everything, but it’s important to know your limitations for the sake of those who count on you.

On my first day of returning to work after my son was born, I was walking from my car to the front door when I slipped on some ice and injured myself.

That fall really made me think. Was I being careful for the sake of my family, or was I too busy being in a rush to get back to work without thinking? This situation could have been worse, but it made me realize that if I were to get killed by another accident, I wouldn’t be there for my loved ones.

Is the topic of safety more important at work than at home?

It doesn’t matter where you are at, you need to be aware of your surroundings.

I think some of the most dangerous times of our day can actually be after work, when we’re tired and running on autopilot. That’s the point where things could really go wrong.

When I get home, my young daughter is always trying to climb up a stool to reach the counter. All it takes is a split second of me not paying attention and she could fall.

We always hear that safety is a priority.

But when it comes to protecting the ones I love, I see it more as a value.

We can always improve on safety. The more we talk about it, the better we’ll be at practicing it.

Dustine Simmons, warehouseperson at Leland Olds Station, is part of Our Power, My Safety Continuous Improvement Team #2.

Practicing safety means being able to come home every day to provide for your family.

Being safe also has a huge impact on the people you work with. Sometimes employees who have been around a little longer are used to doing things a certain way and they don’t practice good safety standards that could affect other employees they work beside.

I believe in being a good safety example for others. When I wore a respirator mask onsite, I noticed some other folks started doing the same thing.

We should all use the proper safety resources at our disposal for the sake of those around us.

What is one way you strive to improve the safety culture at work?

The key to building a strong safety culture at work is establishing good habits. If you make safety a habit, it becomes a regular part of your job.

One day, in a previous job, I walked out onto a beam without being properly harnessed and almost fell off. It could have ended very badly, and I’ve since made it a habit to be harnessed appropriately when working with heights.

I don’t ever want to wonder if there’s something more I could have done to keep myself and others safe. That’s where good habits come in. Sure, there will be times where there’s pressure to get a job done, but it’s worth it to stop and regroup when facing a potential hazard.

Wearing personal protective equipment is a good habit. So is making sure there is a winter survival kit in your car every year. Common safety practices like these should become routine. If we just take time to consider the risks, we can form good habits to avoid those risks.

Brad Autro, lead operator at Deer Creek Station, recently joined Our Power, My Safety Continuous Improvement Team #1.

MARCH – APRIL 2015 | 7

(From left): Travis Schall, Patrick Hurt, Christopher Sutton and Bradley Schneider stand in front of Basin Electric’s PrairieWinds 1 project near Minot, ND.

PRAIRIEWINDS SUBSIDIARIES THRIVE ON SAFETY, CAPACITY

By Dain Sullivan Dreams. You pursue them every day.

You’re the farmer who sows the land for a bountiful harvest; the parent who works to give your children a happy life; the business owner putting everything on the line to fulfill a lifelong goal.

That’s why Basin Electric staff took on the challenge when members dreamed of adding wind power to the cooperative’s generation mix.

To this day, subsidiaries PrairieWinds ND 1 and PrairieWinds SD 1 continue to not only power communities, but exceed expectations in safety and capacity.

Prime examples of co-op’s safety ideals The PrairieWinds employees have become shining examples of workplace safety, reaching incredible milestones.

A recent example was when the employees at PrairieWinds 1, south of Minot, ND, celebrated five years of operation without an injury. For

8 | BASIN TODAY

Kevin Tschosik, Basin Electric manager of distributed generation, it’s an accomplishment wor th celebrating.

“Five years with no injuries is huge,” Tschosik says. “You need the proper tools, safety procedures and consistency on a daily basis to have this sort of record.”

Tschosik says building trust and accountability is key when employees take part in regular training. For example, with PrairieWinds, that means embracing the buddy system when climbing and working on wind towers.

Rest assured: before employees climb, they’ve put in the time.

“Our wind technicians do not climb a tower until we’ve trained them in our tower rescue training program,” Tschosik says. “You’re working 260 feet in the air, so we train people to either rescue themselves or their buddy in case of an incident.”

Tschosik and his employees celebrated the zeroinjuries accomplishment with a luncheon Jan. 30 at the North Dakota wind site.

“It’s a huge milestone, and my employees should be proud of it. I’m proud of them for working safely,” Tschosik says.

Crow Lake Wind Project near White Lake, SD, also has a strong safety record. In the last four years, there’s been one minor injury.

Common safety exercises for the subsidiaries include those needed for handling ice conditions, high winds and an onsite injury. Basin Electric’s dispatchers monitor weather conditions with an emphasis on lightning, letting wind technicians know if storms are approaching.

Tschosik even invites local law enforcement and medical personnel to the sites each year for emergency responder meetings.

“It’s important to me that our wind technicians know if something would happen to them, we have a plan in place to help them,” he says.

Wind turbines can be shut down remotely from Basin Electric Headquarters in Bismarck, ND. In off hours, Headquarters personnel monitor and control all aspects of the wind projects. It’s a valued safety interface between Headquarters dispatchers and field wind technicians.

Service lifts have been installed on the PrairieWinds towers, preventing injuries.

The cooperative also cares about the well-being of protected species. Every spring and fall, Basin Electric monitors whooping crane movement around the wind turbines. If any of the whooping cranes are spotted in the vicinity during those times, an immediate shutdown is initiated.

“It’s all about protecting the lives that surround the turbines,” Tschosik says.

Wind capacity has grown at PrairieWinds Not only have Basin Electric’s PrairieWinds subsidiaries surpassed expectations in safety, but also in capacity.

The original business plans for the North Dakota and South Dakota wind projects called for a 39-percent capacity factor, which refers to the total

generation you can expect out of a wind project on a yearly basis.

In 2014, PrairieWinds 1 was at 46 percent and Crow Lake Wind Project reached a 48-percent capacity factor.

“Our capacity factors have been really good,” Tschosik says. “Of course, you can’t control the fuel source, which is the wind, but we can control availability, which is above 97 percent at both wind projects.”

The PrairieWinds projects have been able to keep availability high because a majority of turbines are operating at any given time. There are usually one or two down for routine maintenance each day.

“Ninety-seven percent availability is really high for the wind industry,” he says. “Our people have done an extraordinary job.”

Part of keeping so many turbines running has Of course, you can’t to do with the continuous control the fuel source, which monitoring systems Basin is the wind, but we can control Electric has installed. The availability, which is above 97 system alerts wind techpercent at both wind farms. ...

Ninety-seven percent is really nicians of inconsistencies high for the wind industry. Our like vibrations, which can people have done an extraordimean a loose connection nary job. or bad bearing.

The continuous Kevin Tschosik monitoring system can be the difference between an expensive gear box change or a more affordable and efficient up-tower repair. It’s all about benefiting the members in cost and energy output.

“We aim to predict a failure before the failure occurs,” he says. “Maintenance is a huge key to success, and I prefer to be proactive.”

Tschosik is proud of his employees. He credits their hard work for the success of the PrairieWinds subsidiaries, and he appreciates their service to Basin Electric’s membership.

“As a group, North Dakota and South Dakota technicians, as well as Headquarters dispatchers, they’ve all done a really good job,” Tschosik says. “Our employees have a great pride of what they’re doing, and they take ownership for everything they do.”

MARCH – APRIL 2015 | 9

Employees share the impact of Basin Electric’s annual Brave the Shave campaign

By Lindsey DeKrey Troy Gunter, lab technician at Laramie River Station, went through something no parent should have to. On his birthday, Oct. 1, 2010, he found out his 7-year-old son, Dallin, had a cancerous brain tumor.

Dallin fought hard and battled back from that first brain tumor.

Then, in early 2013, Dallin was diagnosed with another. He battled back again.

In the summer of 2014, he was diagnosed with yet another tumor. Sadly, the third diagnosis wasn’t a good one for Dallin and the rest of the Gunter family.

Dallin Gunter shaves his dad’s head at Laramie River Station’s Brave the Shave event in 2011.

“I’ll never forget it. It was Father’s Day when we found out the tumor had come back a third time and could not be cured. The doctors said his life would be head at the event in 2011. It was then that Dallin had short,” Gunter says. the honor of shaving his dad’s head. At that point, The cancer claimed Dallin’s life in June 2014.

Dallin was only receiving radiation therapy, not Everyone wishes Dallin’s story was different. But chemotherapy, so he had not lost any of his own hair it’s not the end of his story. yet. The next year, Dallin’s brother, “We still have faith that someday Zac, shaved his head in honor of We still have faith there will be a cure,” Gunter says.

Dallin, too. that someday there will Basin Electric’s Brave the Shave And the support didn’t end there. be a cure. campaign is all about finding that cure.

After Dallin was diagnosed with a Troy Gunter second tumor, he started receiving All helping hands on deck chemotherapy and lost all of his hair.

That inspired a classmate of Dallin’s Throughout their journey, Gunter to go bald at the 2013 event. He shaved again at last says he and his family were always proud to be a part year’s event and was joined by another one of Dallin’s of the Brave the Shave events held at Laramie River classmates.

Station. “Brave the Shave is a great thing. It broadens Much of the town of Wheatland, WY, also got the awareness of childhood cancer and forces people onboard in support of Dallin. “It’s a small community to stop and think about it for more than a brief second,” here. You not only work with these people, they’re Gunter says. “It’s also an opportunity for people to do people your kids are in sports with, people you’re on something about it.” bowling leagues with, people you go to church with,” After Dallin was first diagnosed, Gunter shaved his

10 | BASIN TODAY

cannot imagine the helpless feeling you’d have trying Gunter says. “I think that’s why it hit home for to care for your child when there’s something inside them. One of our own had it.” of them that’s hurting them,” Blowers says. “If there’s Gunter says all of that support made a difference. something I can do to help the process of ensuring “I think Dallin enjoyed seeing the thoughtfulness and there is a way to treat it, if there is a way to make it caring of everybody at the event,” Gunter says. “It better and easier for kids, I’m going to do what I can.” made it seem not so bad when he saw all the people Shaving also allowed her to donate all of her that wanted to help kids like him.” hair, 16-plus inches, instead of the Gunter says the money being raised 10 inches she originally thought she for childhood cancer research also made If there’s somewould cut. “I’ve been blessed to be an impact. The testing became good thing I can do to help the process of ensuring there is able to grow my hair. I’ve cut and enough to show two different types of a way to treat it, if there is donated before and it’s an awesome cancer in Dallin, which was something a way to make it better and feeling knowing in some small way I the doctors would not have known easier for kids, I’m going to can help ease someone’s battle with before. Knowing about the different do what I can. cancer by keeping their head warm.” cancers allowed for more appropriate Blowers’ long locks will keep a treatment for him.

Andrea Blowers special person’s head warm. Her hair While Dallin’s story reveals the has been donated to Lacey Robb, the seriousness of childhood cancer, it daughter of a former co-worker, who also reveals how much of a difference is battling breast cancer. Robb is the daughter of people can make. Employees are continuing to battle Floyd Robb, retired Basin Electric vice president of the disease in honor of Dallin and other kids who have communications and marketing support. Prior to her had to fight. cancer diagnosis, Robb had plans to be married this Locks lift others up spring, but because of chemotherapy treatments, she lost her hair. Blowers is giving her hair to Robb so she’ll have it in time for her wedding.

When it came to shaving it all, Blowers says she had no reservations. “I was excited about it. That surprises people, but I didn’t always feel like that,” she says. “In the seven years I’ve been volunteering with our Brave the Shave events, I knew then it wasn’t something I could commit to doing. However, my perception has changed. I believe if I can help someone, in some way, count me in.”

That’s a message she wanted her kids to understand. Blowers says she talks a lot with her kids Blowers is joined on stage by her husband, Blake, and about the importance of helping others. “Talking is their children, McKenzie (left) and Britton (right) at the 2015 Brave the Shave flagship event. one thing, showing is another. I wanted them to see She raised more than $12,000. the impact in action and I think this is a great way,” Blowers says. “They need to understand there is this big wide world where bad things can happen and we Andrea Blowers, senior staff writer/editor, had need to lift others up.” been growing her hair for more than three years with Serving people is something Blowers wants plans of cutting and donating it during this year’s Brave integrated into every aspect of her life, even at work. the Shave event. Just a few weeks before the event, “It’s why I absolutely love working at Basin Electric. she decided to take it a step further. Today, Blowers’ When your mission and core purpose is to help and hair is not only short; it’s barely existent. serve people, that drives you to make a difference,” She braved the shave with the hope of raising Blowers says. “I just feel like you can never underes$10,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. “I know timate the power of a helping hand.” what it feels like when my child has a cold or fever. I

MARCH – APRIL 2015 | 11

History of helping

Edwards goes bald at Mercer County’s Brave the Shave event.

While Blowers shaved for the first time this year, Chad Edwards, Antelope Valley Station plant manager, has been a long-time shavee. He has shaved every year since the first Brave the Shave event held in 2008. In fact, he was added to the Knights of the Bald Table last year.

For Edwards, shaving is “No big deal. … It’s something so minor in comparison to what these kids have to go through,” he says.

He knows cancer can touch anyone, at any time.

He says in 2004, there were three kids in his son’s second grade class in Stanton, ND. “The one girl out of the three kids was diagnosed with cancer. I really didn’t like those odds and I saw the devastating effects it had on her and her family.”

Throughout the years, Edwards has helped rally support among the Antelope Valley Station employees for the Brave the Shave campaign. An auction, feed and bake sale are some of the different fundraising tactics they use at the plant. “We figure the more people we can get involved, the more money we can raise, and the more of a difference we can make,” Edwards says. “It’s not how much hair we lose, it’s about how much money we can raise.”

After working for Basin Electric for 25 years and being a member of a cooperative most of his life, Edwards says it helped him understand the importance of serving others. “I’ve always been in the cooperative mode,” he says. “Working in this environment makes it easy for employees to want to get involved. Brave the Shave is especially an easy one to support because of the kids.”

Holding the kids close to heart Laramie River Station’s event on March 24 wrapped up this year’s Brave the Shave events.

While the events are meant to be a celebration of the strength and bravery of honorees and angels, this year the event at the plant will be a time to remember Dallin. Gunter says the event will be different and much tougher than in years past. “On some of the posters, one of the kids really resembles Dallin. It’s hard. I remind myself that along the road, Brave the Shave was a positive experience for us,” Gunter says.

“Just knowing that people are understanding of your situation and seeing how compassionate people are, it does help.”

This story is dedicated to Dallin Gunter and the other Brave the Shave Angels.

Basin Electric and Brave the Shave The first Brave the Shave event began at Basin Electric Headquarters eight years ago. The original goal was to get five people willing to shave their heads and to raise $10,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the world’s largest volunteerdriven fundraiser for childhood cancer research. That goal was surpassed nearly

12 | BASIN TODAY

10 times over that very first year. Since 2008, participants have raised more than $1.8 million and more than 1,700 people have shaved. Sister organizations, community partners, citizens, and honorees and their families have grown the campaign into one of St. Baldrick’s top 10 campaigns in the world. For more information, go to bravetheshave.coop.

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Proposed east and west additions.

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE WEST AERIAL VIEW 08 DEC 2014

By Tammy Langerud

EAST AERIAL VIEW

BASIN HQ ADDITION Bismarck, ND

ASIN HQ ADDITION

marck, ND

Basin Electric is experiencing an exciting build an addition that can accommodate growth and time, with membership growth across the system, needs into the future. Lastly, the cooperative would an upcoming integration with the Southwest Power like to provide a working environment that matches Pool and a changing workforce. employees’ needs in terms of a modern environment, Support of this growth requires not only additional lighting, technology, and collaborative elements, generation and transmission, but also new resources for example. and employees to better meet the members’ needs.

Steve Colberg, Basin Electric manager of corpoAs a result, the amount of space rate services, says workforce at Headquarters is maxed out. needs have evolved over the We see significant load growth Currently, Basin Electric has years. Plus, technological continuing into the future. To make sure we’re prepared to better serve more than 550 employees advancements, flexible work our members and their future needs, in Bismarck, ND, spread out schedules and increasingly we need to address our need for more across four different locations. savvy digital communicaspace at Headquarters.

Paul Sukut, Basin Electric tions tools have changed the CEO and general manager, says physical environment as well.

Paul Sukut Basin Electric has been adding “ We’re researching megawatts for years, but has current work environments been prudent in responding in – what works, what doesn’t terms of space needs at Headquarters. and how we can best accommodate employees going “We see significant load growth continuing into into the future,” Colberg says. the future,” Sukut says. “To make sure we’re prepared While the cooperative’s board has not yet to better serve our members and their future needs, approved an expansion of the Headquarters building, it we need to address our need for more space at has authorized Basin Electric staff to receive bids. The Headquarters.” possible expansion would add a 90,000-square-foot Basin Electric’s board approved funds for Basin addition to the existing building’s west entrance, which Electric to hire an architect to assess the existing presently is the main entrance. Preliminary concepts building and determine expansion options. show the addition running the length of the current Three goals exist for a possible expansion to Basin building and having four floors. A glass atrium would Electric’s Headquarters building. The first goal is to get connect the two buildings. all employees under one roof. The second goal is to Pending board approval, the anticipated completion timeframe for the expansion project is 2017.

MARCH – APRIL 2015 | 13

M E MB E R F OCUS

CONNECTING OVER UNITED POWER TAKES PERSONAL APPROACH TO MEMBER OUTREACH

By Chris Gessele During summertime in the Heartland, ferocious summer storms boil up with little notice and produce whipping winds, flattening all but the stoutest of trees.

Electric cooperatives are much like those steadfast trees. When the winds of opposition blow, the cooperative’s membership serves as its roots to provide stability and anchor the cooperative system.

United Power, a Basin Electric Class C member headquartered in Brighton, CO, is strengthening its connection with members via good old-fashioned faceto-face communication.

United Power serves more than 74,000 meters representing more than 250,000 customers on three sides of Denver, CO. The cooperative hosts and sponsors a wide variety of events throughout its service territory each year – from Biscuit Day in one community to a hot air balloon event in another.

14 | BASIN TODAY

“Engaging with our youth has been a great way to connect with our growing membership of young families,” says Laurel Eller, United Power senior communications specialist. “These families are new to the co-op and may not have time to come to our events. They see us make an effort to support what their children are doing through various sponsorships and events, and are grateful for the support.”

Event sponsorships build goodwill and benefit the community, but United Power understands there is much more to being a cooperative. Being a cooperative means honesty, transparency, and connecting with the community one handshake and smile at a time.

Each October, which is National Co-op Month, United Power sets aside one day to hold an informal

United Power Journeyman Lineman Ty Derby (far right) speaks to high school students at the Adams County Construction Career Days in Colorado. United Power is a sponsor of this annual event that draws high school students from around the service territory to learn more about careers in construction and trades.

open house in each of the cooperative’s four districts. of the cooperative’s service territory. A large number Called “Coffee with your Co-op,” cooperative employof people turned out to the Coffee with your Co-op ees and directors attend the events in their respective event to learn more and voice their concerns. districts.

“We were in their community at a time when The events are held in coffee they had questions, and it was very houses, libraries, firehouses and well received,” Eller says. “As long I think Coffee with your community centers – always an as we’re in front of the members Co-op is directly connected to easily-accessible community facility, when they need us, I think they the cooperative principles. We Eller says. And of course, there are remember that.” have an obligation to be in front coffee and pastries.

In addition to sponsorships of the members and supporting “Our ultimate goal is to make and Cof fee with your Co-op, their communities. directors more accessible to United Power also hosts meetLaurel Eller members,” she says. “Our lobby the-candidates events before would work fine, but we think it’s their annual meeting in March, better to be out where our members and the cooperative’s directors and are. We want to make sure any members in the employees stay active in their respective communities. community who have questions can raise those with “To be there, and say we will be there – it offers the board. We want to be accessible.” a lot of transparency and makes us more accessible If it’s a large turnout, staff and directors will to the membership. And there’s value in coming give attendees an overview of the latest news at the to members in their community rather than them cooperative. For smaller turnouts, staff and directors coming to us. I think you get a lot of goodwill from will visit with people one-on-one as they trickle in that,” Eller says. “I think Coffee with your Co-op is throughout the day. directly connected to the cooperative principles. We Eller says attendance hinges on current issues. have an obligation to be in front of the members and In one instance, a city was looking to buy out a part supporting their communities.”

MARCH – APRIL 2015 | 15

F E AT URE SE RIES

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF … DIRECTOR

ALLEN THIESSEN

By Tracie Bettenhausen

Allen and Sue Thiessen, in their home.

The Februrary meeting of Lower Yellowstone Rural Electric Association’s board of directors in Sidney, MT. Thiessen serves as president.

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If you want a glimpse into the heart of the cooperative philosophy, hop into Allen and Sue Thiessen’s pickup truck, and ride through Lambert, MT. Start at their home, just off the main drag. Turn right and see Thiessen and his business partner’s auto repair business, Town & Country Repair. Across the street, the fire and ambulance station. Look a little further, and you’ll find The Lion’s Den, once a teen center and now a not-for-profit lunchtime diner.

Allen and Sue Thiessen say Lambert was a great place to raise their children. Son Anthony and daughter Angela and their families came back to eastern Montana after college. “Having all of our grandchildren just 20 miles away in Sidney is a real blessing,” Allen Thiessen says.

Or maybe it’s not their pickup truck you’re taking.

The town of about 150 residents has a school with about 130 kids. Get on the school bus and ride along. For 38 years, the Thiessens have been driving the bus routes, before and after school, and to sporting events. Some of the kids live up to an hour away from Lambert. Students even come to school here from Sidney, MT. These Lambert landmarks and amenities address concern for community and cooperation; they help facilitate independence and education. Allen Thiessen was a volunteer fireman and helped bring the ambulance to town during his time on the Foundation for Community Care board, and he is a founding board member of the Lion’s Den. You’re rolling down streets the Thiessens care about deeply. It shows in the way they talk about town, and in their actions.

At Lower Yellowstone Rural Electric Association’s board meeting, where Allen Thiessen serves as president, one topic of discussion in February was a downed power line in the middle of a Lambert street. It came down because of snow, ice and a little too much wear and tear. Thiessen saw the line while coming through town.

People were driving over it, and he wasn’t sure if it was live. Because he wanted to keep people safe, Thiessen

they use contracted labor to build their new lines, and waited with it until crews could get there. the existing workforce does the maintenance and takes Thiessen’s history is tied to his home, and to his care of the farmers and ranchers,” he says. cooperative roots too. When he first became involved Just north of Lambert sits 600 oil wells. Thieswith electric cooperatives, it was because a family sen says the resources Basin Electric is putting into member asked. “In 1986, my uncle C. R. Thiessen came generation and transmission today is going to support to me in my shop and said, ‘I am going to retire, and I the production of wells like those. “If the exploration need somebody to take my place. You have as good dies off with lower oil prices, and they pile all the rigs a chance as anybody. Would you give it a whirl?’” up, the oil companies will still produce the wells that Thiessen says. C. R. Thiessen is an original incorporator are out there.” of Basin Electric and former board president.

As of March 25, there are 98 rigs drilling wells in Thiessen was elected. Right away, Gottlieb western North Dakota. “These rigs drill a well in two to Schmierer, a Lower Yellowstone REA director, took three weeks. With that many rigs drilling wells that fast, him under his wing. Today, Schmierer’s son Dennis all that production still needs electricity,” he says. “I’m Schmierer serves on the board with Thiessen. extremely comfortable with what Basin’s doing right In the years since, Thiessen has served on several now to serve the Bakken.” boards related to the electric coopAs for the new transmission line eratives, including the Montana I just love the co-op process. under construction in North Dakota, Electric Cooperatives’ Association There’s almost nothing I Thiessen says this infrastructure board. He and Sue would often would rather do than go to a darn board meeting. … You get all these is the backbone of the nation. “If make a “midnight run” to get to collaborative ideas and 99 percent you’ve got the transmission line, board meetings: after coming home of the time, the combination thereof you can send the power to the next from driving bus for a sporting or the best idea surfaces. I just love growth area, whether it’s in South event, they’d get in their own car working that way.

Dakota or Minnesota,” he says. and head to Great Falls, to arrive in Allen Thiessen “A transmission line is the best the early morning hours. investment a power company can On the Basin Electric board, make because it gives you so much Thiessen represents Upper Missouri flexibility. … Plus, when you have the kind of resources Power Cooperative, headquartered in Sidney, MT, they have in northwestern North Dakota, it (the oil) is serving cooperatives in Montana and North Dakota. “I going to be developed. And building lines isn’t going to just love the co-op process,” Thiessen says. “There’s get any cheaper.” almost nothing I would rather do than go to a darn Thiessen says there are two keys to keeping a board board meeting. … You get all these collaborative ideas working well: transparency and communication. “That’s and 99 percent of the time, the combination thereof or what I live by. I’ve told my board 100 times – if we can’t the best idea surfaces. I just love working that way.” explain it at the annual meeting, we’re not going to do “If you win, you win together, and if you make a it. It’s that simple.” mistake, you fix it together,” he says.

That’s the cooperative way, democracy in action.

Lessons have come hard and fast to this area Thiessen loves working out differences in opinion, both of Basin Electric’s membership. When the Lower within the board and the membership. “I get a letter every Yellowstone REA area saw an oil boom and bust years once in a great while from somebody who has a question, ago, they learned lessons and made changes that are or they disagree with something we did. That’s great. benefitting them during today’s boom.

It gives me a chance to explain. And even if you don’t The cooperative changed their growth policies. always agree, at least you both know where you stood.”

For example, if a new member comes in, and they But it’s not the disagreements Allen and Sue Thieswant a line to an oil well, they pay for it. “So that when sen reminisce about. They laugh and tell stories about they leave, our other members who built the co-op the great friends they’ve made over the years, and all don’t have to pick up the tab for it,” Thiessen says. the miles they’ve driven together – across the state, Also, they started hiring contracted lineworkers. middle of the night, pointing out the yard lights of the “You hate to hire six new linemen and then a year later, people they count as friends. lay them off. You’ll notice that at any oil-growth co-op,

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E M P L OY E E HIG HL IG H T S

A SHOW OF DETERMINATION

50 MARATHONS IN 50 STATES

Mary Albrecht reaches the finish line in Antarctica. Years later, she’d be finishing her goal in Hawaii.

Goofy Challenge at Walt Disney World. But the Baton Traveling to all 50 states is a popular life goal for Memorial Death March marathon at the White Sands many people. Mary Albrecht, shift supervisor at Leland Missile Range in New Mexico tops the list as her most Olds Station, had a similar goal with a slight twist: run a memorable marathon in the U.S. Her most memorable marathon in all 50 states. In January, she achieved that marathon overall? The Antarctica Ice Marathon. Watch goal, with her adult children running across the finish line Albrecht talk about that on Basin Electric: Live Wire at with her at the Maui Oceanfront Marathon in Lahaina, HI. the link below.

Albrecht is one of just a handful of North Dakota To date, Albrecht has a total of 61 marathons and runners to accomplish this feat. She‘s nonchalant, though, 31 half-marathons under her belt. Aside saying she’s a newbie compared to other from her impressive quest of running 50 marathoners who have done the 50-in-50 I didn’t think it was full marathons in 50 states, she’s also run quest five times. that big of a deal until it marathons on six of the seven continents “I didn’t think it was that big of a occurred to me that I’ve put in the world. deal until it occurred to me that I’ve put my feet on the ground for After 10 years of running, Albrecht my feet on the ground for 26.2 miles in 26.2 miles in every state. has developed a motto: “It’s all about every state,” she says. “And I thought, And I thought, ‘That’s pretty cool.’ the story.”

‘That’s pretty cool.’”

Like the time she rented a sketchy Albrecht ran her first full marathon in Mary Albrecht car from a shady rental place. “We always 2005, at the inaugural Fargo (ND) Maratalk about that sketchy little car, but never thon. She’d run one to two marathons a the new cars I’ve rented,” Albrecht laughs. year after that. A few years later, Albrecht Some of her stories serve as meaningful life lessons. decided she either needed to finish her goal or abandon When Albrecht first started running marathons, her goal it. “I really don’t have reverse,” Albrecht says. “My only was to continually beat her personal record. option was to finish.”

“I enjoyed running more when I stopped trying to get In December 2012 she mapped out a plan. By a better time with every marathon,” Albrecht says. “I also January 2015, Albrecht ran 29 full marathons in 29 states realized that every hard marathon I’ve done or every time to complete her mission. In some cases, she’d also run I’ve struggled to finish, those are the ones I remember.” a half-marathon if the race offered it.

Some of the unique marathons Albrecht recalls http://bit.ly/5statesin5days include the No Wimps Challenge in Michigan and the 18 | BASIN TODAY

New employees Sean Keller started his position Nov. 3 as a lineman-journeyman at Transmission System Maintenance in Gillette, W Y. Originally from McLaughlin, SD, Keller previously worked as a lineman-journeyman at Northeast Wyoming Construction Company in Gillette.

Tyler Anderson began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Jan. 12 as an electrical and instrumentation maintenance field technician. A Mandan, ND, native, he is a journeyman electrician.

Travis Ballensky began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Dec. 29 as a maintenance field technician. The Hazen, ND, native has a mechanical maintenance technology certificate from Bismarck (ND) State College. Ballensky previously worked at Challenger Industries, Beulah, ND. Ray Cross began work Jan. 26 at Laramie River Station as a welder/ mechanic II. Originally from Cheyenne, WY, Cross previously worked for AZCO/Local #192 in Cheyenne as a pipefitter welder.

Richard Martin, welder/mechanic II, began his position at Laramie River Station Jan. 12. Martin is originally from Cheyenne, WY.

Nigel Schmitz, process engineer, began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Jan. 12. The Minot, ND, native was a process engineering cooperative education employee at the facility and has a chemical engineering degree from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Kayla Fitterer started her position Jan. 12 as a settlements analyst I at Headquarters. The Tuttle, ND, native previously worked as an admissions manager for Rasmussen College in Bismarck, ND. Ryan Zins began work Jan. 12 as an enterprise application architect III at Headquarters. The Flasher, ND, native previously worked for Insite Software in Minneapolis, MN, as a web development project manager.

Chris Baytosh was hired as a process operations field technician Jan. 12 at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. The Beulah, ND, native previously worked at ADM, Velva, ND, as an operator and temporary lead.

John Berndt began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Dec. 15 as a maintenance field technician.

The Wilton, ND, native previously worked at The Coteau Properties Company, Beulah, ND, and has an associate degree in diesel technology from North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton.

Danelle Murphy, accounting analyst I, began her position at Headquarters Jan. 5. Originally from Helena, MT, Murphy previously worked for Unisys in Bismarck, ND, as a project controller.

Gregory Schaff started his position Jan. 12 as an electrical engineer I at Headquarters. Schaff is originally from Bismarck, ND.

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E M P L OY E E HIG HL IG H T S

New employees Bruce Irwin began work Dec. 1 as an electrician II at Leland Olds Station.

Originally from Minot, ND, Irwin previously worked for Skeels Electric Company as a project foreman.

Troy Snyder began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Dec. 15 as a process operations field technician. The Denver, CO, native is a U.S. Marine Corps. veteran, and previously worked at ADM, Velva, ND, as an operator.

Chad Symmank began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Dec. 15 as a maintenance field technician. Originally from Bismarck, ND, he has an associate degree from Bismarck State College in mechanical maintenance. Symmank previously worked for BNSF Railway in Mandan, ND. AJ Thompson, environmental analyst, began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Jan. 26. The Beach, ND, native has a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from the University of Mary, Bismarck, ND. He previously worked for Trihydro Corporation as an environmental technician in Bismarck.

Kyle Weisbeck, mechanical engineer I, began his position at Headquarters Dec. 27. Originally from Herreid, SD, Weisbeck previously worked for HDR Distribution EIT in Bismarck, ND. Weisbeck has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from North Dakota State University, Fargo.

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Tracy McBride, manager of financial reporting and accounts receivable, began her position at Headquarters Jan. 26. Originally from New Jersey, McBride previously worked as vice president of research and accounting policy for Financial Executives International (FEI) in Morristown, NJ. She also has 10 years of experience working as a vice president for Morgan Stanley.

McBride is a certified public accountant and has an M.B.A. from Cornell University.

John Bickerstaff was hired as a maintenance field technician at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Jan. 12.

The Beulah, ND, native has worked at various North Dakota power plants and the Tesoro Mandan (ND) Refinery.

He most recently worked at Gagnon as an insulation general foreman.

Tyrel Boyce began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Dec. 29 as a maintenance field technician.

Originally from Beulah, ND, he previously worked as an operator at Cert Operations.

Bryce Brady was hired at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Jan. 26 as a chemistry lab field technician. The Grafton, ND, native has a chemistry degree from Valley City (ND) State University.

Chris Breiner, compliance specialist, began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Feb. 9. The Flasher, ND, native has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. He previously was a general manager at the Italian Moon in Grand Forks.

Jim Scheitel started his position as an enterprise database administrator II at Headquarters Jan. 26.

He previously worked as a database administrator at Knife River Corporation/MDU Resources Group, Inc. in Bismarck, ND.

Kerry Kaseman began work as manager of commodity risk at Headquarters Jan 19. Originally from the Wishek and Jamestown, ND, areas, Kaseman previously worked for Ottertail Power Company as senior resource planner in Fergus Falls, MN. He is a certified public accountant and has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from North Dakota State University, Fargo.

Mick Dettmann began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Dec. 29 as a protection services specialist. He is from Beulah, ND.

Mitch Estabrook is an electrical and instrumentation maintenance field technician who began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Dec. 29. He is a Bismarck, ND, native.

Brian Fergel began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Jan. 12 as a maintenance field technician. He previously was a welder at The Coteau Properties Company and Case New Holland, and was a department manager at Lowes.

James Wold began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Dec. 29 as a process operations field technician. He is originally from Mitchell, SD.

Dan Olson began work as a laborer Jan. 12 at Leland Olds Station. The Bismarck, ND, native previously worked for Clean Coal Solutions, while the company was contracted at Leland Olds Station. Olson also worked as a welder at Bilfinger Westcon. He earned a welding certificate from Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park, MN. He also has an associate degree in power plant technology from Bismarck (ND) State College.

Wade Trotter began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Jan. 12 as an electrical and instrumentation maintenance field technician. The Killdeer, ND, native previously worked for Consolidated Telcom as a combination technician in Killdeer.

Kathy Thieling started her position as a laborer Jan. 12 at Leland Olds Station. The Stanton, ND, native previously worked for Garrett Brothers as a foreman.

Jesse Morrell, laborer, began his position at Leland Olds Station Jan. 12. Originally from Mandan, ND, Morrell previously worked for Minnkota Power Cooperative as a laborer.

Joel Wiedrich began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Dec. 29 as a process operations field technician. He is originally from Hazen, ND.

Tom Wolf began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Jan. 12 as a maintenance field technician. The New Salem, ND, native previously worked for SuperValu as a mechanic/ machinist refrigeration technician.

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E M P L OY E E HIG HL IG H T S

New employees Ryan Roth began work as a laborer Jan. 12 at Leland Olds Station. The Bismarck, ND, native previously worked as a service technician for Winn-Marion Automation in Arnegard, ND. He has an associate degree in instrumentation and control from Bismarck (ND) State College.

Justin Fleck began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Jan. 12 as a process operations field technician. He is a Mandan, ND, native.

Crystal Flemmer began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Feb. 9 as a cafeteria attendant. The Beulah, ND, native previously worked at Subway.

Sandra Gallagher, accounting analyst II, began her position Nov. 10 at Headquarters. The Bismarck, ND, native previously worked as an accountant/office manager/human resources generalist for Finley Engineering Company in Bismarck. Gallagher has a bachelor’s degree in business management, with a concentration in accounting, from University of Phoenix. She also completed the Society of Human Resource Management’s 14-week course for the SPHR exam.

Scott Jennings, real time trader I, began his position at Headquarters Feb. 9. The Bismarck, ND, native previously worked as a financial planner for Solid Rock Financial Group in Bismarck.

22 | BASIN TODAY

Brady Spooner started his position as a GIS technician I Feb. 9 at Headquarters. Originally from Williston, ND, Spooner previously worked as a GIS Technician I for Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., in Williston.

Donald Pindell began work as a laborer Feb. 9 at Laramie River Station. The Wheatland, WY, native previously worked for Plumbers & Pipefitters UA Local #192 in Wyoming as a pipefitter/welder.

Zackery Rose, laborer, began his position at Laramie River Station Feb. 9. Originally from Wheatland, W Y, Rose previously worked for Jerry’s Welding in Douglas, WY, as a roustabout.

Sam Freidt began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Jan. 12 as an electrical and instrumentation maintenance field technician. The Mandan, ND, native previously was an electrician at Dakota Westmoreland.

Dave Gilkison began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Jan. 12 as a process operations field technician. The Beulah, ND, native previously worked at Oklahoma Gas and Electric and True Oil Red Wing Gas Plant in Watford City, ND. Derek Hanson began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Dec. 15 as a maintenance field technician.

The Fort Ransom, ND, native has an associate degree in mechanical maintenance from Bismarck (ND) State College. Hanson previously worked at Center Machine and Scheels All-Sports.

Garrett Snell started his position as a laborer Feb. 9 at Laramie River Station. The Wheatland, WY, native previously worked for Consolidated Manufacturing Enterprises, in Wheatland as a painter/welder.

Ty Nelson began work as a laborer Feb. 9 at Laramie River Station.

Nelson previously worked for the Wyoming Department of Transportation in Laramie as a senior construction and field survey specialist.

Cindy Moore, laborer, began her position Feb. 9 at Laramie River Station. Originally from Wheatland, WY, Moore previously worked as a mill operator for True Ranches in Wheatland.

Nikki Kiilunen began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Jan. 12 as an inspection field technician.

Originally from Calumet, MI, she previously was a field inspector in Roseville, MN. Joel Maier, mechanical engineer, began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Jan. 12. The Bismarck, ND, native has a mechanical engineering degree from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City.

Chance Mastel began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Jan. 12 as a maintenance field technician.

The Marmarth, ND, native has an associate degree in welding from North Dakota State College of Sci ence, Wahpeton.

Brandon Newgard began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Jan. 12 as an electrical and instrument ation maintenance f ield technician. The Mandan, ND, native previously worked for Edling Electric as an inside journeyman wireman.

Trent McCoy started his position as a laborer Feb. 9 at Laramie River Station. Originally from Fort Laramie, WY, McCoy previously worked for Wyoming Ethanol in Torrington as a distiller.

Ronda Walker began work as a laborer Feb. 9 at Laramie River Station. The Wheatland, WY, native previously worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Wheatland.

Wyatt Paul began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Dec. 29 as a maintenance field technician. He is a Mandan, ND, native.

Graham Regan began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Dec. 29 as a process operations field technician. He is a Mandan, ND, native.

Mike Reisenauer began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Feb. 9 as a maintenance field technician.

The Mandan, ND, native previously worked for General Equipment in Bismarck, ND. Jordan Ripplinger began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Dec. 15 as a maintenance field technician. He is a Mandan, ND, native.

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E M P L OY E E HIG HL IG H T S

New employees Quintin Roerick began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Dec. 15 as a maintenance field technician.

The Harvey, ND, native previously worked as a welder for Acrotech Services in Bismarck, ND. Josh Rogers began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Dec. 15 as a maintenance field technician.

The Mandan, ND, native previously worked for NextEra Energy in Wilton, ND. Lisa Johnston, laborer, began her position Feb. 9 at Laramie River Station. Originally from Wheatland, WY, Johnston previously worked as an operator for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in Wheatland.

Joshua Chilcote began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Feb. 23 as an electrical and instrumentation field technician. He is originally from Ft. Wayne, IN.

Travis Tooley began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Feb. 23 as a process operation field technician. The Dickinson, ND, native has an associate degree in process plant technology from Bismarck (ND) State College. He previously worked at Dakota Prairie Refining and at Dakota Gas. Roy White began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Feb. 23 as an electrical and instrumentation field technician. He is originally from Beulah, ND.

Service awards

John Juba

Jay Houx

yard operator

lab technician

35 years

Leland Olds Station

35 years

Laramie River Station

William R. Gorman

Colleen Weeg

operator-technician

senior administrative assistant

35 years

Wyoming Distributed Generation

35 years

Headquarters

John Huston

Joan Dietz

control room operator

communications specialist

35 years

Laramie River Station

30 years

Dakota Gasification Company

Conrad Kostelecky

Angela Oster

field technician

field technician

30 years

Dakota Gasification Company

30 years

Dakota Gasification Company

Lanny Zeltinger

Kenneth Boe

field technician

supervisor field maintenance

30 years

Dakota Gasification Company

30 years

Dakota Gasification Company

24 | BASIN TODAY

Service awards

Daniel Blohm

Ivar Frantsen

Chuck Fritel

Steve Goetz

Kelly Hausauer

field technician

field technician

shift superintendent

field technician

field technician

30 years

Dakota Gasification Company

30 years

Dakota Gasification Company

30 years

Dakota Gasification Company

30 years

Dakota Gasification Company

30 years

Dakota Gasification Company

Glenn Murray

Dale Schwalbe

Brent Charging

Kenneth Gall

Frank Hester

field technician

field technician

instrument I

assistant mechanic supervisor

shift supervisor

30 years

Dakota Gasification Company

30 years

Dakota Gasification Company

30 years

Leland Olds Station

30 years

30 years

Laramie River Station

Laramie River Station

David Patterson

Russ Sticka

Walter Sturdivant

Vickie Volk

Delmer Dyk

water treatment plant supervisor

control room operator

coal yard supervisor

senior administrative assistant

telecommunications specialist

30 years

30 years

Laramie River Station

30 years

Laramie River Station

Laramie River Station

25 years

25 years

Headquarters

Transmission System Maintenance - Mandan

Christopher Locy

Scott Scheller

Gary Burns

Rory Hochsprung

Steven Schaper

plant operator

shift supervisor

field technician

maintenance planning supervisor

field technician

25 years

Laramie River Station

25 years

Laramie River Station

25 years

Dakota Gasification Company

25 years

25 years

Dakota Gasification Company

Dakota Gasification Company

JoAnn Hubbard 25 years

procurement coordinator Laramie River Station

MARCH – APRIL 2015 | 25

E M P L OY E E HIG HL IG H T S

Retirees

Editor’s note: Expanded retirement stories were written only for those who returned their questionnaire to Basin Today staff.

Timothy Engel retired from the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Jan. 5 after more than 30 years of service. He worked as a maintenance field technician during his time at the plant. Originally from Garrison, ND, Engel has three children and three grandchildren.

Keary Mosbrucker retired Jan. 21 from the Great Plains Synfuels Plant after more than 28 years of service.

He began working at the plant in 1987 and worked in the warehouse. Mosbrucker has three children and seven grandchildren. In retirement, he plans to fish, hunt, golf and “not work!” He will also spend time vacationing in Mesa, AZ. Orvin Rosaasen retired Jan. 12 from the Great Plains Synfuels Plant after more than 26 years of service. He began working at the plant in 1989 and worked as a chemistry lab field technician.

Peggy O’Neil, environmental analyst, retired from the Great Plains Synfuels Plant Feb. 2 after 38 years of service.

O’Neil’s career began as a clerk typist in 1976, and she later served as a community affairs assistant in the Beulah, ND, downtown office before construction of the plant. When the plant started operation, she continued her career at the plant in the environmental department.

O’Neil recalls many challenges in the early years, from permits needed on the state and local level, as well as having to plan for the influx of construction workers and employees to the area. “We had several ‘go ahead’ parties, but each time we thought the project was ready to commence, an obstacle would arise that would put everything on hold,” O’Neil says.

People from all over the country stopped at the

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downtown office to inquire about jobs and housing.

The winter of 1981-82 was colder than normal, and the wind chill factor reached 109 degrees below zero.

“I remember some of the people who signed up for housing contacted our office and asked to be taken off the list,” O’Neil says. “We told them that it was unusual for the area to get that cold, but they weren’t convinced.”

O’Neil and her husband, Pat, have three children, and their first grandchild is due in April. She plans to work on home projects, travel and spend more time with family and friends.

Dan Schmidt, senior contract administrator, retired Feb. 9 from Headquarters after 32 years of service. Schmidt began working as a contracts administration supervisor in 1983 for the original owners of the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. He became a Basin Electric employee in 1988 when the Synfuels Plant was purchased by Basin Electric. Since then, he’s held positions as lead purchase agent, senior purchasing agent, contract administer and senior contract administrator.

Schmidt has many memories from during his career, from the site conditions during construction of the Synfuels Plant to coming home from his honeymoon to learn the original owners of the Synfuels Plant defaulted and the plant could close.

Bern Tolosky, Dakota Gas procurement operations manager, worked with Schmidt since the Synfuels Plant startup. “Over the years, there were stretches when ‘our Dan’ was not the only Dan Schmidt in the company,” Tolosky says. “But you’d never really confuse Dan for anyone else. I believe I’ll just remember him as Dan number one. And I hope he gets that big buck with all his new opportunity to do so in retirement.”

Jon Klein, vice president of procurement, says Schmidt is a teacher by nature and has mentored many of the newer team members. Klein says Schmidt was meticulous in his work, very detailed and knowledgeable. And when it comes to routines, Klein says Schmidt is “very regimented. … He’d work

out every day at noon, followed by eating one or two packets of oatmeal for lunch. I don’t know if this is the secret to healthy living, but Dan still plays competitive volleyball and is a very active outdoorsman,” Klein says. “I guess the moral of the story is to workout and eat oatmeal.”

Schmidt says he’ll miss the many co-workers throughout the Basin Electric family he’s shared a career with, as well as a good number of quality contractors he’s met. His near-term retirement plans center on hunting, fishing and camping. His long-term plans include mapping out a multi-year travel plan for the entire United States.

Jim Huncovsky, vice president of procurement, retired from Headquarters Feb. 2. During his 34 years of service, he worked in various procurement and supply chain positions, starting as a contracts analyst at the Antelope Valley Station during construction. Other positions included purchasing supervisor, manager of purchasing, manager of purchasing and supplier quality, and manager of procurement.

Steve Johnson, senior vice president and CFO, says Huncovsky always had Basin Electric’s best interest in mind, which was instrumental in his role.

“Through fair but prudent negotiations, Jim saved the cooperative and its subsidiaries millions of dollars over the course of his employment with Basin Electric,” Johnson says.

Johnson says he’ll miss Huncovsky’s dedication, demeanor and leadership skills. “Jim has the respect of everyone he worked with. On the personal side, his dead pan humor and quick wit kept staff meetings light, as you never knew what he would interject,” he says.

In 2009, Huncovsky received the Solon Bennett Award from the Institute for Supply Management – Cooperative Utilities (ISM-CU), an affiliate of the Institute of Supply Chain Management that’s made up of cooperative utility supply chain personnel from across the country. The award recognizes cumulative career efforts of those who have significantly impacted the ISM-CU affiliate, membership of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and/or the

TechAdvantage Conference, where the award is given.

During retirement, Huncovsky and his wife, Karla, plan to travel throughout the country in their motorhome. They plan to winter in different parts of the United States each year. They’ll continue to live “down by the river,” spending their summers in North Dakota on the river and lakes, and enjoying more time with family and friends. Huncovsky and his wife have three children and four grandchildren.

Art Hendrix retired from Leland Olds Station Jan. 9 after 31 years of service. He started at Laramie River Station in 1984 as a laboratory technician. In 1985, he transferred to Leland Olds Station as a laboratory technician and was promoted to lead laboratory technician, his position at retirement.

Hendrix, a native of Lakeland, FL, recalls driving to Wheatland, WY, from Florida for his job interview in December before he started. “As I was driving up I-25, the Wyoming wind was blowing heavy snow ribbons across the interstate, and I kept thinking, ‘What am I getting myself into?’” Hendrix says.

Ryan Goven, results engineer, says Hendrix was very knowledgeable about power plant chemistry and will miss working with him on water treatment upgrades. “He was a great resource on current systems and industry trends.”

Goven also says Hendrix was great at teaching, often using analogies of soldiers with knives and soldiers with guns when explaining ion exchange.

During retirement Hendrix says he plans to explore new hobbies, activities and interests, travel, spoil the grandkids, and read. But before all that, he plans “to get rid of the alarm clock and sleep in.”

Steve Ellefson retired from Headquarters Feb. 2 after nearly 31 years of service. Ellefson began his career with Basin Electric as a result of the acquisition of the Great Plains Synfuels Plant in 1984. He held various auditing positions at Basin Electric and Dakota Gas throughout his career including senior auditor, senior

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operations auditor, manager of internal auditing, chief auditor and manager of internal auditing, the position he held at the time of his retirement. Steve Johnson, senior vice president and CFO, notes Ellefson was very meticulous, detailed and always strived to ensure audits were fair. “Steve never had a hidden agenda or outcome in mind,” Johnson says. “He also knew the reputation of internal auditing and strived to ensure everyone had respect for the professionalism of the division.”

Johnson says he’ll miss morning visits with Ellefson. “Frequently, he’d pop in early in the morning and ask if he could have five minutes,” Johnson says.

“Once we discussed the business purpose of the visit, we’d then talk about a sundry of topics – mostly cards and Bison (North Dakota State University) football – his passions. The meetings never lasted five minutes, which was fine with both of us.”

Fred Adams retired from Basin Electric after almost 29 years of service. Adams started at Basin Electric in 1986, serving as the aircraft pilot and was promoted to chief pilot. He later added travel supervisor to his role.

In his early years at Basin Electric, Adams was the only aircraft pilot and was instrumental in growing the department from its infancy to what is now a department consisting of nine pilots, one mechanic and three travel coordinators. He also implemented a pilot intern program with University of North Dakota’s aviation program. To date, five of the 20 pilot interns through this program have become full-time pilots at Basin Electric.

Steve Colberg, manager of corporate services, says Adams was an excellent pilot, great leader and mentor, and just an overall tremendous asset to Basin Electric. “If it weren’t for Fred, we wouldn’t have the exceptional staff, aircraft and excellent facilities we have today,” Colberg says.

Adams was an advocate of safety training, safety procedures, and dealing with complacency. “We never had an airplane accident, and that’s a testament to Fred’s passion for safety and leadership,” Colberg says.

When recalling moments working with Adams, 28 | BASIN TODAY

Colberg smiles as he remembers Adams’ quick fuse.

“Fred had a quick fuse, and when he took off his glasses, you knew it wasn’t a good thing,” Colberg laughs. “Often, before going into important meetings, I’d tell him, ‘Fred, keep your glasses on for this one.’”

In retirement, Adams plans to travel, do aviation consulting, and continue working on National Business Aviation Association’s Certified Aviation Manager governing board and Aviation Accreditation Board International collegiate degree accreditation audits.

Ted Eickman, mechanic at Antelope Valley Station, retired after 31 years of service. He began working for Dakota Gas in 1983 as a technician III and eventually as a field technician.

In 1992, he transferred to Antelope Valley Station to work as a mechanic/welder and later as a mechanic.

Eickman says he has a lot of memories while working at Basin Electric and had the privilege to work with some of the best people, including ones with nicknames like “Big daddy” and “1/4 Roy.” Eickman notes that Doug Bjornson, a Basin Electric employee for 40-plus years, will always be special to him. “If I ever had a question about a piece of equipment, Doug had an answer,” Eickman says.

“At 71 years old, he has a great memory and love of his job. We could all learn a thing or two from Doug and his work ethic.”

Overall, Eickman would like to thank everyone.

“I’m honored to have been a part of it all,” he says.

After retiring, Eickman plans to hang around North Dakota and spend time with wife Mary, two children and five grandchildren, and friends.

Steve Crane, multimedia specialist II, retired from Headquarters Jan. 23 after 29 years of service. Crane was the person behind the camera at Basin Electric events and worksites, capturing memories in the making.

Crane’s favorite work-related memory involves attempting to take a nighttime exposure of a transmission tower west of Mandan, ND. Crane recalls positioning the camera beneath the tower to catch the stars spinning

around the North Star in the background. The moon rising in the east provided the light to expose the tower.

With the perfect backdrop and lighting in place, Crane realized he didn’t know how long to expose the photo.

“So I sat in the grass, on a hill, in the dark, slapping mosquitos for an hour and 15 minutes,” Crane says.

“The world turned, the stars tracing their arcs on the film. Sounds poetic. Actually I was cold, hungry, with the darkness collapsing around me.”

Then, just down the hill, coyotes howled. Unnerved, Crane stopped the exposure and returned to the safety of his car. The next day, he developed the film. “It was perfectly exposed,” Crane reports. “Any longer would have ruined it.”

Crane says that now, whenever he hears coyotes howl, he stops and listens. “They’re trying to tell us something,” he says.

During retirement Crane plans to travel and stay young by learning some new things. “Oh, and buy a camera of my own,” he adds.

Jerry Barker, water treatment operator at Laramie River Station, retired after 35 years of service. He started his career at Laramie River Station in 1979 as an auxiliary equipment operator. Prior to this, he served in the U.S. Navy for four years. Barker notes that while working at Laramie River Station, he enjoyed sharing stories with coworkers about his ser vice in Vietnam.

Dave Patterson, water treatment plan supervisor, says Barker was very dependable, rarely missed work, and believed in his job and doing it right. “Jerry was always willing to help if anybody needed it. He was very helpful to me, sharing the reasoning behind why we do some of the things at the water treatment plant,” Patterson says.

During retirement, Barker plans to fish, hunt and collect coins. He also plans to spend more time with his wife Anny and their five children and six grandchildren.

We will remember ...

Pat Donovan Pat Donovan, operations/maintenance supervisor at the Pioneer Generation Station, passed away Feb. 10, after a two-and-a-half month struggle with lung cancer. He was 56 years old.

Donovan was born Oct. 27, 1958, in Wabasha, MN, the second of seven children. Donovan graduated from Center High School in 1976. He then served four years in the Navy and later attended North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND, for welding and machining.

He had a long career in the power generation industry before joining Basin Electric in 2014 as an operation maintenance supervisor in Williston. From 1983 to 2006, Donovan worked at Otter Tail Power’s Coyote Station. In 2006, he and his family moved to Fergus Falls, MN, where he worked at Otter Tail’s Hoot Lake Station. They moved to Jamestown, ND, in 2012 and Donovan worked at the Otter Tail Power diesel peek turbines. He was in charge of the turbine in Jamestown and Lake Preston, SD. Kevin Tschosik, Basin Electric manager of distributed generation, says it was exciting to have Donovan on board at the Pioneer Generation Station.

“Pat brought instant leadership, was a real problem solver and a great person to talk to,” Tschosik says.

“Along with his background and skills, Pat was a great fit. He’ll be missed by all in the Basin Electric family who worked with him, as well as many others.”

Donovan is survived by his wife, LeeAnn; two daughters and sons-in-law, Lesli and Nathan Fiedler, Miranda and Phil Quast; two grandchildren, Tanner and Kylee Fiedler; his parents, Bert and Dorothy Donovan; two sisters, Mary (Jeff) Erhardt and Danette (Ron) Gardner; four brothers, Kevin (Mary) Donovan, Shane (Laurie) Donovan, Bob (Robin) Donovan, and David (Shannon) Donovan; and many loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents; and a niece, Katie Henderscheid.

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Happy Earth Day. Together with area Touchstone Energy® cooperatives, Basin Electric, began service to rural America long ago as our membership developed the hydroelectric and lignite projects that are the bedrock of the Midwest’s energy foundation. Today, we build on that strong legacy, with an energy portfolio diverse in wind, natural gas and zero-emissions waste heat. Our wind projects in North Dakota and South Dakota are examples of this commitment.

We believe being environmental stewards isn’t something we should just talk about. It’s what we do.

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