NEWS FROM WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 13, 2007
CONTACT: Jennifer Neville, 720-962-7054, neville@wapa.gov

WESTERN RECOGNIZES BILLINGS RESIDENT FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE

LAKEWOOD, Colo.—Billings resident Jody Sundsted will receive Western Area Power Administration's highest honor at a ceremony July 20 at Western's Upper Great Plains Regional Office, in Billings, Mont. Western's Administrator Tim Meeks will present Sundsted with Western's Exceptional Service Award during the ceremony.

"We recognize Jody'scommitment, leadership, technical ability and devotion to duty," Meeks said. "Having top performers like Jodyis the key to Western's success."

As Western's Upper Great Plains' Financial manager, Sundsted works diligently behind the scenes promoting Western’s image and reputation. “It’s through his efforts that UGP is an acknowledged power marketing agency throughout the region and the western United States,” said Western UGP Rates Manager Jon Horst.

Sundsted has been instrumental in developing relationships with UGP power customers by presenting UGP's work plan.

He also promotes various funding types to help Western accomplish its mission, goals and objectives. In addition to presenting alternative funding proposals to MidWest’s Board of Directors and the Western States Power Corporation, he implemented the alternative funding methods and continues to lead the effort to improve financial management systems.

Sundsted moved to Billings from his hometown of Antelope, Mont. He's a 1983 graduate of Montana State University, in Bozeman, and along with his wife Leesa, he has three children—Nick, 16; Nathan, 14; and Tara, 10. When he's not at the office, Sundsted enjoys spending time with family and friends doing a variety of activities, including hunting, fishing, boating, off-road motorcycle riding and coaching youth sports.

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.

PO Box 281213 Lakewood , CO 80228-2802 · Phone: 720-962-7050 · Toll Free: 1-800-982-4523
Fax: 720-962-7059 · E-mail: CorpComm@wapa.gov· Web site: http://www.wapa.gov

Serving the West with Federal hydropower

Return to the Newsroom.