NEWS FROM WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 3, 2009
CONTACT: JoAnn Kayser, 605-353-2655, jkayser@wapa.gov

WESTERN WOONSOCKET RESIDENT RECOGNIZED FOR DEDICATION

 Lakewood, Colo.—Woonsocket  resident James Dickey will receive Western Area Power Administration’s highest honor at a ceremony June 11 at the Crossroads Hotel and Convention Center in Huron, S.D. Western’s Administrator Tim Meeks will present Dickey with Western’s Exceptional Service Award during the ceremony.

“Our employees make up the heart and soul of our organization and are the key to our success,” said Western’s Administrator Tim Meeks. "Employees like Jim inspire us through his outstanding contributions, commitment and service. I appreciate his strong work ethic, persistence, determination and dedication to helping us succeed.”

Upon retiring from the Air Force after 20 years, Dickey worked at Peterson Air Force Base before transferring to Western's headquarters in Golden, Colo., in 1992. He relocated to Huron, S.D., as the Procurement team lead in 1996. He assumed the position of Upper Great Plains Procurement manager in 1997 and has served in that capacity ever since.

Dickey has distinguished himself as a Procurement expert in Western. He is regularly called on by Procurement specialists from California, Arizona and other Western states for his advice and guidance, particularly in construction contracting.

He attended Georgia Military College. He and wife, Jane, live in Woonsocket, S.D. They have eight children and five grandchildren. Dickey has consistently volunteered at the Department of Energy’s Regional Science Bowl competitions. He enjoys bowling, sports of all kinds, and participates in Western's bowling team annually.

The Exceptional Service Award is the highest award granted by Western's Administrator. In addition to serving Western for at least five years, employees must meet four criteria to earn this recognition, including:

• Provide outstanding service or an established record of achievement in conducting or improving departmental goals
• Accomplish assigned responsibilities in an exemplary manner
• Demonstrate unusual initiative in contributing to the efficiency of the organization or improved management
• Provide outstanding executive or technical ability, or unusual devotion to duty under adverse conditions

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Western Area Power Administration annually markets and transmits more than 10,000 megawatts of clean, renewable 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

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