Deborah Mcendaffer Email & Phone Number

Salt Lake City, Utah

Responsible for analyzing the electricity providers compliance with cyber security and operations, and planning standards. Training electricity providers on standards and best practices. and oversight of a $5.5M budget and management of 31 FTEs.More specifically, I deliver consistent, impartial, and value-added assessments influencing internal and external stakeholders of the risks to the Bulk Power System by evaluating the Western Interconnection compliance with mandatory and enforceable Reliability Standards through comprehensive monitoring engagements, mitigation plan reviews, and proactive outreach. I developed a risk-based compliance oversight plan focused on the most critical requirements to reducing risk in the Bulk Power System to determine the timing, frequency, and scope of monitoring activities including Audit, Self-Certification, Spot Check, Investigation, Assist Visits, Complaints and Educational Outreach. I also directed a break-through project changing mindsets about reliability and security by changing conversations to reducing known and future risks, instead of a sole focus on compliance. In another mode, I transformed monitoring activities to value added activity benefiting the industry’s continuous improvement toward safe, reliable, and secure operations, rather than noncompliance and sanctions. I championed the culture transformation, delivering the reliability mission and provided professional fulfillment for an oversight staff with a focus on cultural tenets. I monitored activity metrics, including responsibility for audits, self-certifications, spot checks, investigations, assist visits, complaints, monthly education outreach and semi-annual outreaches.My impact continued as the Chair of the North American Electricity Coordinating Council Risk, Performance and Monitoring Group. I also created strong relationships with utilities companies, helping providers understand reasons for standards and how to improve processes and procedures.

Hays, Kansas

Here, I ensured compliance with standards and partnered with subject matter experts to prepare for audits, demonstrating compliance during audits and making sure policies and procedures in place. I provided thoughtful input and comprehensive support on the development and execution of the corporate strategy and policy while leading reliability and security initiatives. I also collaborated with other senior leaders on processes or organizational improvements. I led and provided technical skills to the reliability compliance program. Finally, I partnered with departmental managers, guaranteeing roles and responsibilities and compliance program accountability.

Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

Directed Reliability Compliance, Environmental Services, Project Management and Internal Audit departments. In this last role at Platte River, I created and launched a project management framework, adopted throughout the enterprise, improving project success and aligning projects to strategic initiatives. I developed and managed budgets and business plans for 4 departments. Lastly, I co-led the Colorado Utilities Coalition Clean Power Plan team cooperatively working with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and other stakeholders on a Colorado Rule.

Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

During these 5 years, I authored and executed the Platte River Reliability Compliance Program for the NERC and RRO reliability standards requirements. I led the first compliance audit in the WECC with zero violations, followed by a clean audit 3 years later. I also developed and implemented a successful Internal Compliance Program. I directed teams of organizational subject matter experts bringing documentation and evidence into a state of regulatory compliance for all applicable standards with an emphasis on Protection Systems, Vegetation Management, Emergency Operations and Facility Interconnections. Expertly, I testified on behalf of Platte River Power Authority on the Clean Power Plan before the Environmental Protection Agency and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

Responsible for the 24/7 operation of the transmission system and for scheduling of generation facilities within Platte River’s area of control, along with purchases from and sales to other entities. Also, responsible for developing and implementing switching procedures to maintain the safety of both personnel and property.