Utilities accomplishments Dan Westin

1. ACCOMPLISHMENTS ROCHELLE – Dan Westin
• Orchestrated more than thirty $ million in value creation in Public environment in less than 3 years:
Transmission Revenue Recognition ($1.85M/year as of 2016 planning year, $933000 in 2015 and increasing to $3.5
(est) M/year with Third line ), State and Private Grants ($ 500,000 solar - $ 50,000 DEED) , Renewable Energy
Credits in Bio-Gas and Solar ($ 350,000/year), (Identified money leaks in operating transfer from utility and from
Electric to Water-WaterRec)( Identified discrepancies in Bio-Gas contract with value creation of over $ 100,000),
(Corrected TO (COMED) charges with a value back to utility of $ 86,000), (Retained Carbon Credit asset
value$80,000 at risk during Bio-Gas plant ownership transition)(Reduction in abusive overtime at generation plant -
$60,000/year).
• Turned around Public Utilities executive customer relationships in less than 4 months
• Created strategy framework with positive bottom line impact in less than 90 days at public entity by utilizing
private industry and turn around consulting experience – Prepared Complete Strategic Plan
• Created full asset assessment of Electrical enterprise for complete understanding of critical issues with critical
lack of planning for depreciation and investment prioritization
o Prepared clear going forward recommendations to meet bond ordinances and liquidity requirements as
well as full tariff update process and meticulous correction of missing accounting protocol and chart of
account weaknesses
o Identified purchase order process lacking signature authority oversight which clearly had added to
untimely use of enterprise capital and liquid assets
o Drove Asset assessment of Tech Center to $8M including finding investors for an expansion
• Gained interest from three potential buyers of the transmission asset. Maximized asset value.
• Integrated RMU into PJM for increased reliability and forward planning
• Negotiated epic acceptance by COMED to plan a third line transmission for 2020
• Re-organized 9th
street generation plant with change over from an un-economic 24/7 continuous operation to a
battle ready peak shaving operation – Drastically reduced non-emergency overtime
• Re-planned day ahead scheduling to be data driven versus manually constructed – identified massive errors in
former scheduling operation
• Directed NIMPA Board as President for 1.5 years when former president died in car crash - changed board
relations from dysfunctional to team oriented
• Represented Rochelle on Prairie State Management Board 1.6GW generation plant – Created key relationships
– Mitigated Batavia issues re lawsuit and State law changes
• Project managed from start to end 312 kW Solar PV plant, first in utility.
• Improved safety and environmental compliance by identifying and eliminating non-compliant employee actions
• Positioned Utility as being lead on Renewable Energy in one year versus having coal plant
• Drove 12 MW re-plenishing of generation capacity after defining unacceptable availability status – Reformed
strategy on generation investments and operations
• Introduced Nationwide Outbound marketing of Utility including Technology Park with Data Centers
• Introduced a complete unique set of customer incentives driving demand response (VFD, AC tuneup, NEST,
Roof Top Unit, Solar rooftop, NICOR combo HVAC, ToU riskfree,
• Managed institutional memory and smooth transition when key superintendent retired after 36 years.
• Drove three rate studies, two being a full cost of service: Communicated changes to major customers, media
and council. Defined business model of rate analysis for kW Demand base vs kWh
• Identified issue with and drove resolution of dead accounts in Accounts Receivables being a sore spot for outside
financial reviewers
• Implemented GIS System in less than 9 months from entering organization
• Introduced and Implemented GIS as an Economic Development Marketing Tool
• Started Rochelle Sustainability Forum
• Reformed City’s 2Way radio crisis status to a workable emergency battle ready state
• Redefined City’s/Utility’s information positioning for Bond Analysts – Rewrote POS’s.
• Managed Utility Advisory Board process turnaround for Bond Industry value
• Created communications campaign with media regarding energy efficiency as well outreach to schools and
universities for internships through DEED scholarship
• Implemented Project Management tools with critical path tests
• Drove APPA RP3 Reliability award application with Platinum Award result
• FEMA trained to level 800
• Turned around contract of the Power purchase agreement for Bio-Gas energy from Landfill
• Implemented progress measured project management
• Achieved multiple awards for RMU – RP3 Platinum, Northern IL Renewable Expo Recognition, Chamber of
Commerce Green award, State of IL Governors Recognition, IMUA Reliability Award