SDCEA Undergoes Personnel Changes to Support Regional Growth

It has been a busy time at SDCEA, and the operations department has undergone a number of changes to continue to serve our consumers during this time of regional growth in demand for electric services.

Buena Vista

Joel Garza has been named the engineering superintendent at SDCEA, a promotion from his former position of lead staking technician. Garza is “wearing a lot of hats,” Chief Operations Officer Bryon Stilley said. Garza will be in charge of department interactions with consumers, SDCEA’s engineering firm, staking design, large projects, and overseeing a paperless work order transition as well as the Geographic Information System (GIS) area.

Bill Hovanec is SDCEA’s lead GIS mapping person. He oversees all aspects of digital mapping at SDCEA, including infrastructure and outage management mapping. He will also oversee the drone inventory program and the direction of outside resources used in engineering projects.

Aaron McKinney has joined SDCEA, moving to the area from Texas and working out of the Buena Vista Office. He is in his second year of his lineworker’s apprenticeship.

Sean Weston worked for a private electric contractor in Loveland. He is now working out of the Buena Vista office on his first-year lineworker’s apprenticeship.

Westcliffe

Robert Tallent, SDCEA lead lineman, retired in January.

Corey Wagner, journeyman lineman in Westcliffe, was promoted to lead lineman in February.

Kenny Patterson, formerly a journeyman lineman out of the Westcliffe office, is now moving to a position in the company as a staking technician. Staking technicians are primarily responsible for the design of new services on SDCEA’s system, as well as service upgrades.

Bradon Baxter will be based in Westcliffe. He is originally from Sterling, and was formerly working for SDCEA’s electric contractor, Altitude Energy. His family has spent time in Westcliffe through the years, and he has always wanted to live in the area where his family owns property.

Anita White is now working as the Westcliffe custodian/warehouse person for SDCEA.

New to SDCEA