NJ Future Sandy One Year Later Design LaRossa Oct 29 2013
Accomplishments RMU - Westin 5-24-16b
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