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March 11, 2010 | Six AECI employees at Thomas Hill Energy Center receive Excel AwardsContact : Nancy Southworth 417.885.9246 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. presented the following Thomas Hill Energy Center employees with Excel Awards at its 17th annual recognition awards ceremony March 10 at the plant: Bert J. Amidei, Kimberly K. Dickerson, Robert E. “Joe” Hicks, Sharon K. Rustemeyer, Rebecca L. “Becca” Stapleton and Gregory K. Wybert. The recipients of these awards were nominated by their peers for excelling in their work at the power plant, which is owned by Associated. Amidei, journeyman mechanic, Bevier, received the 2009 Excel Award for Employee of the Year in a Vocational Field. He is part of the coal-handling maintenance crew that keeps conveyors, rotary car dumpers, chutes and other equipment moving 1,000 to 1,200 tons of coal an hour. Described as an “energizer bunny with a wrench,” Amidei was praised by a nominator for his patience and thoroughness in training less experienced employees and for his attention to safety. Dickerson, environmental coordinator, Moberly, received the 2009 Excel Innovative Action Team Award for her role on a team that also included employees from Associated’s headquarters and New Madrid Power Plant. She was responsible for onsite coordination of a test of refined coal late last year at Thomas Hill that reduced mercury emissions by about 90 percent and nitrogen oxide emissions by about 20 percent. A nominator praised the team for finding an innovative and low-cost way to “improve environmental performance while maintaining our position as the low-cost provider of electricity. … Were it not for their perseverance and willingness to think out of the box, this opportunity would never have been realized.” Dickerson is responsible for the plant’s regulatory compliance for air, water, hazardous waste, spill control and other environmental issues. Hicks, operations superintendent, Macon, was honored with the 2009 Excel Award for Distinguished Service. During his 33-year career, Hicks has worked in the coal yard, operations, dispatch and plant management at either Thomas Hill, Associated’s headquarters or New Madrid Power Plant. He was recognized for his ambition, ability, knowledge, loyalty and desire to make a positive difference. As a nominator said, “Joe is proof that sometimes the best way to move up is to start from the bottom and learn as you go.” Hicks directs about 76 people in the plant’s operations department. Rustemeyer, maintenance planning administrator, Salisbury, received the 2009 Excel Award for Outstanding Community Service. At Thomas Hill, she coordinates the cooperative’s fundraisers for Relay for Life events in Macon, Chariton and Randolph counties, as well as Christmas donations to families in need from those counties. She also represents Thomas Hill on the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce and is a project leader for her daughter’s 4-H Club, Chariton Shining Stars. A nominator said about Sharon, “She has proven herself to be a very valuable part of her community. Where there is need for a volunteer, she seems to always step up and take on the challenge.” Stapleton, office assistant III, Salisbury, received the 2009 Excel Award for Employee of the Year in a Secretarial or Clerical Field. She handles payroll and benefits paperwork for five departments; organizes the plant’s monthly wellness program presentations; and helps with fundraisers, charity drives and employee picnics. A nominator praised Stapleton for her organization, accuracy, positive attitude and strong work ethic -- “always done with a smile.” Wybert, a control room operator (CRO) with training, Moberly, was honored with the 2009 Excel Award for Employee of the Year in an Operational Field. In his 30 years at the plant, Wybert has a history of troubleshooting problems and improving operations. For example, he has developed several spreadsheets to collect critical data, most recently the locations of all power sources for every piece of equipment in the plant down to 120-volt power. A nominator said, “Greg tends to think very in-depth on an issue that he perceives to be a problem. He quietly goes about adapting processes that he uses to affect the workflow of the CRO. Then he shares this with the other CROs.” Note: Photos of Excel recipients available electronically. 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 its “Take Control & Save“ energy efficiency program, www.TakeControlAndSave.coop. AECI is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V Released: 11 March 2010 |
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