FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 26, 2002
CONTACT: Nel Martin 406-247-7427, e-mail rmartin@wapa.gov

BILLINGS, Mont. —Billings resident Leslie Kerr will receive Western Area Power Administration's Exceptional Service Award in a ceremony July 31 at the Sheraton Hotel. Western's Administrator Mike Hacskaylo will present Kerr with the agency's highest honor.

When Kerr started with Western in 1991, she was still a student at Montana State University in Bozeman. She started as a public utilities technician in the Billings Area Office's Contracts Division. She is now a public utilities specialist. Looking back, she said, "I'm proud to be part of the Upper Great Plains team that put open-access transmission and ancillary service rates in place."

Rates Manager Bob Riehl said, "Leslie is a recognized expert in power repayment methodology and policy, transmission service and ancillary services rate methodology and power marketing policy and practices. Among the Rates community, she frequently answers questions on methods and policies and provides input or training to staff at CSO and the regions."

Western Exceptional Award recipients:

• Are recognized as experts in their fields.
• Consistently go above and beyond what is normally expected on a long-term basis.
• Perform additional assignments such as dedicated participation on committees or task forces.
• Involve themselves in outside activities that reflect favorably on Western.
• Help accomplish the goals of Western's Strategic Plan.
• Have been Western employees for more than five years.

Anyone interested in attending the award ceremony should call Janice Dietz at 406-247-7395.

Western Area Power Administration annually markets and transmits more than 10,000 megawatts of power from hydroelectric powerplants owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 15 western states. It is part of the Department of Energy.