FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : July 7, 2003

CONTACT : Jennifer Neville, 720-962-7054, neville@wapa.gov

Western recognizes Boulder City resident for exceptional service

LAKEWOOD, Colo.,—Boulder City resident James Bouvia will receive Western Area Power Administration’s highest honor at a ceremony July 9 at Western’s Desert Southwest Regional Office. Western’s Administrator Mike Hacskaylo will present Bouvia with Western’s Exceptional Service Award during the ceremony.

“I congratulate James Bouvia for making outstanding contributions to Western. He exemplifies our values by continuously providing excellent customer service over the last five years. His skills, initiative and commitment help to make Western a premier power marketing and transmission organization,” said Hacskaylo.

Bouvia, an electrician foreman II, started his Federal career in 1968 with the U.S. Navy as an interior communications electrician. Since joining Western as a journeyman electrician in 1984 at Desert Southwest, he has worked in both the Desert Southwest and Rocky Mountain regions developing the skills to become a foreman.

He receives Western’s highest honors for his exemplary customer service over the last five years. Bouvia negotiated with the Colorado River Commission, resulting in a new approach to contracting with utilities for interconnections and recently participated on Western’s negotiation team with Boulder City, Nev., providing valuable historic information and insight as to the city’s needs. He successfully represented Western’s technical issues through the development of the agreement, creating a continued beneficial relationship between Western and Boulder City.

With every group and project, Bouvia left his mark in excellence, making substantial contributions to process improvements and services. He is sought out by outside entities asking for assistance from Western—a reflection of his attention to customer service and his focus on teamwork and collaboration.

Originally from Fulton, Ill., Bouvia now lives with his wife Jeannie in Boulder City , Nev. He has two adult children, Robert and Jamie, and two grandsons, Christopher and Brian. He spends his extra time restoring his ’67 Mustang, building a ’28 Chevy street rod and riding his Harley.

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

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 and central states. It is part of the Department of Energy.

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Serving the West with Federal Hydropower