Ken Hartzell Email & Phone Number

Louisville, Nebraska, United States

Hired to fill the newly created position and unify all facets of the electrical department, with primary responsibility for electrical troubleshooting/repair, equipment retrofitting, and daily operations of the electrical maintenance department. Manage budgetary planning of major maintenance expenses, capital requests, and electrical department expenditures. Adopt and modify long-term strategies for electrical equipment preventative maintenance program, critical interlock identification, and critical spares. Ensure the safety and efficiency of the department with administrative attention to scheduling and PM creation and execution. Directly oversee one Electrical Supervisor and eight electricians.✔ Created and implemented a 460V motor ground continuity system with CMMS which allowed routing and coordination of 700+ assets to be tracked by asset, date, time, and recording of each testing result.✔ Spearheaded the process of identifying, labeling, and documenting lifting assets in the physical plant such as hoists, jibs, monorails/sectionals, and I-beams.✔ Developed an organized data management system for preparing assets for annual inspection with a PM system for these assets.

Transitioned into Foreman role from the Journeyman locomotive electrician position. Directly supervise shop craft employees to safely execute terminal/shop operating plan and to ensure that labor and equipment is properly inspected, tested, and repaired. Prepare and conduct job safety briefings with all employees, delivering frequent updates to the General Foreman. Schedule repairs away from the terminal to ensure that equipment is returned to service with efficiency. Apply technical support to apprentice employees.✔ Led the development of future divisional leaders as second shift on the job trainee for new supervisors.✔ Achieved an injury free track record for 10 consecutive years.✔ Spearheaded the coordination and development of ladder stop and CCb2 Lifter prototypes, a cost-saving initiative with tooling which helped to mitigate harmful exposure and increase efficiency.✔ Recognized as a solid cornerstone for shift production and for the General Foreman.✔ Assessed equipment damages and derailment recovery processes.✔ Ensured compliance with Association of American Railroads (AAR) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations as well as BNSF’s employment policies, safety rules, and scheduled agreements.

Managed electrical personnel who collectively performed a variety of electrical projects, attending to needs such as hiring, coaching, performance reviews, schedules, and general workflow. Prioritized expenditures and developed procedures for equipment maintenance. Evaluated plans for future buildings and inspected new buildings to ensure compatibility with existing electrical codes and maintenance standards. Prepared material and labor estimates. Monitored the acquisition and use of materials. Maintained organization documentation including payroll, work orders, and general shop records. Trained employees on new work methods/procedures and explained changes in safety regulations, work policies, electrical codes, and standards.✔ Demonstrated consistency in quickly learning new projects and concepts.✔ Ranked as one of the few managers within the company who was entrusted with coinciding projects.✔ Recognized for achieving the highest degree of safety standard understanding and practice.

ALDEN SYSTEMS, 2010 TYCO THERMAL CONTROLS, 2009 UNICCO INTEGRATED FACILITIES SERVICES, 2005-2006SHARED SERVICE SYSTEMS, 2004-2005 MILLER ELECTRIC COMPANY, 1999-2004 FEDERAL EXPRESS, 1999-2002WEYERHAEUSER PAPER COMPANY, 1997-1999MILLARD PROCESSING SERVICES, 1996-1997