WAPA Procurement staff visit field operations

Supervisory Contract Specialist Mike Lowe recently organized a field trip to Casper, Wyoming, in order for his team to bridge the gap between administrative roles and field operations. His goal was to familiarize his staff, dispersed across various locations across the country, of one of the critical tenets of their mission: to support live field operations.

“Being in procurement, you can get detached from the personnel on the ground. This trip was about reconnecting with the people we support,” Lowe explained.

Lowe, a military veteran, emphasized the importance of understanding the WAPA Maintenance group’s work to his team. “In the military, you think about the soldiers in the field. Sitting behind a computer, you can lose perspective. Here, it’s about the guys in the field climbing poles and working in substations. We’re supporting a live mission,” he said.

During their visit, the Procurement team met with High Voltage Electrician Leader (Foreman III) Orry Lesh, along with Division Maintenance Manager John Olson, who guided them through a substation and a communication site. The tour included a bucket truck ride and interactions with field craftsmen in and around a substation, providing the Procurement staff a firsthand look at the equipment they purchase.

“It was eye-opening to see transformers, circuit breakers, conductors and more, and understand how they tie into the bulk electric system,” Lowe noted.

For Procurement staff like Contract Specialist Joseph Magbitang, the trip was a reminder of the crucial role they play in the procurement process. “Seeing the small modular building for a comm site in person made Magbitang realize it’s a simple supply buy, not a construction project. This understanding is crucial for effective procurement,” Magbitang explained.

Lesh shared valuable insights during the tour, highlighting the importance of quality gear. “We often get pushback on the cost of boots, but cheaper boots can’t provide the necessary support. Quality gear ensures safety and efficiency, justifying the higher cost,” he explained. Boot purchases illustrate one of many examples of how spending time with craft employees in the field clarifies the need for the gear necessary in this line of work.

The trip wasn’t just about understanding equipment but also about building relationships. Procurement team member Contract Specialist Mona Howey from Billings, Montana, noted, “It was beneficial from both a learning and team-building perspective. The hands-on experiences, like going up in a 45′ boom lift and trying out a fully extended hot stick, went beyond what I had anticipated.”

The field trip included collaborative work at the Casper facility conference room, fostering team cohesion and problem-solving. “Working together in person reminded us of the value of face-to-face interaction. It’s something we miss while working remotely,” Lowe reflected.

Lesh emphasized the importance of communication in improving future purchases. “Both the requester and the purchaser have different goals. Maintenance aims to maintain the power system, while Procurement supports that by buying what we need within legal requirements. Better communication can align both parties,” he said. 

The meet-and-greet helped Procurement staff understand the necessity of certain items. “Crews request specific items because they’re trained on them, they’ve been tested to work best, or they’re the only suitable options,” Lesh explained. PPE and gear are personal; they fit individuals differently and are chosen based on specific tasks and locations. The quality and suitability of gear can significantly impact daily operations and job satisfaction.

The personal bonds formed during the trip not only enhanced but also solidified the collaborative business relationship between the Maintenance and Procurement teams. “Seeing each other’s perspectives helps both sides understand the challenges and work together more effectively,” Lesh noted.

Lowe remarked that in the end, the nice thing was they all got to work together as a team in Casper. “Working in that room was a different perspective than how we normally work remotely. We collaborate, asked questions, solved problems, put out fires. It reminds you that there is value to being in person too. There’s a value to both.”

The Procurement team is already looking for another location. This initiative promises to strengthen the bond between Procurement and field operations, ensuring better support for WAPA’s mission.