Yvonne Gildemaster is a Project Manager I in the PMO. Yvonne was most recently employed by Viaflex in Sioux Falls, S.D., as a Project Manager. | Alison Harper is a Mail Processing Technician in Powered Printing. Alison was most recently employed by M.Y. Life Health Center as a Licensed Massage Therapist and previously worked for the U.S. Postal Service. | |
Congratulations to Gregg (Telecomm. Operations) and Nikki Olson following the birth of their daughter, Dolly Tallulah Olson, on Easter Sunday!
Dolly weighed 8.8 lbs., and was 22 inches long at birth. Dolly joins a brother, Harlan (almost 2), at home.
| |
Dairyland EVP & COO Ben Porath participated in a GridForward Chats podcast, Can Small Nuclear Play a Big Role on the Grid? The podcast focuses specifically on the potential of small modular reactors (SMRs) to be a game changer during the clean energy transition. Ben was joined during the podcast by NuScale Power's EVP Clayton Scott.
Podcast description excerpt: The two discuss the promise of modular nuclear power, how these systems fit into a changing energy mix, cost, safety, grid resiliency, system flexibility and more. Will SMRs play a significant role on the grid in the next 10 years?
Dairyland and NuScale Power signed an agreement in 2022 for Dairyland to evaluate the potential deployment of NuScale’s SMR technology as a safe, reliable and carbon-free energy solution.
GridForward (Portland, Ore.) is a regional, member-based non-profit organization that brings together utilities, solution providers, government agencies, regulators, advocates and others to work together on making grid modernization a reality.
Click here for the podcast and here to play the promo.
|  | |
Director, Safety & HR Elizabeth Ressie and Manager, Corporate & Field Safety Ryan Kenealy are attending the Wisconsin Managers Meeting today in Mauston. Ryan (pictured) is presenting on Job Training & Safety (JT&S) to the cooperative audience.
Vice President, Generation Jeremy Browning is participating on a Customers First Coalition Power Breakfast panel on Thursday, April 13. Government Relations Manager Jennifer Shilling will serve as the Power Breakfast emcee.
The panel will bring together industry experts and policymakers to discuss: The Role of Nuclear Power in Wisconsin's Electric Generation Mix. NEI Senior Director, State Outreach Christine Csizmadia is the featured speaker. In addition to Jeremy, panelists include:
· Tom Content, executive director, Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin
· Paul Wilson, chair, UW-Madison Department of Engineering Physics
· Emily Pritzkow, executive director, Wisconsin Building Trades Council
· Moderator Ellen Nowak, former Wisconsin Public Service Commissioner
| |
Strategic Priority: Safety Culture
The second quarterly Safety Stand-Down meeting is on your calendar for Monday, April 17, at 9 a.m.
As a continuation of Dairyland's focus on safety and aligning expectations across the organization, quarterly Safety Stand-Down meetings were launched in January. The all-hands meetings will help maintain organizational focus on our #1 priority of Safety. Attendance is required by all employees with an expectation that the recording is viewed on the Breaker if you are unable to attend.
If you would like to review the Jan. 26 meeting, please click here for the recording.
|  | |
Please submit your electronic application through Workday Career:
Sr. Accounting Analyst (Internal/external until April 20) -
Perform accounting work requiring professional knowledge of theory and practice of recording, classifying, examining and analyzing the data and records of various financial transactions. Apply accounting principles and procedures to evaluate financial information, prepare accurate and timely financial reports and statements, and ensure appropriate accounting control requirements.
| As a convenience to employees, drop off and pick up dry cleaning service is offered weekly at the Administration Building. SewClean will now be coming on Tuesdays only (versus Tuesdays and Thursday). Items should be brought to the lobby; questions can be directed to Peggy Kimani (Administrative Services). | |
Executive Assistant/Human Resources at Jackson Electric for communications and administrative responsibilities.
Qualifications: Bachelor’s or associate degree in office management, human resources, business administration or related field preferred. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in administrative services or office management is required. Experience working with a Board of Directors is helpful.
Applications and more information is available at jackelec.com. Deadline to apply is May 1, 2023.
Lineworkers (2) at Barron Electric. One lineworker position will be stationed at the Barron office and the second line worker position location is yet to be determined. The line workers will be required to live in a 12-mile or 20-minute radius of the location in which they are to report. For more information and to apply, see barronelectric.com. Deadline to apply is April 25.
| |
"I can't wait for warm summer nights, outside on the patio."
*3,000 mosquitos liked your post*
| |  |
HEROES IN HARDHATS: THANK YOU, DAIRYLAND LINEWORKERS & CREWS! | |
Dairyland Strategic Priority: People First
Special deliveries were made to Dairyland crews by Communications & Public Relations Specialist Ellie Meyer and HRBP Ah Vang this week in celebration of National Lineworker Appreciation Day!
Dairyland's dedicated and highly skilled journeyman and apprentice lineworkers work safely in challenging conditions across our four-state service territory.
Field crews are an integral part of our critical work force. Transmission professionals deliver on Dairyland’s mission to power local communities by safely maintaining the complex infrastructure needed for a reliable supply of energy. Our line professionals span many areas and levels, including apprentice, journeymen, lead, foreperson, management and safety positions. Thank you all for your safe and essential work for Dairyland's members.
| LEADERSHIP ACADEMY: FOCUS ON SAFETY | |
Cooperative Principle #5: Education, Training & Information
To support continuous opportunities to grow, Dairyland held a Leadership Academy workshop for People Leaders on Monday. Fisher Improvement Technologies led a training session on the importance of Human Performance as part of a strong safety culture.
"Dairyland is a learning organization," said President & CEO Brent Ridge in his opening remarks. "We want a safety mindset, focused on 200% accountability, to be part of everyone's nature at Dairyland to make sure we go home in the same or better condition as we came to work."
Brent noted that in his review of safety-related incidents during the past two years, essentially all of them could have been prevented through awareness and
adherence to our Human Performance tools.
Brent also emphasized that attention to safety and HP Tools is critical both at work and at home. "Apply the same thought processes to tasks at home as you would at work. Safety tailgates are not just for the workplace. Our choices and what we do when we leave Dairyland for the day have a direct impact on our ability to work and enjoy life."
What is the Leadership Academy?
The Dairyland Leadership Academy is a growth and development learning experience. It is
designed to help develop employees into knowledgeable and effective leaders within Dairyland and our community. The Academy emphasizes leadership development, teamwork and personal growth. It includes three tracks for all employees: Member Experience, Employee Experience and Leadership Experience.
| KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON: DAIRYLAND & MEMBER CREWS WORK TOGETHER | |
We are all grateful for the restoration efforts by Power Delivery and System Operations personnel following severe weather events. One cause of service disruption and infrastructure damage that is less high-profile is animal contacts to equipment.
Recently, a raccoon caused a significant outage at Riverland Energy Cooperative’s Sand Lake Substation. Riverland is a Dairyland member cooperative based in Arcadia, Wis. Riverland’s power delivery crews responded to the incident and requested collaboration with Dairyland crews to access the damage and assist with repairs.
The substation was re-energized on April 6 after being offline for nearly two weeks following the animal contact, which damaged the power transformer, fusing, insulators and a feeder breaker. Riverland and Dairyland crews drafted a plan to minimize further power disruptions. The crews worked together to remove the damaged transformer and installed one from another Riverland substation that is receiving a new, larger transformer.
“It is remarkable the damage that can be done through a single animal contact,” said Supervisor, Electrical Maintenance Bob Ottaway. As with any incident, the first priority is for the safety of our crews and the public. “Dairyland Electrical Maintenance crews always perform tests on the transformer and other impacted equipment after a fault such as this, to be absolutely sure it is safe to re-energize.”
Incident prevention is a key effort, with utilities aiming to protect both wildlife and infrastructure. Bob notes that utilities now take multiple steps to “wildlife proof” fencing and gates; however, occasionally a determined animal may find a way through. “We have also started using animal guarding on specific items in the subs where animals seem to like getting into. Extensive animal guarding is used today when we upgrade the subs.”
Thank you to Dairyland and Riverland crews for your 200% accountability to safety, your skill and your collaboration to restore power to members!
Click here for video of the incident, captured by a citizen from a nearby business. The video underscores the importance of substation perimeter security.
| SHOP THE DAIRYLAND STORE FRONT | |
Shop online for Dairyland-branded items at the Dairyland Store Front, located on the Breaker! Employees can also navigate to the site under Employee Services>Total Rewards.
Purchases are now made simple through payment via payroll deduction. (Cash, checks or credit cards are not accepted.) Items will be delivered via interoffice mail as soon as payment is received. If you have questions, contact Patty Fetting (Communications and Member Services).
Returning soon: The Apparel Store will be reopened soon for spring shopping. Stay tuned for a date, which will be shared in Short Circuits.
Employees also have the option of purchasing any work-appropriate clothing on their own; once purchased, Patty can be contacted to coordinate Dairyland logo embroidery. The logo embroidery is provided at no cost to employees.
| RIM MONTH: TIME FOR SPRING CLEANING & DEPARTMENT OPEN HOUSE | |
Did you know? Up to 85% of an organization's stored content can be considered redundant, outdated or trivial according to Information Management experts.
Last week, we shared Gov. Evers' proclamation of April as RIM Month. Now that the weather feels like spring is really here, the RIM department recommends blocking time throughout the month to do some spring cleaning. This can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. It's a chance to build good habits while working more efficiently without so much clutter.
Need inspiration? Download the Spring Cleaning Kick Starter BINGO card on the Breaker News. At the end of the month, turn in your marked card (hard copy or via MS Forms) and receive one entry in the May 5 Prize Drawing for each BINGO you earned!
Legal Holds: Before you dive into Spring Cleaning BINGO, determine whether or not you are responsive to an ongoing Legal Hold and if so, what the scope of that hold covers so you can preserve that content. Also consider what retention requirements pertain to your role - or ask Dairyland's RIM team to clarify this for you as you come across things.
RIM Department Spring Open House: Meet the Team!
When: Wednesday, April 19, from noon - 3 p.m.
Where: Records & Information Management Department (next to the Riverside Café) in the Administration Building
Why:
- Meet the RIM Team
- Refreshments (soda, water, cookies)
- Ask Retention-related questions or advice
- See the Records Center if you've never been inside
-
Bring your shred material from work or home that is prepped and ready to be deposited into the blue bins
- Opportunity to pitch collaboration projects
- Provide input into training topics you need from RIM
- Participate to be entered into the door prize drawings
| NEW: 'YOU FIRST' WELLNESS PROGRAM! | |
Dairyland Strategic Priority: People First
You First is an extension to Dairyland’s wellness program. This program will feature a monthly wellness theme with a weekly focus in Short Circuits.
Monthly themes will center around three areas: physical wellness, mental wellness and financial wellness. This informational, relevant and fun series will put your wellness needs first and is part of what makes Dairyland a certified Great Place to Work.
Research shows that employees who are healthier tend to be more productive in the workplace because they’re more rested, energized and motivated to complete their work to the best of their abilities.
Beginning in May, employees will see a dedicated section in Short Circuits titled Power of You featuring weekly You First information. Each month will have a theme with information and education, events and activities, Go365 and WorkTango incentives, awareness features and more. There will also be a SharePoint site in the Total Rewards area of the Breaker where employees can conveniently access current and historic information.
Blood Drive: To kick-off our You First program, the May theme is Healthy Blood Pressure for Healthy Hearts. The first event will be a blood drive with the American Red Cross. The blood drive will be held at the La Crosse Service Center for Dairyland employees on Wednesday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please sign up to donate today at American Red Cross. More information will be sent out closer to the event.
| |
