flash magazine jan-feb 2010

Health Screenings

New in 2010

by

From the Editor

She joined OPPD in 1989 as Flash editor – a position she held through 1993.

Paula’s work as Flash editor, and as supervi-sor of Publications from 1993 to 1998, resulted in numerous awards and recognition for page design, photography and writing.

That got me thinking about my accom-plishments between 1989 and 1998. So here’s the short list. No big deal.

1989 – Turned 8 years old1991 – Won a few trophies for violin performances at the Nebraska Summer Music Olympics1993 – Kissed a girl1994 – Turned 13 years old1996 – Sold my violin, bought a station wagon1998 – Qualified for the Nebraska State Track Meet in the 1600-meter run (beat three people)

So as you can see, Paula’s and my experi-ences are pretty much the same. So I’m not worried about the direction of the publication in the slightest.

The ideas, passion and skills Paula brings to the table will serve Flash well, going forward.

In fact, she was the mastermind behind Flash’s redesign, which was revealed with the January 2008 issue.

We’re excited with our new roles and direc-tion in our division, and I believe the work we put out in 2010 will reflect that.

Flash feedback or ideas? Please let me know:Django Greenblatt-Seay

[email protected] (402) 636-3754

Now You See Me, Now You Don’tThis is my 43rd and final issue as editor of

Flash. But this is not goodbye. In fact, I’m not

even leaving my desk. Like all other areas of the company, Corporate Communications is changing to fit the proverbial glove.

I’ll still write a Flash story here and there, and help out with photography or wherever else I’m needed. But most of my efforts will be directed toward pitching in with OPPD News (ON) – the newly designed and beefed-up news source that replaced Today’s News this month.

Paula Lukowski will become the new Flash editor, a role not really new to her at all.

Maybe if you had given them

ears...

I warned them about the snow storm

but they wouldn't listen.

January/February 2010 Flash 1

Vol. 90, No. 1, January/February 2010Published every two months by the Corporate Communications Division, Flash magazine provides Omaha Public Power District employees and retirees with industry- and job-related news, as well as feature articles.

Editor ............................................Django Greenblatt-Seay Associate Editor .............................................. Vicker SykesCreative Director .......................................... Joe Comstock

Contributing StaffChris Cobbs Jeff Hanson Mike Jones Paula Lukowski Laurie Zagurski Terry Zank

To contact the editor, please call 402-636-3754, sendan email to [email protected], or write to OPPD, Flash, 3E/EP1, 444 S. 16th St., Omaha, NE 68102.

Senior ManagementW. Gary Gates ...............................................PresidentDave Bannister ......................................Vice PresidentTimothy J. Burke ...................................Vice PresidentEdward E. Easterlin ...............................Vice PresidentAdrian J. Minks .....................................Vice PresidentDale F. Widoe ........................................Vice President

Board of DirectorsFred J. Ulrich .......................... Chairman of the BoardJohn K. Green ................ Vice Chairman of the BoardJohn R. Thompson .........................................SecretaryN.P. Dodge Jr. ................................................ TreasurerMichael J. Cavanaugh .......................... Board Member Geoffrey C. Hall ................................... Board MemberAnne L. McGuire. ................................. Board MemberDel D. Weber. ....................................... Board Member

ReportersRandy AlsmanKim BarnesKarma BooneKatie BrennemanJoanne BrownJudy BruggerJeannie CoreySharon Dickman Rebecca FinnKelly FlemingAnne ForslundJennifer GardnerKaren GertzNatalie GingNancy GoddardBarbara GullieJill HanoverEd Howell Traci Hug

Sharon Jefferson Debbie JensenKarissa Johnson Terri KellyShelley KendrickMelinda KentonSuzanne KrajicekBecky KrugerJulie KuhrSharon MelodyDoug MickellsJamie MooreShawn MooreShelly MruzBeth Nagel Karen NelsonChris Norris Rick PerrigoTrudy Prather

Pam PriceLana PulverentiHeather RawlingsKathy RoyalTerri SaladoChris SarnowskiPeter Schiltz Diane SchroderKaren SchuttJim ShipmanKathy StolinskiVince TimmermanDennis VanekDawn VarnerJoyce Wray

2 Frontline: Sea Change/See ChangeThe sea change in the economy was a drag on OPPD’s budget in 2009, and the 2010 budget does not see that tide turning greatly. So, what do you say when your family, friends or neighbors ask you about the year ahead for OPPD? 4 Changing with the TimesAs part of its effort to provide information to employees and retirees in a timely, cost-effective way, Corporate Communications is making some changes to Flash and Today’s News.

6 Health Screenings Coming SoonThe OPPD Wellness team is introducing SimplyWell, an Omaha-based health solutions organization, which will provide an online personal health record and action steps for active employees who take part in OPPD’s 2010 health screenings.

8 Fresh from the AcademyTom Richards’ life took an exciting turn last fall, when he was invited to participate in the FBI Citizens’ Academy – an eight-week course with the primary mission of forging deeper ties between the FBI and community leaders across the U.S.

10 Reporters’ Notes

14 People

17 Birthdays

On the cover: The OPPD Wellness team is introducing

SimplyWell, which will improve OPPD’s health

screenings for active employees.

16

16

2 Flash January/February 2010

So, what do you say when your family, friends or neighbors ask you about the year ahead for OPPD? Tell them it will be one of change because there is little choice but to change. That is reflected in the Corporate Operating and the Capital Expenditure Plan.

“Employees will be asked to focus on neces-sities,” said Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Edward Easterlin. “We all will need to be creative in finding ways to manage operations and limit expenditures.”

The sea change in the economy was a drag on OPPD’s budget in 2009, and the 2010 budget does not see that tide turning greatly. The easiest place to see this tidal shift is in OPPD’s off-system sales. When OPPD customers don’t need

all of its generating capability, we can sell power to customers out-side of our system and bring that revenue back to our bottom line.

The economy put such a dent in business activity that most other utilities didn’t need to buy power from us. For the few that did buy power, the law of supply and demand took hold and the price we received for that electric-ity dropped. At the same time, costs went up, thanks to the coal

and transportation contracts from 2008.OPPD was delivering as much or more off-

system energy in 2009 than in 2008, but netting about $46 million less than the 2009 budget, according to the latest projection. In 2010, we expect that number to be better, but still around $31 million less than our off-system margin

(price received minus the cost of production) was in 2008. The latest rate increase that goes into effect this month is expected to generate about $35 million.

The econom-ic downturn also caused local businesses to delay size-able projects that would have used elec-tricity. Some also switched from electricity to natural gas for their boilers when the price of gas dropped. While the cooler-than-normal summer didn’t help revenues, it was down the list of problem-causers for 2009.

For 2010, as in other years, the budget is based on normal weather as well as some of the companies bringing their postponed projects on line, which should help retail revenues. The plan sees a 4.6 percent increase in general busi-ness energy sales and a 10.7 percent increase in operating revenues from projected 2009 num-bers. Operating revenues are expected to exceed one billion dollars for the first time in OPPD’s history, coming in at $1,005,595,000.

As the economy softened in 2009, OPPD saw the amount of interest income it received decline from $33 million to about $21.7 million for two reasons.

Off-system energy sales netted about $46 million less than the 2009 budget

Costs went up, thanks to the coal and transportation contracts from 2008.

Frontline

Sea Change/See ChangeSea Change/See Change


“Interest rates have declined considerably,” Edward said. “Cash lev-els also declined below the amounts maintained in prior years, so we also had less cash available to earn interest on.”

Anyone with a savings account can attest to the drop in interest being paid, and having less cash available was part of a longer term plan for OPPD.

When Nebraska City 2 was under construc-tion, OPPD had cash or agreements with banks to provide cash quickly to operate the com-pany for more than 400 days to ensure OPPD’s operations and that capital plans could be implemented if unfavorable business condi-tions developed. With NC2 completed and on line, the need for that much cash or its equiva-lent has diminished. The 2010 budget projects having about 85 days of cash on hand, a figure reached after a risk-based liquidity analysis was completed by OPPD finance staff members. The current days cash on hand amount is aligned with a more normal level of annual capital expenditures.

Also returning to a figure much closer to normal is the amount of bonds OPPD intends

Regulatory mandates related to work hours at Fort Calhoun and to cyber security are drivers in the 2010 budget.

to issue in 2010, $100 million. After years of issuing bonds to pay for the refurbishment of Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station and to build NC2, the need to go to the financial markets has diminished. The $100 million is similar to 2008’s $105 mil-lion, but far less than the $470 million issued in OPPD debt in 2007.

2010 will be Nebraska City 2’s first full year of operation,

so its expenses will increase in the 2010 budget.

Regulatory mandates related to work hours at Fort Calhoun and to cyber security are also drivers in the 2010 budget.

Some may have questioned the timing of bringing a new power plant on line, with demand for electricity dropping. The timing was set seven years ago, when studies showed the need for a new baseload coal-fired plant.

“Nebraska City 2 is a great as-set,” said Edward. “It is a great generating facility that was constructed at a favorable cost, and it sets us up for success for many years.”

OPPD is not alone with its challenges in the utility world this year.

“Current economic conditions have negatively impacted many utilities across the country,” said Edward. “We are a capital-intensive industry, with many fixed costs.”

A high level of fixed costs, like bond payments and certain other expenses, mean when times get tough, you either have to find ways to bring in more rev-enue or reduce spending in other areas you have remaining.

So, as employees look to 2010, they will see change all around them. In fact, they will not only be a part of it, but they will drive it.

By Jeff Hanson

By the numbers Increase from 2010 2009 ProjectionIncomeOperating revenues $1,005,595 10.7% ExpensesOperations and maintenance (O&M) $732,281 11.0%Total operating expenses $883,154 10.5%Payments in lieu of taxes $27,366 9.9%GenerationTotal net generation 15,651,500 MWH 3.3%RatiosDebt-to-equity 50.6%Senior debt – Debt service coverage 2.49All debt – fixed charge 1.83

2010 will be Nebraska City 2’s first full year of operation, so its expenses will increase in the 2010 budget.


As part of its effort to provide information to employees and retirees in a timely, “green,” cost-effective way, Corporate Communications is making some changes to Flash and Today’s News (OPPD’s daily intranet newsletter). Starting with this issue, Flash is being published every other month. The next issue published will be for

Today’s News Moves ON Today’s News was created in

1999 as part of a redesigned

OPPD intranet home page.

Today’s News gradually replaced

This Week, which debuted in

1984 as a weekly printed publica-

tion used to supplement Flash

content.

With OPPD News (ON),

Corporate Communications will

expand its use of brief videos

and more photos to help share

information as it happens.

Changing with the TimesMarch/April. On Jan. 4, Today’s News is transitioning to OPPD News (ON), which will feature a new look and expanded content, including more video stories and links to Flash and Reporters’ Notes.In this age of 24/7 news coverage, moving more news stories from a printed magazine to the

Health Screenings

NEW 2010

by

Flash goes bimonthly, OPPD News replaces Today's News.


OPPD intranet will enhance the timeliness of our internal communications. In these times of aiming green and reducing budgets, publishing hard copies of Flash six times a year will cut in half the paper used and the money spent for printing and mailing.

What about Reporters’ Notes? Starting Feb. 1, we will publish Reporters’ Notes online only, via a link from OPPD News on the intranet. This will give employees and their area’s reporters more space to share info.

Publishing Reporters’ Notes online means Corporate Communications will no longer need to edit text for length or use photos smaller than we would like just to fit every-thing on the page. We will not be forced to hold over excess information from month to month. Best of all, our readers will be able to access and save Reporters’ Notes columns and photos on their home computer. Later in 2010, we plan to enable you to share short videos as part of these notes.

How Do I Get There from Home? Starting Feb. 1, retirees and employees who wish to access OPPD News and certain benefits information from their home computers will be able to do so through a new secured-access intranet portal. The new portal is a parallel project initiated and being implemented by Information Technology. Our thanks to IT for making all of this happen. To access this portal from home starting Feb. 1, type oppdathome.com (make sure to spell out the word, “at”) in your Internet browser, then follow the instructions for creat-ing a user ID and password. This user-friendly portal will feature an easy way to reset a forgot-ten password. With these changes, Corporate Communica-tions remains committed to providing employ-ees information that is timely, relevant and practical. We are excited about the challenge of doing so in new and different ways.

By Terry Zank

Health Screenings

NEW 2010

by

Flash Gets Focused Flash is older than OPPD. The magazine was first published by the Nebraska Power Company in December 1921. The first issue consisted of four 6-inch by nine-inch pages. Over the years, Flash grew in the size and number of its pages. During the Great Depres-sion, Nebraska Power discontin-ued the magazine for three years, due to cost-cutting measures. It returned in February 1936. When OPPD was formed in December 1946, the new utility continued Flash. The magazine has been redesigned several times since then, adding full-color cov-ers in 2000 and full-color pages throughout in 2008. (By the way, with today’s printing methods, using full color costs no more than using one or two “spot” colors in the layout.) As Flash continues to evolve as a bimonthly publication in 2010, look for more in-depth stories and ongoing enhancements to the magazine’s look and feel.


The OPPD Wellness team is introducing SimplyWell, an Omaha-based health solutions organization, which will provide an online personal health record and action steps for active employees who take part in OPPD’s 2010 health screenings. The screenings start in February and take the place of the health fairs offered previously. There will be no vendor booths at the screenings. “We’re excited about what SimplyWell will bring to the table,” said Angela Siebert, well-ness specialist in Human Resources. “In addi-tion to getting an online personal health record based on their screening, employees will receive personalized suggestions from SimplyWell for actions they can take to pursue and maintain overall good health. “They also will gain access to SimplyWell’s website, which is packed with practical health information,” Angela continued. “Founded by

doctors at The Nebraska Medical Center, Simply-Well provides sound medical advice that is clini-cally based.”

Employees Get $50 Visa Gift Card Employees who register for a health screening will receive basic blood work (lipid panel) for free, and will have their height, weight and blood pres-sure collected. Employees who complete an online Health Risk Assessment (HRA) prior to their screening and who take part in a screening will receive a $50 Visa® gift card. Starting Jan. 11, employees can visit simplywell.com to choose a screening date and access the online HRA, which must be completed before their screening. On their first visit to the SimplyWell website, employees should click on Register, type in OPPD,

Health Screenings Coming Soon

Health ScreeningsNew in 2010

by

Get a Healthy Start on the New Year!


followed by their employee number (e.g., oppd12345), and follow the instructions. If they have problems registering, they should contact their wellness representative, as listed on the screening schedule below. As in past years, all medical information col-lected is subject to HIPAA privacy laws and will be kept strictly confidential. OPPD personnel will see only overall group results, which will be used to help provide relevant wellness program-ming to employees.

Employee Spouses and Retirees Employee spouses and retirees are welcome to take part in a screening on a walk-in basis, but they will not have access to the SimplyWell website. Their results will be mailed to their home within seven days. Spouses and retirees are not eligible for a gift card. Their cost for the lipid panel is $26. Employee spouses are to pay via the employee’s payroll deduction and retirees will need a check payable to OPPD.

Additional Blood Tests Additional blood tests, such as PSA (prostate), Hemoglobin A1c (diabetes), TSH (thyroid) and CRP (inflammation) also will be available, which employees can pay for via payroll deduction. These tests also may be eligible for 100 percent reimbursement via medical insurance. Full details and forms will be available at the health screen-ings. During these times of cutting budgets compa-nywide, it’s important to note that even with this new relationship with SimplyWell, Wellness is go-ing into 2010 with a reduced operating budget. In addition, health screenings are a proactive way to help detect or prevent health conditions, which is good for everyone and cost-effective in the long run.

By Terry Zank

Cholesterol Testing/FastingCholesterol tests will be administered via blood draw from your arm.

To ensure accurate results, you are required to fast 12 hours prior to testing. Only water should be consumed.

Refrain from fatty foods and alcoholic beverages 2-3 days prior to testing.

Continue to take all prescribed medication during the fasting time period.

Three days after employee screenings, test results and a personalized action plan will be available online at simplywell.com.

Date Time Location Wellness Rep February 16 7:30-9:30 a.m. Papillion Center Brian Dvorak 552-5310 February 18 7:30-10 a.m. Syracuse Center Jan Barton 552-4047 / Chris Ryan 557-1486 (pager)February 23 7-9 a.m. North Omaha Roger Perrigo 636-2746February 25 6:30-9:30 a.m. Energy Plaza Jerryce Hankins 636-3119 / Melissa Hansen 636-3339March 2 6:30-9:30 a.m. Fort Calhoun Lori McEvoy 533-6533 / Amy Hansen 533-6679March 4 6:30-9:30 a.m. Elkhorn Center April McClemons 552-4961 / Deb McDonnell 514-1617March 9 7-9 a.m. Nebraska City Patty Coates 514-8143 / David Hume 636-8143March 11 7:30-9:30 a.m. Omaha Center Jeremy Bryant 552-5452March 16 7-10 a.m. Energy Plaza Jerryce Hankins 636-3119 / Melissa Hansen 636-3339March 17 6:30-8:30 a.m. North Omaha Roger Perrigo 636-2746March 18 6:30-8:30 a.m. Nebraska City Patty Coates 514-8143 / David Hume 636-8143March 23 6:30-9 a.m. Fort Calhoun Lori McEvoy 533-6533 / Amy Hansen 533-6679March 25 6:30-8:30 a.m. Energy Control Ctr. Jackie Jensen 552-5629March 30 7-9 a.m. Elkhorn Center April McClemons 552-4961 / Deb McDonnell 514-1617April 1 TBA TBA (To be announced, if needed.)

Employees who cannot attend one of the OPPD onsite health screenings, as listed below, will have the option to have their blood work done at Bergan Mercy or Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha. This must be done by March 31. For details, call one of the OPPD wellness specialists, Angela Siebert at 636-3058 or Dave Williams at 636-3374.


go along with the team-building and exposure to the FBI’s multiple functions.

It’s not every day that a lobbyist takes part in a video SWAT simulation, blasting away at bad guys engaged in a wrestling match with FBI agents. And it’s not part of the job descrip-tion to spend time on a live firing range with the latest weapons, like an MP9 submachine gun and M4 carbine.

“We live in a relatively close-knit com-munity in Omaha and southeast Nebraska,” Tom said. “But we still need to be vigilant and aware because there are two nuclear plants, a major Air Force command, and a major railroad hub.

“We are in a relatively safe area relating to terrorism, but we are not in a safe area when it comes to gang activity. There are significant gangs in Omaha, and the FBI is attempting to break them up.”

The focus of the eight-week FBI Citizens’ Academy Tom attended in September and October was critical infrastructure. Among various Omaha-area officials also attending were a bank president, a parole board member, a newspaper editor and several individuals from Offutt Air Force Base.

Participants are selected by their local office and must pass a background investigation. Classes are taught one night a week for eight to 10 weeks and typically cover a range of topics: services the FBI provides to local law enforcement agencies, firearms training, and future trends in law enforcement and intel-ligence.

Tom, who has been with OPPD for 20 years, has a degree in law enforcement and correc-tions, and previously worked for the Sarpy County Attorney’s Office.

Tom Richards spends much of his time roam-ing the halls of state government, meeting with legislators as an advocate for OPPD’s interests.

Close knowledge of the utility business, plus a persuasive way with words, are Tom’s primary tools as a lobbyist in Lincoln.

His life took an exciting turn last fall, when he was invited to participate in the FBI Citizens’ Academy, an eight-week course with the primary mission of forging deeper ties between the FBI

and community leaders across the U.S.As part of the exercise in building goodwill and

relationships, Tom collected business cards from the lead agents in the Omaha field office.

“I would work with our security personnel to facilitate a call if I thought there was something going on that could be a threat to our critical infrastructure,” Tom said.

But there was also plenty of physical action to

Fresh from the Academy

Tom is pictured front and center with other graduates of his citizens’ academy class. The FBI graduates two classes each year.


“The Bureau’s key message is: ‘We are the FBI, this is what we do, if you have issues or problems, you can call us,’ ” Tom said.

Although there were some exciting mo-ments during his participation in the citizens’ academy, Tom’s ongoing role doesn’t involve getting out in the field and tracking down or fighting terrorists.

“The FBI has created an intelligence-gath-ering function, and part of that requires good contacts in the community,” he said.

“The FBI has young people with a military background and information technology ex-pertise. They are the ones gathering informa-tion for a central data repository.”

Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the emphasis of the citizens’ academy has been on forming tighter relationships between the FBI and business and critical infrastructure of-ficials across the country.

Tom, who has lived in Bellevue all his life, vividly recalls 9/11 and a sense of unease about the potential vulnerability of OPPD infrastruc-ture in the vicinity of Offutt.

“On 9/11, my wife called me at the office

and said she saw fighter jets in the air around the base, so I figured the president would be flying here,” Tom said. “I was here at work, and I can remember looking out the window and seeing Air Force One passing by.”

As a precaution, Tom called OPPD Corpo-rate Security and urged them to call the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office regarding the presence of power lines, transformers and substations around Offutt. “Back then, nobody had really thought about whose job it is to defend the OPPD infrastructure,” Tom said.

Since 9/11, officials around the country have worked to coordinate plans for defense of criti-cal infrastructure in cities and towns all around the country. The FBI Citizens’ Academy is just one element among many others involved in security procedures.

In the future, OPPD hopes to have another individual attend the FBI Citizens’ Academy. “It’s all about the trust factor between a com-pany and the FBI,” Tom said. “I’m part of the collaborative effort between the FBI and the community.”

By Chris Cobbs

Tom accepted his class graduation certificate from Assistant Special Agent Edward W. Reinhold.

The FBI’s citizens’ academy class got a first-hand example of the bureau’s weapons. Tom is pictured with an MP9 at the Lincoln Police firing range.


Reporters’ Notes

Fuels, Energy Marketing & TradingBy Dawn VarnerRon Boro’s daughter, Jessica Grosse, called Ron one Friday morning and told him to meet her at the Weep-ing Water Airport the next morn-ing. Jessica and Ron had previously talked about making a parachute jump, but nothing really serious. Saturday was the day! They signed up for a tandem jump (coach, plus student) with the Lincoln Sport Parachute Club. After a briefing/training session, they geared up into jumpsuits and loaded into a small single-engine plane. At 10,000 feet, the door to the plane opened with a loud roar and Jessica and her coach disappeared into the wild blue. Right after that, Ron and his coach followed them out. As they free-fell for 31 seconds, the roar of the wind was incredible. At 5,000 feet, with their airspeed at 131 MPH, Ron deployed their parachute. With a mighty jerk, they started to effort-lessly drift back down to terra firma.

Ron said it was really quiet on this part of the descent. They could talk to each other just like they could back on the ground. The view was spectacular as they made turn after turn, and they could see downtown Omaha about 40-45 miles away. After about 10 minutes, it was

time to land. Ron watched Jessica and her coach make a very smooth landing. Ron and his coach came in on a steeper angle and landed fairly hard and stuck like Velcro. Both Ron and Jessica said it was an abso-lutely fantastic experience and they may do it again in the spring.

El-Po-CoBy Chris NorrisOn behalf of your board of directors, Happy New Year… The Winter Din-ner/Dance is just around the corner on Saturday, Jan. 9, at the Embassy Suites, La Vista. Social hour and check-in begin at 5:30 p.m., with the ballroom opening at 6:30 p.m. and dinner being served at 6:50 p.m.… Welcome new members Matt Hardebeck, Aron Peetz and Mahmood Safi… Officers for 2010 are: Chris Norris – president, Tom Muff – vice president, Dave Huston – secretary and Todd McLochlin – treasurer… Dates for other 2010 outings will be published at a later. I hope to see you at the Embassy Suites on Jan. 9.

Customer Information & AccountingBy Karen Nelson & Barbara GullieThanks to the generosity of every-one in CAR/CIS/CIS IT, an addi-tional two full boxes of toys were filled for donation to the Toys for Tots drive. A big thank you to Marni Halford and Jerry Partusch for coordinating this year’s efforts, including the collection of toys, coordination of the fundraiser, and especially for doing all the toy shopping for everyone. The spirit of giving was shown in many dif-ferent ways in our area this season, including a food drive for an area school, adoption of families for holiday giving and volunteer bell ringing. Happy holidays and best wishes to everyone. OPPD presented a check for $17,000 to the Heartland

Chapter of the American Red Cross at the Dec. 17 board

meeting. The money represents funds raised during the EAP

Online Auction, coordinated by Corporate Communications

to benefit the Energy Assistance Program. The program pro-

vides emergency aid to elderly, disabled and other needy cus-

tomers who are experiencing difficulties and need help with

their energy bills.

OPPD Helps Red Cross with Emergency Aid

Syracuse CenterBy Kathy RoyalIn August, retiree Ron Kimes (far right) and friends rode through Poudre River Canyon in northern Colorado, then to Yellowstone Park, then to Bozeman, Montana, and back to Beartooth Pass. They had beautiful weather except for hail at Beartooth… This year there were 57 toys donated for Toys for Tots at the annual toy drive held at Mad Cow Paintball, owned by Bill Metzger.

Nuclear EngineeringBy Julie KuhrChuck Tack’s son, Chuck, who played football for the Nebraska Wildcats, was honored as Kicker of the Year by the North American Football League.

Tina Price, CEO of the Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross, is pictured accepting a check from OPPD Chairman of the Board Fred Ulrich and President Gary Gates.


FCS ChemistryBy Jim ShipmanJim Shipman’s son, Jonathan, graduated from UNL with a degree in electrical engineering on Dec. 19.

Environmental & Regulatory AffairsBy Terri KellyIgor Cherko’s daughter, Vanessa, graduated from UNO in December with a bachelor’s of science degree in education with a focus on com-munity health. Her post-gradua-tion plans are to either become a paramedic or lead a corporate well-ness program.

Meter Reading/CollectionsBy Ed HowellPatty and Ed Howell’s grandson, Connor Fox, 12, is proud of bagging his first buck. Connor shot the buck while hunting just west of Niobrara State Park.

Corporate CommunicationsBy Laurie ZagurskiOur condolences to Paula Lukowski on the loss of her par-ents, Luther and Rita Thompson. May we all learn something from their love and dedication to each other... Judi Martin accepted a Paper Anvil Award of Merit on behalf of OPPD for the 2009 Heartland Walk for Warmth. And Joe Comstock accepted the same award on behalf of OPPD for the 2008 Annual Report.

North OmahaBy Terri Salado and Vince TimmermanRoger Parkison and two members of his climbing team were participants in a medical fundraiser for Andy Gunter’s son, Casey. They trained for three months to climb Mount Quandary in the 10-mile range near Breck-enridge, Colo. The summit is 14,265 feet above sea level. It was a class-one climb and very physical, with wind gusts at 60 mph and temperatures at -10 degrees.

Human ResourcesBy Karen GertzFrom Sue and Steve Spitznagel, retired: “Thanks to everyone for the kind words, donations and prayers for the loss of our daugh-ter, Jenny. During this very dif-ficult time for the family, you have eased our burden. Many thanks.”

EnergizersBy Joyce WrayThe Christmas party was held at Lo Sole Mio Villa on Tuesday, Dec. 15. This holiday season has really been trying for a lot of us, but the committee of Sue Wymore, Ruth Negus, Mari lou Mally, Susan Arndt and Cindi Van Housen managed to pull it off anyway. Attendance for the Christmas party was great for both retirees and active members. Instead of exchanging Christ-mas ornaments, mittens, gloves, scarves and hats were collected for the Campfire Kids. At the party, Cecilia Christensen was announced as the new Energiz-ers president. Congratulations on your move from member to lead-er… Our condolences go out to Laura Kapustka for the loss of her father, Jackie Perry for the loss of her husband and to the family of Theresa Wilson, who recently died of cancer… Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Sandy Kautzman, whose father had heart surgery.

T&D Transmission, Administrative andIntegrated Work ManagementBy Suzanne KrajicekSuzanne Krajicek thanks the System Planning & Work Management EMS department for their very generous monetary donations to the Toys for Tots campaign. Once again, the EMS guys went above and beyond in their donation to a very worthwhile cause. Thank you all so very, very much.


Reporters’ Notes

Corporate Accounting, Corporate Auditing and Planning & Budgeting ServicesBy Diane Schroder and Shawn MooreDave and Diane Schroder spent a week in Roatan, Honduras, where David had a great time scuba diving. They also took a seaplane ride over the island, did the zip-line, toured and shopped.

Papillion CenterBy Debbie Jensen and Trudy PratherCarey and Mike Jensen, left, Elk-horn Center, and Mary Anne and Jim Torchia, retired, vacationed in Hawaii… Laurie and Pat Callahan celebrated their anniversary in Key West, Fla. Pat went to the Big 12 Championship in Arlington, Texas… Janice and Don Strong’s son, Marty, will be starting his basic training for the Air Force… Ric, retired, and Trudy Prather visited their daughter in Min-neapolis, where they toured the new TCF stadium and went to a Gopher football game.

High VoltageBy Sharon DickmanMembers showed how thankful they were by bringing canned food that was donated to the Food Bank to the November High Voltage lun-cheon. We were all privileged to be serenaded by Jack Kouth, while we ate. The theme for his songs was “With A Song In My Heart.” Jack recognized all veterans who served in the Arm Forces. Impersonations of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash were also enjoyed by everyone… Alfred Dupree celebrated his 90th birthday with a pizza party at Lan-sky’s. Friends and relatives came from Kansas, Colorado, Chicago and Missouri for the celebration. He is pictured with his children (l-r):

Pam Cermak, Craig Dupree, Connie Carlson and Marty Dupree... Virgin-ia Eidenmiller and a friend went to Overland Park, Kan. They attended the new dinner theatre, where they enjoyed a play and great food… Maxine and Donald Pachunka took a Joe Moostach tour in mid-October. They toured Arkansas with great weather and viewed many interesting sights… Elaine and Harold Williamson went to New Mexico for a reunion of those who served on the same ship during World War II… Carolyn and Bob Schellhardt celebrated the remodel of their house, which took all sum-mer, by purchasing a ninety per-cent restored 1955 Chevrolet…Tom Forman was welcomed as a new member… Carl Martens recognized everyone who helped him over the years while he served as president. Carl will be sitting back, enjoying the luncheons, beginning Jan. 1, when Dick Liebentritt will take over Carl’s duties as president… Retirees who do not belong to this club, please consider it by calling Dick Liebentritt at 333-6742 or Ron Mortensen at 895-4692. What a great way to start 2010 and keep in touch with everyone.

OPPD has been named the

winner of the annual Young

Professionals Choice Award,

from the Omaha Chamber of

Commerce, which recognizes

an organization in the great-

er Omaha community that

excels in efforts to attract,

retain and develop young

professionals.

The award will be present-

ed at the Young Profession-

als Summit on March 4 at

Qwest Center Omaha. Koley

Jessen is the award sponsor.

“I see a lot of talent and

determination in the newer

employees, and I have every

confidence that they will

achieve many successes for

OPPD,” said OPPD President

and CEO Gary Gates.

Young professionals sub-

mitted 56 nominations for

the award. From the 37

companies that completed

the application process, five

finalists were selected.

“OPPD has created an

environment where staff at

all levels of the company

can have an active role in

shaping the future of the

organization,” said Kirsten

Case-Penrod, manager of

the Greater Omaha Young

Professionals, which is spon-

sored by the Omaha Cham-

ber of Commerce.

For any questions about

the award or the YP Summit,

please contact Mark Pohl at

636-2575.

OPPD Wins Young Professionals Choice Award

Nebraska City Station

Unit 2, which went online

earlier this year, has been

recognized for excellence

by two national publica-

tions.

Power Engineering mag-

azine recognized NC2

for honorable mention as

one of the best coal-fired

projects for 2009.

In addition, NC2 previ-

ously was cited by Power

Magazine as one of the

nation’s top plants.

NC2 Honored inNational Magazines


Nuclear Support ServicesBy Julie KuhrMatt and Julie Misek’s son, Nate (right), played football for the St. Mar-garet Mary’s seventh-grade Spartans and won the 2009 Parochial Athletic League Championship for that grade level. Their daughter, Molly (above), a junior at Marian High School, was inducted into the National Honor Society.

At its Dec. 17 meeting, the OPPD Board of Directors rec-

ognized and commended the efforts of district employees

who restored service to more than 2,200 customers hit by

a heavy snowstorm on Nov. 16. The storm struck an area

south of Tecumseh, including Richardson, Pawnee, Johnson

and Nemaha counties.

Heavy mud and hard-to-reach locations resulted in dif-

ficult working conditions. Despite that, more than 50 crews,

with assistance from Lincoln Electric System, Nebraska Public

Power District and L. E. Myers Company, managed to com-

plete restoration of service to the affected area in four days.

Front from left, Greg Hunzeker, Mike Kragskow, Brice Lefler and Dave Brinkman. Back from left, Shane Stock, Nitin Gambhir, Ray Janiak, Don Sands, Blaine Dinwiddie and Jim Moore.

Board Recognizes Storm Restoration Efforts

POD Central Office, Production Engineering & Technical Support, and Projects & ConstructionBy Pam PricePatrick Duckworth, Systems Operations, and Kathy Duckworth cel-ebrated their anniversary with a cruise to Cozumel and Belize. They spent a pre-cruise night in Miami and went to South Beach. From there, they enjoyed a visit to Tulum to see the Mayan ruins, snorkeled near Bannister Caye and did a little shopping in Belize. The weather was extremely hot and windy.

SPARCSBy Dennis VanekOur SPARCS outings are keep-ing the board members active in looking for places that continue to keep you informed and full of good food. In December, 74 people attended “A Christmas Carol” at the Omaha Playhouse. The weather cooperated and a great outing that has been in our sights for many years was enjoyed by all… Our election of board members was completed with Kent Bacon, Bill Stattler, Dawn Varner and Fred Wood being elected to the board for a two-year term. Thanks to all for running and to the members for voting these people to our board… Our December board meeting was held at the Lone Star Steakhouse. We thanked Mark Brandenburg for his service to the board and welcomed Dawn Varner to the board… At our Jan. 14 meeting we will have H&R Block representative Joe Beninato speak on tax items after we enjoy

a meal at Cascio’s. On Feb. 25, our outing will be a melodrama, “The Bounty of Barbados” or “Rum’s the Word” at Sokol Hall. We will have SPARCS board member Jim McKinley in the cast of six women, six men, and a parrot. You won’t want to miss this great outing. Many of our members go every year, and other OPPD retir-ees/employees have been in the cast of the melodrama. Our March outing will be a Chat & Chew at the Lone Star on 144th Street. Our April outing will be the Mallory Kountze Planetarium at UNO and a meal at Caniglia’s Venice Inn. We are also looking into a tour of Nebraska City Unit 2 in May that could include a bus if people are interested in a ride instead of driv-ing. Again this year we are donat-ing $250 to each of the following charities: Food Bank, Stephens Center, Friends of 4-H, and Open Door Mission… So in conclusion, we are Special People Active and Retired Caring and Sharing.


PeopleDecember Service Anniversaries

John S. Saniuk35 Years

Corporate Accounting

Salvatore T. Trombino35 Years

Production Operations

Steven L. Gregory30 Years

T&D Operations

Edward J. Howell30 Years

Customer Service Operations

Terry L. Norton30 Years

Energy Marketing & Trading

Richard R. Bohnet25 Years

Energy Marketing & Trading

Deborah A. Nastase-Quade

25 YearsCustomer Sales & Service

Timothy J. Nissen25 Years

T&D Operations

Alexander R. Peters25 Years

FCS Plant Operations

John W. Thurber25 YearsFinance

Mike E. Benson20 Years

T&D Operations

Johnny L. Cummings20 Years

Nuclear Support Services

Mark A. Patach20 Years


Suzanne K. Handbury20 Years

Nuclear Asset Management

John A. Riggleman20 Years


Carolyn L. White20 Years


Willard B. Jacobson20 Years


Reynold G. Steffel20 Years


Javier Villarreal15 Years

Facilities Management

Wayne D. Long20 Years


Sandra L. Vote20 Years


Patricia M. Tooles10 Years

Business Strategy & Analysis

20 YearsSteven T. Foran, Production OperationsCarlos R. Harris, FCS Plant OperationsHolly L. Hartwell, Nuclear Engineering

Donald M. Jorgensen, Nuclear Support ServicesDale W. Kurtenbach, Engineering

Kelley A. Kuss, Production OperationsPhillip M. Kuss, Facilities ManagementWilliam B. McElroy, T&D Operations

Casey J. Rakes, T&D OperationsJay D. Robinson, FCS Plant OperationsJohn B. Torres, Production Operations

Donald R. Young, Information Technology

15 YearsBryan R. Bernhards, T&D Operations

Michael J. Kavan, FCS Plant OperationsChristopher P. Worthing, FCS Plant Operations

10 YearsRandall D. Adkins, Production Operations

Nicholas R. Daniel, T&D OperationsLeonard D. Hare, Nuclear Quality &

Performance ImprovementJeremy V. Leech, T&D OperationsDonald J. Nekola, T&D OperationsSteven D. Redler, T&D Operations

Tommy J. Stricklin, Production OperationsGerald L. Tilson, T&D Operations

Ricky J. Vanderheiden, T&D OperationsSusan K. Wymore, Information Technology

5 YearsRandall D. Bland, Nuclear Support Services

Robert E. Ellis, Nuclear Support ServicesBenjamin A. Koziol, Nuclear Support Services

James J. Nichols, Nuclear Support ServicesMarcus D. Washington, Nuclear Support Services

Mark O. Johnson35 Years


People


RetirementsMichael D. Allan, trans-portation working crew leader, Facilities Manage-ment, retired Jan. 1 with 33 years of service. Mike joined OPPD in 1976 as an apprentice auto

mechanic in Electric Operations.

James D. Kecy, super-visor – ESP training, Nuclear Training, Quality & Performance Improve-ment, retired Jan. 1 with 29 years of service. Jim joined OPPD in 1980 as

an engineer in Production Operations.

Eugene E. Morris, nuclear safety concerns program coordinator, Nuclear Asset Management, retired Jan. 1 with 20 years of service. Gene joined OPPD in 1989 as a supervisor –

nuclear security training.

Vicki E. “Vicker” Sykes, communications assis-tant, Corporate Commu-nications, retired Jan. 1 with 33 years of service. Vicker joined OPPD in 1976 as a stenographer in

Media Relations, Public Relations Division. Douglas E. Cozad, equipment operator, T&D Operations, retired Dec. 1 with 27 years of service. Doug joined OPPD in 1982 as a utility man in the Underground Department at the Papillion Center. Mary K. Miller, steamfitter, FCS Plant Opera-tions, retired Jan. 1 with 22 years of service. Mary joined OPPD in 1987 as a laborer in FCS Maintenance. Sayed H. Wali, programmer analyst, Business Application Delivery, Information Technology, retired Jan. 1 with 14 years of service. Sayed joined OPPD in 1995 in that same position.

DeathsServices were held Dec. 11 in Elk Grove, Calif., for Salvador J. “Sammy” Cervantes, 63 (not pic-

tured). Sammy joined OPPD in 1999 as a junior engineering aide in Engineering and retired in 2009 in that same position.

Sammy is survived by his daughters, Julie Hutsell, Jennifer Cervantes, Rashell Cervantes; sister, Rita Coots; brother, Joseph Cervantes; and six grandchildren: Sierra, Taya, Bailey, Madilynn, Grayson and Logan.

Services were held Nov. 21 in Omaha for Rodney K. Rose, Sr., 63, shown in a 2006 photo. Rodney joined OPPD in 1974 as a utility man in the Underground Department and retired in 2005 as a construction working crew leader, T&D Operations.

Rodney is survived by his wife, Faye; daughter, Tari Rose; son, Rodney (Brandy); brothers, William, (Gladys), Paul (Dee), Donald and Terry Rose; sisters, Betty Cole, Joann (Bob Loving) and Patricia Hunter; grandchildren, Brianne and

De’Shauna; and other relatives.

Services were held Dec. 14 in Ashland for Theresa L. Wilson, 37, shown in 2009. Theresa joined OPPD in 2006 as a part-time clerk at the Ashland Office and was an operations clerk – T&D Integrated Management, System Planning & Work Management, at the time of her death.

Theresa is survived by her husband, Jamie; daughters, Emilie and Rebecca; parents, Alan and Linda Svoboda; grandparents, Albert and Lorraine Freouf; two brothers and many other relatives.

The Forestry/Cable Locating Department and the Integrated Work Management Department are mourning the unexpected loss of our friend, Theresa Wilson. Prior to becoming the forestry clerk in June of 2008, Theresa worked for Ed Law and Mike Daniels as a part-time clerk in Ashland, Syracuse, and Tecumseh, starting in 2006.

In the short time she was with the group, she demonstrated great dedication and professionalism to her job. She was instrumental in the success of all the improvements the group has made in the past year. Most of all, she was one of our best friends. Below are some remembrances from Theresa’s coworkers:

“Helpful, always there when someone needed something, always willing to lend a hand, never complained.”

“Theresa encapsulated joyfulness every day, all day.”

“Her remarkable enthusiasm and willingness to help has touched our lives and we will always remember her for this.”

“No matter what was going on, she always (and I mean always) had a smile on her face.”

“Positive to be around, sincere and true, and she made you feel you were a very important part of her day and life.”

“A rare jewel of a person – genuine, honest, kind.”

“I can’t believe that for the short time that Theresa was our forestry clerk, how much of an impact she had on our department and our personal lives... a tribute to her character.”

“She was a genuinely kind person who I’m not sure ever had a mean thing to say to or about anybody.”

“How lucky can we be, for we were given the privilege of knowing Theresa.”

“She was a true comrade and enjoyed her work and those with whom she worked.”

Theresa loved her husband, Jamie, and daughters, Emilie and Rebecca, and her OPPD family. We will miss her tremendously.


People

Piper, born Oct. 20, is the daugh-ter of Jennifer Moon and first grandchild of Jan Tatum, Human Resources.

Kevin Fustos, Facilities Management, married Mary Ann Schierbrock on Nov. 13 in Council Bluffs. A May 2010 honeymoon is planned to Hawaii.

Alexis, born Nov. 13, is the daugh-ter of Lusina and Mike Kavan, FCS Maintenance.

Caley, born Dec. 6, is the grand-daughter of Randy De George and great niece of Scott De George, both of Facilities Management.

Collin (left) and Caleb Hagan, 1-year-old twins, are the grandsons of Larry Hagan, Facilities Management.

Ella, 8 months, Avery, 3, and Grant 6, are the children of Amy and Joe Waszak Jr., Energy Marketing & Trading, and grandchildren of Carol and Joe Waszak, Operations Analysis.

Danika, 18 months, and Jayde, born Nov. 12, are the daughters of Terri and Joe Kreifels, Syracuse Center.

Nico Lucas, born Nov. 4, is the grandson of Ruth and Frank Vilcinskas, retired.

Olivia Munaco, born Nov. 18, is the daughter of Katie and Mike Munaco and granddaughter of Cindi Van Housen, Information Technology.

Savanna, 4, Addison, 2, and Lau-rynn, 4 months, are the daughters of Mindy and Jeremy Fankhauser, Syracuse Center.

SympathiesTina and Todd Frey, Papillion Center, for the death of Tina’s grandmother.

Farrah and Jarold Buckley, Papillion Center, for the death of Farrah’s mother. Stan and Laura Kapustka, Planning & Budgeting Services, for the death of Laura’s father, Richard Sherman. Doug Van Winkle, Planning & Budgeting Services, for the death of his cousin, Theresa Wilson, OPPD employee. Jackie Perry, retired, for the death of her husband.


January BirthdaysSunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31

Tracy A. BostonMichael J. GibsonLeonard D. HareJoyce J. JohnstonDaniel J. KoziolHattie E. LitteralDavid L. OrrJason M. RamirezNicholas C. SinnottAva C. Stovall

Thomas J. BrunerScott E. CurranJames E. Hoffman Jr.Rodney A. McKeeKevin L. RathkeMark A. SchrammBryan J. StavneakRonald UndajonPatricia Walker-Halstead

Adriana AfongTom G. BanksSteven R. BunzSeth M. DunnEugene R. FitzgeraldLaddie J. KripalLeslie E. LabsJeremy V. LeechQuynh An Manh NguyenMichael A. OsbornAaron T. SmithRobert A. SnyderCalvin L. WebsterLarry D. Young

Kranthi AdidamHarold R. ChristopherCraig R. CrawfordDavid G. DuvalJames J. FoleyJason D. HiattChristopher D. LaceyCharles McCallNicole M. McWilliamsRoger L. PetersonFredrick F. Stoll Jr.Todd H. Williamson

Richard L. GassEdward W. GleisbergDelrahe R. GustThomas A. HengKevin C. HolthausChristine A. Miller

Timothy J. BurkeChisanga C. ChongoHarvey P. GiffordArthur L. GrellRussell W. HolderLois G. HruskaRieko Ikeda-HayesNicolas I. LehmanStacy A. MatteenJoe L. McManisPatrick D. SchrammRichard E. Westcott

Darlene A. BurgePeter J. DonaldsonVanessa M. ErwinDorothy A. HorstmanKenneth D. LambDavid L. Wilson

Dennis L. CernyAngela E. ChrystalGene A. FischerDonna L. GoeserSteve E. HowardDan E. JackmanRobin I. LinhartDonald A. Shuman

Alfred W. BeckmanDavid J. HusakBernard C. KrejciRandall L. LambertJohn W. LeifertMark A. NelsonJames L. RawlingsJeffrey A. ReinhartLynne C. SledgeLeonard J. SorysBrian L. VacaJoseph E. WillettCurtis A. Wilwerding

Ryan G. AndersonVerna R. ChapmanWilliam J. CorringKeelyn S. DavisThomas J. DurantBrian R. FimbresThomas A. GabrielPatrick J. GardnerJoseph M. GonzalezRobert J. GravesJes L. GrayDonna K. GuinnJames C. MasonKevin K. NaserRichard T. Steimer

Eulalia J. BradleyGeorgianna BrownMichael E. DanielsJeremy L. KellnerGary T. MachalAlice M. MillerPaula B. PittmanMichael F. RouseRobert L. ShewanFrank E. Vilcinskas

Karen L. BonenbergerTom BrammierGarry L. FloydLoreatha Gunnels-MayberryRobert E. Headen Jr.Terry M. JamesRyan D. McConnellRichard D. MillerDoyle J. NoerrlingerMarvin E. WoodrichBarbara A. WootenByron L. Wright

Jeremy S. BensonBruce R. BernhardsKathryn A. BrennemanClarence S. CiattiJames E. CookFred F. FrancoRichard A. LongBryan S. MurphyPhilip B. TaylorGuy R. Urban

Gene P. CreamerFrank R. D'LouhyJohn F. EngelhardtJohn R. GoodellGregory T. HansenDonald W. JonesRyan J. KaufmanLeon R. KlokeRaymond D. KnottFrederick Levins Sr.Adam LuchsingerFelix RoblesTraci A. SchuetteBrian K. StoneLisa R.WieduwiltHarold B. WilliamsonShane T. Wilson

Marie E. BettsKarma E. BooneTeresa M. BrownDannie D. BueltVicki L. GegznaKathleen A. HamiltonJerryce L. HankinsPatrick A. HargisLee J. JanicekGrant L. KeranBarbara S. KruegerJerry E. MilesKenneth A. RothJeffrey A. SpilkerDarlene T. Tyner

William A. MyersJeremy J. PaulsenJoseph PoleckKathy S. RoyalMarygett M. SteenCarolyn L. WhiteLinda L. Ziemba

Alex J. BaneDavid J. BrettmannCharla A. CapecciLisa M. DeLunaWayne A. GoeringDamian M. GomezDennis J. GrillotJames E. JohnsonJames L. KarstensKristen G. MaassenEdward F. MedlinRick D. PavlikDarlene M. Young

Scott J. AndersenRubin W. CarterBarry A. FeltenCindie L. FisherJeffrey J. HansonCarlos R. HarrisGregory A. KrieserJude LuiCharles W. MillerAlex N. O'BrienRoger W. RialDaniel J. RosloniecBernard L. SaucierBritnye L. SubbertWarren C. Webster

Richard G. BeckDuane D. ClausenTimothy R. DukarskiRobert L. EvansMichael R. HansonOral D. LewisBernard R. LivingstonMark P. MahoneyCharles R. McCain Jr.Walter S. McGrew Jr.Robert J. McNurlinRaymond T. PignottiJohn J. Pixley Jr.Reynold G. SteffelJohn C. StroyJudith R. Sunde

Wesley E. BakerJanice L. BallMark A. BrandenburgEmery E. CottonKenneth L. OlsenDouglas J. RobertsKevin C. Smith

Brendan C. LinseRonald S. MorrisonMatthew R. WilkenEddie L. Williams

Jay D. BontragerShonnie S. HavlatLarry J. ReedThomas J. SandeneWilliam G. Stafford Jr.Margaret S. Welch

Kevin G. BesseyKevin R. BostonKyle W. HoyleRobert P. JuzaJames J. KarnikLeland C. SchneiderLoren E. Stevens

Lawrence E. HautzingerRobert J. SojkaJames TorchiaMarcus D. WashingtonMichael M. Zelazny

Leslie J. BarrettTodd A. BischoffJoseph C. BraunEdward J. Breault IIIGenea M. DavisSteven A. FanslauRenee M. JacobsenWayne D. Long

Charles A. CarlsonDavid V. PerezWilliam C. SchroederBernard J. Van SantMichael T. WelsteadWyndle L. Young Jr.

Milton E. BerggrenWiljacques CookThomas J. FormanThomas L. HeitkampStanley A. HeydenLisa S. HoughRichard A. Incontro Jr.Kristian A. LinstadJohn P. Livingston IIDustin J. SchultzLonnie D. SuverkrubbeDale W. WidhalmDonald C. Wilson

Robert B. AdamsGeorge F. BarnaJeremy M. DavisMark E. ErtzLuke I. GabrielBrian RolfsDonald E. SlossonSamuel C. SmithCole C. TibkeDavid L. WarrenLeonard L. Webster Jr.Deanna M. Wolf Terrence D. Zank

Nikolas J. CamposJanet E. CarlsonDavid R. HeinsAlan J. MeyerGlenn L. MillerLloyd A. SchultzEugene J. SnitilyBruce E. StanleyDouglas A. Tesarek

Robert G. GilsdorfJohn R. GordonHoward L. HardyJohn H. JonesRonald A. OsovskiDawn K. PetrusJames PodjenskiJohn PodjenskiMichael E. SchuttThomas M. SedlakLawrence A. SekyraJoseph F. SteinThomas J. Vincent

Larry R. KoupalJames G. KuceraThomas A. Plummer

Presorted standard

Us Postage Paid omaha

ne Permit no. 97

444 South 16th Street Mall Omaha, Nebraska 68102-2247

Address Service Requested

Pull on your coat, hat and gloves. Drag those old snow boots out from the bottom of the closet. Our customers need your help.For the third consecutive year, area utilities are coming together for a common cause: the Heartland Walk for Warmth. The Heartland Walk for Warmth is a chari-table event created to raise awareness and funds for local energy assistance programs. It is the one charitable fundraiser event that gives area utilities a common purpose to come together, with the support of the corporate community. But don’t let all this warm and fuzzy together-ness pull the wool over your eyes. The utilities have a common goal, but bragging rights are still at stake. According to Community Support/Consumer Relations Coordinator Judi Martin,

the goal of the event is to raise funds, as well as awareness of the need for energy assistance in the community through advertising. And it doesn’t hurt to raise participation with a little friendly competition. The utilities include OPPD, Metropolitan Utilities District and Black Hills Energy. Last year, OPPD had the largest turnout of volunteer walkers.

Employee Discount To encourage its employees to participate, OPPD will pay half the cost of the registration fee. Instead of $20, OPPD employees and imme-diate family members can register for $10 each. Sign-up is being coordinated through OPPD’s Wellness Committee, which is sponsoring the event internally. There will be a pre-event warm-up party and goodies, with more details to follow. Check ON (formerly Today’s News) and www.heartland-walkforwarmth.org for updated information.

flash magazine jan-feb 2010

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