New electric utility director named

EDMOND, Okla.--The City of Edmond announced today the hiring of Tim Berringer to fill the position of director of the municipal electric utility, Edmond Electric. Berringer's expected start date is by the end of September. The position was vacated in July when Charlie Burgett retired after leading the utility for 17 years.

"Tim's work experiences in the electric power industry is broad, which includes public power, investor-owned electric utility, responsible for distribution planning and operations and being a major customer of several electric utilities across the country, has provided him with a unique understanding of the industry from many perspectives and this knowledge will be a great benefit for Edmond Electric and its customers," said Assistant City Manager of Operations Jerry Smith.

The electric utility is part of the city's operations functions.

Berringer has 20 years of professional experience, most recently with Union Pacific Railroad as the manager of electrical design. His experience includes working for a utility in the field, in distribution planning and at a power plant.

He worked with rate structures, electrical studies, economic analysis, field personnel and budgets.

He has extensive experience in standards and operations concerning design, construction, maintenance and safety.

Prior to the position with Union Pacific, Berringer was the electrical distribution engineer with MidAmerican Energy Corporation and planning engineer with Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD).

In his role at NPPD, Berringer was responsible for short and long term electrical plans for cities with populations of over 5,000. He performed power supply planning and forecasting for future substation sites.

"I believe that the positions I've have held at a public and investor-owned utility along with my present duties at Union Pacific Railroad have prepared me for director of Edmond Electric," said Berringer.

"I enjoy all aspects of the electric utility business such as e lectrical engineering, managing personnel, and last but definitely not least, interacting with the public."

A licensed Professional Engineer in Iowa and Nebraska, Berringer obtained a Bachelor of Science in Electric Engineering from Iowa State University in 1989.

"Tim is the fit we wanted for this critical position. He certainly has the technical expertise and experience that is required, but it is even more important to us that Tim has outstanding people skills to be a key part of our management team, appropriately lead the electric department, and effectively interact with citizen/customers in our community," said City Manager Larry Stevens.

"Hiring for attitude and then skill is not just a slogan with the City of Edmond," Stevens said. "Tim is ready to build on the tremendous success that Edmond Electric has earned with our customers."

Berringer and wife, Gayla, have five children including three daughters, Amanda, Amber and Molly, and two sons, Brooke and Blake. Two of the daughters are in college, one son is a high school senior, another daughter is a freshman, and the youngest son is in the seventh grade.

Berringer said his wife has a degree in education and looked into the Edmond school system. "It was comforting to know that the Edmond School District is second to none in the state," Berringer said.

"My current position with the railroad has allowed me to visit many areas within Oklahoma and it appears that Edmond is on e of the crown jewels," said Berringer.

Berringer will be paid an annual salary of $118,562.

For more information about the City of Edmond or the electric utility, visit edmondok.com.

Last Updated ( Friday, 21 August 2009 )