May 4, 2009 | AECI employees at Thomas Hill Energy Center receive Excel Awards

Contact : Nancy Southworth 417.885.9246

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPRINGFIELD, MO – Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. recognized employees who put forth that extra effort in 2008 during its 16^th annual Excel recognition awards ceremony April 28 at its Springfield headquarters. Employees at Thomas Hill Energy Center who received the cooperative’s prestigious Excel awards were: J. Mike Wilhite, control room operator with training; James O. Smith, senior engineer; C. Doug Marshall, custodian; David Miller, journeyman instrumentation technician specialist; and David L. Wilson, journeyman electrician specialist.

The recipients of these awards were nominated by their peers for excelling in their work at AECI’s Thomas Hill power plant, which produces affordable, reliable electricity for six regional and 51 local electric cooperatives serving member-consumers in Missouri, southeast Iowa and northeast Oklahoma.

2008 was a challenging year at Thomas Hill Energy Center as employees completed installation of environmental controls on all three generating units. Associated finished the nearly three-year construction of the $424 million environmental project in 2008 to improve air quality and meet new federal clean air regulations. Associated employees played a key role in the successful completion of the project, as noted in a number of the Excel award nominations.

Wilhite noted for his expertise in operations

Mike Wilhite was selected the cooperative’s Excel Employee of the Year in an Operational Field for his critical work to ensure systems were ready for operation of the new environmental controls at the power plant.

“Mike studied the equipment and systems to gain a better understanding of the process, and then using this new knowledge and his ability to see potential problems he would review and critique all the newly developed procedures that were required,” said one of Wilhite’s Excel nominators.

Mike joined Associated in 1986 as a laborer and advanced through operation’s ranks to control room operator with training. He’s a believer in staying “on top of your game” as an operator and never relaxing your focus on lifelong learning. “Some people get busy with extracurricular activities, and that’s fine, but I believe operations is a place where you need to be on top, because if something goes wrong you have only a certain amount of time to make a decision,” Wilhite said.

Another nominator said: “Mike absolutely sets high standards for himself and his co-workers. He does not accept status quo and closely monitors his unit for ways to ensure it is running in a reliable manner.”

Smith’s professionalism under pressure ensures success

Senior engineer James Smith found himself one of the point people at critical stages of the environmental controls installations. His focus and discipline during those installations earned him the 2008 Excel Award for Employee of the Year in a Professional Field.

Smith is responsible for the upkeep of instrumentation and controls, known as distributed control systems (DCS), on the units. On a daily basis, he programs the controls so they properly interface with equipment and consoles in the control room. When new equipment, such as the environmental controls, is installed, he’s responsible for validating it will run properly when the switch is turned on.

With major installations, it’s not unusual for schedules to get out of whack and delays to occur in receiving critical information. Staff must then put in long hours, under intense pressure, to ensure deadlines are not missed.

This happened three times in 2008, and Smith responded quickly and professionally to keep the project moving to meet the deadline. “James remained focused to accomplish the necessary checkouts and provided support for the operations department. He worked several hours to resolve issues without the finalized prints and drawings that would have simplified the process. He remained positive and dedicated … ,” his Excel nominator said.

Having worked in the contracting business before joining Associated in 2006, James said he’s learned to take such things in stride and work to get projects back on schedule. “You have to remain positive, … stay focused and organized, and if you need help, ask for it. Everybody here is willing to help and pick up the slack,” he said.

“Professionalism is all about getting something done correctly to the best of your ability,” James said. “I’m looking at the logic behind the control system that could cost multimillions of dollars if it went down, and most of all I don’t want to get anyone hurt.”

Marshall’s work ethic wins praise of co-workers

Less than two years into his job as a custodian in the Thomas Hill Energy Center coal yard, Doug Marshall has made his mark as a conscientious, tireless, resourceful employee. He is the recipient of the 2008 Excel Award for Employee of the Year in a Vocational Field.

Cleanliness at a power plant, particularly in the coal yard, is critical for safety due to low-sulfur coal dust being combustible. Marshall is keenly aware of safety, always wearing his personal protection equipment. “We appreciate his desire to follow safety procedures and demonstrate to others that he will operate and work safely when at the plant,” said one of Marshall’s nominators.

For Doug, keeping busy, following an orderly routine, taking pride in your work, whatever it is, and treating others with respect define his work style “The way I look at it, I’m working for my colleagues. … This is their place, and I want to make it comfortable for them,” he said, speaking of the approximately 30 coal yard workers. “I keep the bathrooms clean, keep supplies up, keep the floors swept. I don’t want people to tell me to do my job. I’m constantly looking at how to do things better for them.”

Doug’s co-workers said they appreciate his attitude of helpfulness and accommodation. A nominator said, “Doug always has a pleasant word for anyone who speaks to him, but he very seldom slows down when talking, always continually working at maintaining the areas assigned to him. He moves from one assigned location to another without any supervision and without any fanfare. We have grown to take him for granted, but hopefully this nomination will allow him some recognition and to show how much we appreciate him working with us in the coal yard.”

Miller’s instinctive reaction saves a life

On a train ride last year with his wife, Dave Miller, a journeyman instrumentation technician specialist at Thomas Hill Energy Center, struck up a conversation with an elderly couple at their table in the dining car.

“I looked up from my plate and realized the gentleman wasn’t talking and had a glazed look on his face,” Miller recalled, remembering that the two wives did not even realize the man was choking. “In the five seconds or less that I observed him, he slumped forward and tried to pat his back. … I went behind him and grabbed his abdomen and did the Heimlich maneuver twice. He coughed out the obstruction and said, 'I’m fine. I couldn’t breathe or get air.'”

And that was it. As other diners clapped and cheered, the four resumed their conversation and lunch and went on with their travels. His actions earned him Associated’s 2008 Commendation for Courageous Response, which recognizes employees who exercise initiative, judgment and resourcefulness in rescuing an individual and preventing harm.

“It was no big deal. It was over in a few seconds, and we didn’t talk about it afterwards,” Miller recalled. “I didn’t stop and think about the consequences. I just responded because I was trained to do so. If I’d thought about it, I probably would have been scared to act!”

Miller credits Associated for providing him the training that enabled him to act instinctively. He received training in first aid, CPR and the Heimlich maneuver during the 10 years he served on the fire rescue team at Thomas Hill Energy Center, and he has continued to take refresher courses. “It’s a blessing that we were able to learn those things,” he said. He encourages others to volunteer for the training and refresher courses: “If you get an opportunity to participate in first aid or CPR, you ought to take it seriously.”

Due to the remote locations of its power plants, Associated trains employees to respond to fire, medical and other emergencies to ensure the safety of its employees. Safety is the cooperative’s No. 1 strategic objective, and the cooperative’s combined injury rate for all locations of 2.79 is lower than the national average of 3.9 in the utility industry.

Referring to his Good Samaritan act, Miller said, “It was an experience to know you could do that for someone. It made you feel good to help someone.”

Wilson combines passion for tractors to help children

Dave Wilson combines his love of antique tractors and flywheels with the support of Associated Electric Cooperative and good causes in his community. This earned him Associated’s 2008 Excel Award for Outstanding Community Service, which is one way Associated shows its support of employees working in their communities.

Wilson, a journeyman electrician specialist, loves Allis Chalmers tractors. Growing up, he said he didn’t realize there were any other makes of tractors.

Seven years ago, he read an article in the statewide electric cooperative magazine “Rural Missouri” about a summer camp for kids with cancer called Camp Quality. What got his attention was a Show Me Tractor Cruise to raise money for the camp. So Wilson and a buddy signed up, and each year Wilson raises at least $1,000 by driving one of his 15 Allis Chalmers tractors 50 to 80 miles in a route near Savannah, Mo., north of St. Joseph. As many as 380 tractors have participated in some years.

One day, Wilson remembered, after a tractor cruise, a young man shook his hand and said, “My little brother goes to that camp. That’s the highlight of his year.”

“That sold me,” he said. “I think of that every year.” He said the entire tractor route is lined with people in small towns and in the front yards of farmhouses, cheering and waving the riders on. “I see that, and when I think I can’t sit another hour, I’m not quite so tired,” he said.

Wilson also combines his love of flywheels, used to power old steam tractors and other machinery, with community service. Every July, the Macon County Flywheel Club hosts a show with tractor and flywheel entries from all over the state and nearby states. Wilson, club vice president, uses his vacation time to help with the four-day show, which is a boost to the local economy, his nominators said.

Wilson said Associated has provided him with good pay and benefits, and he said he believes people should give back to their communities in some way. “Having one of the better-paying jobs in this part of the country, I can afford to do things that others can’t. I use my good fortune to help other people,” he said, giving credit to his parents and grandparents for his service attitude.

Wilson recommends combining volunteering with a personal interest or passion. He said, “Associated will do their best to work with you and help you help others. They definitely do not discourage that.”

Photos available on request.

Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. is owned by and provides wholesale power to six regional and 51 local electric cooperative systems in Missouri, southeast Iowa and northeast Oklahoma that serve more than 875,000 customers. AECI’s mission is to provide an economical and reliable power supply and support services to its members, including the new “Take Control & Save” energy efficiency program, www.TakeControlAndSave.coop. AECI is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

Released: 04 May 2009

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