Larry Redman receives certification from NRECA

3/5/2009

 LPEA Purchasing Agent completes three-year supply-management program

 DURANGO, Colo. – Larry Redman, purchasing agent for La Plata Electric Association (LPEA), has completed the Supply-Management Course Certificate Program, a three-year effort organized by the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA).

“Managing inventory and balancing our electric load growth needs against the cost of changing out aging infrastructure is a big job and a strategic issue with all electric cooperatives,” said Greg Munro, LPEA CEO. “With Larry’s certification, we’re confident he’s been armed with the right training and tools to ensure LPEA can manage the increasingly volatile prices.”

Over Redman’s three years of attending Tech Advantage, the industry show at which the training courses are held, he studied procurement processes, best practices, contract writing, managing inventory, and more. During the most recent conference, he attended a session concerning transformers and the stringent requirements soon to be placed on transformer manufacturers by the Department of Energy on January 1, 2010.

"This is a capital-intensive business,” said Redman, responsible for purchasing and arranging timely delivery for all materials used at LPEA, from poles to transformers to cable. “Everything we order for the line, as well as capital items such as vehicles, and administrative needs.”

Redman, who has served as LPEA’s purchasing agent for seven years, has been with the Finance Division for 31 years. His initial responsibilities included materials management, work orders and accounting.

 “So I have been involved in all aspects, and understand the complete process of procurement for the cooperative,” said Redman. “I keep an eye on our members’ money and spend it wisely, doing the best I possibly can.”

A Durango native, Redman attended Fort Lewis College and the L.I.F.E. Bible College in the Echo Park area of Southern California, before returning to Durango to raise his family.

“LPEA is a great employer, and I appreciate the support I’ve had to advance my education,” said Redman. “The best part of my now more than three decades here is the opportunity to build good relationships with my co-workers, as well as those manufacturers and distributors who provide our materials.”

As a company, LPEA supports continuing education for all staff members within their various disciplines. A Touchstone Energy Cooperative, LPEA is celebrating 70 years of service providing to its nearly 30,000 members, with more than 40,000 meters, safe, reliable electricity at the lowest reasonable cost, while being environmentally responsible. For additional information, contact LPEA at 970.247.5786 or visit www.lpea.coop.

<< Go Back