Power manager changes at Grand Coulee Dam

The Bureau of Reclamation announced last week that Kerry McCalman of Denver, Colo., has been named the interim power manager at Grand Coulee Dam, starting last Wednesday.

McCalman is Reclamation’s senior advisor for Hydropower and Electric Reliability compliance officer based in Denver. He replaces Mark Jenson who has been the Grand Coulee power manager since April 2011.

Jenson will remain at Grand Coulee Dam to lead the Project Management Group, which is directly involved in repairing, replacing, and upgrading power equipment throughout the facility.

“Mark’s expertise and experience in leadership and engineering will serve him well in this new role and its unique set of challenges,” said Lorri Lee, Reclamation’s Pacific Northwest Regional Director. “The Project Management Group, under Mark’s leadership, is essential to Grand Coulee Dam meeting its goals of being a safe, updated, world class hydropower and irrigation facility.”

Recruitment for a new Grand Coulee power manager will begin immediately.

Lynne Brougher, public affairs officer at the dam, said Jenson requested the re-assignment because he thought his skills and background would be best utilized leading the Project Management Group, which manages the many special projects at the site, including the refurbishment of the Third Power House.

“That’s where his expertise and his passion lies,” she said.