Leroy Patterson Email & Phone Number

Ephrata, Wa, Us

Proven executive with extensive knowledge of electric system operations, SCADA and Energy Management Systems (EMS), regulations, and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) compliance programs. Has many contacts within the electric industry, and related reliability and regulatory community. Significant experience working with parties of diverse interest, mission, and goals to achieve collaborative solutions that provide beneficial and practical outcomes. Uses an entrepreneurial and innovative approach that involves and invests all parties while achieving stated goals. Many years of experience and skills in building coalitions with: (i) stakeholders, (ii) board members, (iii) end-use customers, (iv) state and federal regulatory agencies and, (v) IBEW collective bargaining units. He has demonstrated interpersonal communication skills to effectively communicate and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to: i) identify and understand needs and expectations, ii) build relationships and trust, and iii) propose collaborative and productive solutions that meet technical, legal, and business needs. Understands and uses technology to enhance efficiency and productivity.

Ephrata, Washington, United States

Ephrata, Washington

This work covers review and update of Bulk Electric System company-specific reliability-related tasks performed by System Operators at Grant and Chelan County PUDs to identify new or modified tasks for inclusion in training programs, design and development of learning objectives and training materials based on their respective task list, delivering training and materials to meet their objectives, and conducting an annual evaluation of the training program to identify any needed changes to the training program and implementing the changes identified.In addition, this position verifies capabilities of each operator to perform each assigned task as identified in this scope, and within six months of a modification of the BES company-specific reliability-related tasks. This includes verifying capabilities of each operator to perform new or modified tasks.

Redmond, Wa

This work covers review and update of Bulk Electric System company-specific reliability-related tasks performed by dispatchers (Load Office personnel) to identify new or modified tasks for inclusion in training programs, design and development of learning objectives and training materials based on PSE’s task list, delivering training and materials to meet PSE’s objectives, and conducting an annual evaluation of the training program to identify any needed changes to the training program and implementing the changes identified.In addition, this position verifies capabilities of each Load Office operator to perform each assigned task as identified in this scope, and within six months of a modification of the BES company-specific reliability-related tasks. This includes verifying capabilities of each Load Office operator to perform new or modified tasks.

Performed reviews of compliance programs at PacifiCorp, Tucson Electric Power Company, Southwest Transmission Cooperative, Inc., Snohomish County PUD, etc. This included simulating NERC/WECC audit conditions for these entities and providing feedback regarding the quality and effectiveness of documentation intended to show compliance with NERC and WECC standards. In addition to these simulated audit reviews, provided expert guidance related to technical aspects of operations and related compliance issues for Tucson Electric Power Company. At PacifiCorp, provided extensive assistance in identifying, gathering and cataloging documentation as they developed a compliance program. This entailed working nearly full time during the latter part of 2007, all of 2008 and 2009. This effort included providing suggestions to improve their compliance program by streamlining efforts and making the program more effective, as well as augmenting staff efforts to package information for their compliance program.

Direct responsibilities related to the Operating Committee and its projects, reliability coordination functions, information technology, member training, commercial support (Market Interface Committee), event analysis and reporting, readiness audits, contracting with vendors for multi-million dollar projects, implementing those projects, interfacing with the WECC Board, restructuring the WECC budget, presenting and seeking approval for the WECC budget from the Board, interfacing with members to develop consensus on controversial issues, performing the role of WECC Board Secretary, and being promoted from Director Operations and Training to Managing Director Operations in a little over a year with the WECC. Shortly after my departure and with the help of many volunteers, the WECC implemented two massive new reliability projects – the Western Interchange Tool and the West-wide System Model – and restructured its reliability centers to meet industry requirements and member expectations more effectively and efficiently. These three projects were part of my direct responsibilities at the WECC and were well-established before my departure.

These 18 years with the Montana Power Co. and its successor, NorthWestern Energy, provided steadily-increasing responsibilities in all aspects of transmission and control-center operations. This experience culminated in oversight of the company’s transmission operations department; which included all planning activities, real-time dispatch (electric and gas), and energy management system computer support. We achieved a major consolidation of dispatching functions, successfully, as we merged dispatch functions in two separate states into one office to capture significant cost savings. This consolidation involved one office with bargaining unit employees represented by the IBEW local 44. Other experience included all aspects of Balancing Authority Area operations, including operating joint-owned thermal units, directing and overseeing study efforts, and being the project manager that successfully implemented a new Energy Management System to replace an “in-house” design. Budgets for these activities ranged from $20 - $50 million per year under direct oversight. This experience included initiating transactions for short-term (less than a year) energy. This effort required innovative approaches to purchases and sales to meet reliability and economic goals as a vertically integrated utility and later as a Balancing Authority Area operating in a deregulated retail market without self-owned generation. Early experience included work as an operations engineer running load flow and stability studies using PSS/E to determine transfer limits; interfacing and negotiating with other entities related to contracts; creating programs to capture data, interface between computer systems, analyze data, and produce reports using Fortran, C, C++, PL/I, REXX, etc.; integrating internal hydro-electric and thermal resources with purchases and sales; etc.

Msee, Electrical Engineering

Bsee, Electrical Engineering - Power And Control Systems

Activities and Societies: Tau Beta Pi, IEEE