Speaker Bios
Daryl Anderson, Director of Distribution Engineering
Montana-Dakota Utilities, Co.
Bismarck, N.D.
Daryl Anderson is an electrical engineering graduate of North Dakota State University and has 28 years of working experience with electric and gas distribution companies in the central and northern plains. He lives in Bismarck, N.D., with his wife Joy and son Christopher.
Melissa Baruth, DOT Coordinator
NorthWestern Energy
Huron, S.D.
Melissa Baruth works primarily with compliance items for NorthWestern Energy's South Dakota and Nebraska system. She has 12 years of experience in pipeline compliance and 18 years of utility experience. Baruth holds a master's degree in business administration from the University of South Dakota and a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. She also holds a NACE Level 1 certification.
Jon Brown, Regulatory Compliance Coordinator
Sinclair Transportation Co./Pipeline Association
Sinclair, Wyo.
Jon Brown is the current chairperson for the Wyoming Pipeline Association. He has worked for Sinclair Transportation Co. for 23 years. For the past 15 years he has served as the regulatory compliance coordinator. His responsibilities include all things associated with the pipeline safety regulations. He is on the API pipeline integrity working group and the operator qualification working group and represents the hazardous liquid operator members on the Pipeline Association for Public Awareness.
David E. Bull, Principal
Sugar Land, Texas
David Bull has more than 35 years of experience helping pipeline operators with regulatory compliance programs and managing risk and liability exposures. His expertise includes training, regulatory compliance, odorization audit development, and the evaluation of manuals and damage prevention programs. He has completed a study on safe distances and class location and wrote public safety awareness and operator qualification plans. Bull's background includes risk assessments and compliance reviews for more than 75 gas utilities for AEGIS Insurance Services, membership on the Damage Prevention Quality Action Team and as a staff member of the Pipeline Safety Office of Training and Qualifications. He is a principal in ViaData LP, publishers of WinDOT, The Pipeline Safety Encyclopedia.
DeWitt Burdeaux, Transportation Specialist
U.S. Department of Transportation, PHMSA
Oklahoma City, Okla.
DeWitt Burdeaux's 30-plus year career in the energy industry includes compliance oversight, training and research for state and federal agencies as well as the private sector. Burdeaux's current responsibilities with PHMSA include training federal, state and industry personnel on pipeline safety compliance issues. He has been active with various agency initiatives, such as implementation of integrity management for hazardous liquids pipelines, background research related to integrity management for distribution pipelines, and rulemaking for onshore natural gas gathering lines.
Tom Bussard, Corrosion Engineer
Denver, Colo.
Tom Bussard has been in the corrosion/cathodic protection industry since January of 1973 and is currently employed with Farwest Corrosion Control Co. as a corrosion engineer. He has experience not only as a corrosion expert but also as a pipeline construction inspector, instrumentation technician, electrician and welding inspector. With more than 23 years of being self-employed, before taking a position with Farwest, Bussard was exposed to a vast myriad of corrosion scenarios and makes his experience a valuable asset to share.
Karen Butler, Accident Investigations Supervisor
Kansas City, Mo.
Karen Butler has been with PHMSA a little more than 10 years. Her first five years with PHMSA were spent as a community assistance and technical services team member which included significant activities associated with the control room regulation, PIPA, EPA and DOJ consent decree coordination, FEMA ESF#1 team, regional CGA development, DOS presidential permit support and FERC technical services, state partner support, and strategic project assistance associated with outreach program development. Butler brought to this position more than 20 years of experience in the natural gas utility business. She received an electrical engineering degree from Kansas State University and has worked for Panhandle Eastern, MGE and Kansas Pipeline Company (a previous division of Enbridge).
Kurt Dutchuk, Protection Services Supervisor
Dakota Gasification Company/North Dakota Pipeline Association
Beulah, N.D.
Kurt Dutchuk has been a member of the North Dakota Pipeline Association since it was developed. He is a protection services supervisor with Dakota Gasification Company which owns and operates two pipelines that transport synthetic natural gas and carbon dioxide. Dutchuk has been responsible for the emergency response training for DGC employees and fire departments for the past 12 years. He is an industrial fire fighter and an EMT.
Frank Hauk, Assistant Plant Manager
Rapid City, S.D.
Frank Hauk has been in the power generation department for Black Hills Power for 29 years, working in operations and maintenance on coal-fired steam turbines, duel fuel combustion turbines, aero-derivative gas-fired combustion turbines and EMD diesel electric generators. He is currently the assistant plant manager for the 10 electric generators at Ben French and Lange Power Plants in Rapid City, S.D. Five of the turbine/generator units are fueled by natural gas. He was introduced to the natural gas pipeline business in 2007 and has been learning ever since.
Marty Iozzo, NACE Certified Cathodic Protection Specialist
General Corrosion Corp.
Plymouth, Minn.
Marty Iozzo is the president and co-owner of General Corrosion Corp., a Twin Cities based full-service corrosion control company specializing in cathodic protection. He is a NACE-certified cathodic protection specialist. He has been active in the corrosion industry for more than 25 years and has been a member of NACE since 1991. He is the conference and events chairman for the Twin Cities Section of NACE. His educational background is in electronic technology and his professional experience is an accumulation of years of hands-on fieldwork in the corrosion control industry. Iozzo is an NCCER-certified craft evaluator/instructor for pipeline corrosion control, pipeline maintenance, pipeline core and pipeline curricula and an authorized OQ evaluator for Veriforce.
Larry Janes, Executive Director
South Dakota One Call
Rapid City, S.D.
Larry Janes has been executive director of South Dakota One Call since August 2009. He began his career as a lineman with Northwestern Bell in Jamestown, N.D., in 1970. He has held various outside plant positions in which his duties included locating, placing and splicing copper and fiber underground facilities. He later managed those operations in North Dakota, northeastern Minnesota, Rapid City and the northern Black Hills. Janes was a project manager in the corporate headquarters of US West where he served on a national standards setting committee to address issues between local telecommunications providers and long distance companies.
Don Johnson, Chairman
North Dakota Pipeline Association
Glendive, Mont.
Don Johnson is the technical training and pipeline safety awareness coordinator for WBI Energy Transmission. He has 10 years of experience in the pipeline industry, the last three of which have been coordinating WBI Energy's operator qualification and pipeline awareness programs. Johnson currently serves as the chairman for the North Dakota Pipeline Association and vice chairman for the Montana Liquids and Gas Pipeline Association. His past experience includes three years as a road master in the railroad industry. He has a bachelor's of science degree in industrial technology from Utah State University.
Stanley Kastanas, Director, Office of Substance Abuse Policy, Investigations & Compliance
USDOT/PHMSA
Washington, D.C.
A veteran of 32 years in the pipeline industry, Stanley Kastanas entered into government as PHMSA's director of enforcement. He is credited for substantial improvements in standardizing and streamlining the enforcement process with such initiatives as conceptualizing and leading the first development of an integrated compliance tracking and reporting work-management system. A chemical engineer by discipline, he holds other engineering, management, construction, and professional degrees and credentials and has served as a subject matter expert in a number of areas, such as LNG, LPG, OQ, distribution and interstate pipeline O&M, plant and pipeline facility design, facility testing, development of plans and procedures, emergency response, and other critical areas.
Eric Kirkpatrick, P.E., Director of Pipeline Services
Structural Integrity Associates
Centennial, Colo.
Eric Kirkpatrick has more than 25 years of experience in gas distribution and gas transmission pipelines. His expertise includes gas distribution engineering, gas planning/modeling, pipeline engineering, pipeline integrity management, pipeline construction, project management, pipeline operations and maintenance, process improvement and benchmarking. Kirkpatrick has a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from California Polytechnic State University and a master's degree in business administration from California State University at Stanislaus.
J.D. Maniscalco, Executive Director
Golden, Colo.
J.D. Maniscalco is in his 21st year as the Utility Notification Center of Colorado's (COLORADO 811) executive director. Maniscalco has assembled a world-class contact center and staff instilling values of teamwork, integrity, loyalty and dedication. He has traveled extensively abroad to such places as Brazil, Peru and England to learn and share the One Call vision. He is the current chair of the Data Collection Committee of One Call Systems International and represents one call centers on the U.S. Common Ground Alliance's board of directors. Under his direction, COLORADO 811 developed the nation's first damage reporting mechanism.
Teresa McGrath, Safety Coordinator
NorthWestern Energy
Butte, Mont.
Teresa McGrath works in NorthWestern Energy's safety, health, and environmental services department. Her responsibilities include employee and public safety. She has 16 years of safety experience and 25 years with the utility. McGrath's responsibilities include program administration and compliance for pipeline safety. She holds a safety professional certification from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals and an associate of science degree in occupational safety and health from Montana Tech of the University of Montana. McGrath currently serves as the chairperson for the Montana Liquid and Gas Pipeline Association.
Dana J. Medlin, Senior Consultant
Omaha, Neb.
Sheila Mennenga, HR/Risk Coordinator
Watertown Municipal Utilities
Watertown, S.D.
Sheila Mennenga has more than 18 years of human resource experience, including five years as the director of human resources for a background screening company that provided drug testing services for its clients. She received her senior professional in human resources certification in 2009. As the HR/Risk Coordinator at Watertown Municipal Utilities, Mennenga is responsible for the DOT and non-DOT drug testing programs for all employees. She resides in Watertown, S.D., with her husband and three sons.
Warren Miller, Operations Supervisor
U.S. Department of Transportation, PHMSA, Pipeline Safety Central Region
Kansas City, Mo.
Warren Miller's 20-plus year career with PHMSA includes positions as a petroleum engineer, staff engineer, state liaison, project manager and operations supervisor in Denver, Kansas City, Mo., and Houston. Miller has been involved with all types of inspections including providing guidance in the development of the operator qualification protocols and inspection forms. He is also a charter and current member of the ASME B31Q Standard Committee. Prior to joining PHMSA, Miller worked in oilfield drilling and exploration, providing consulting services to oil and gas companies from Louisiana to Wyoming. He earned a petroleum engineering technology degree from Oklahoma State University.
Aaron Morman, Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Inspector & Program Manager
North Dakota Public Service Commission
Bismarck, N.D.
Aaron Morman had more than 20 years of experience as a technician in the pipeline industry before joining the North Dakota PSC staff in 2012. He spent nearly 10 years as an instrumentation and electrical technician for Dakota Gasification Co. then went on to positions as an O&M technician for Northern Border Pipeline and Alliance Pipeline. Morman has experience working with landowners and stakeholders to ensure positive relationships among the company, landowners and construction contractors. His resume also includes 10 years as a dairy farmer in western North Dakota. Morman holds an associate's degree in electronic technology and instrumentation from the North Dakota State College of Science.
Chad Olson, Director of Education & Public Relations
North Dakota One Call
Steele, N.D.
Chad Olson has worked for One Call Concepts, the organization that has the contract for the North Dakota One Call center, since October of 2007. He reports directly to an eight member board of directors that oversees the One Call system. He works with the board to educate contractors, operators and the public about One Call. He attends damage prevention functions, pipeline awareness meetings, home shows, and agriculture expos to help spread the 811 message. Olson was previously employed by BEK Communications Cooperative for 35 years. He and his wife Deb have a daughter and one grandchild.
James M. Pates, Assistant Chief Counsel
U.S. Department of Transportation, PHMSA
Washington, D.C.
Jim Pates has served since 2007 as assistant chief counsel for pipeline safety in the Office of Chief Counsel, PHMSA, U.S. Department of Transportation. He supervises a legal team responsible for the legal enforcement of the federal pipeline safety laws and that provides a broad range of legal services including rulemakings, advisory bulletins and other guidance, legislation, and litigation to the Office of Pipeline Safety. Prior to 2007, he was the city attorney for Fredericksburg, Va., for 18 years. During this time, the city suffered the loss of its entire public water supply due to an oil pipeline accident. Pates subsequently testified before Congress, published several papers on pipeline safety, and helped form the Pipeline Safety Trust, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving pipeline safety and environmental protection. He has also served as counsel for the Committee on Government Operations, U.S. House of Representatives, and had a private law practice in Virginia.
David Piroutek, Engineering Section Supervisor
Wyoming Public Service Commission
Cheyenne, Wyo.
David Piroutek has been the engineering section supervisor for the Wyoming Public Service Commission since April 2005. Prior to that, he was an engineering consultant and the electrical engineer with the commission. Piroutek is very active in the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives where he is currently the Western Region vice chairman and serves on the legislative committee and control room management and gathering line task groups. He is also a member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' staff subcommittee on pipeline safety. He has a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Bill Putnam, Gas Control Supervisor
MidAmerican Energy Co.
Sioux City, Iowa
Bill Putnam has been a gas control supervisor for MidAmerican Energy Co. since 1995. He has been with MidAmerican for more than 32 years and previously held positions in electric control and electric metering.
Scott Riccardella, Consultant/Project Manager
Structural Integrity Associates
Centennial, Colo.
Scott Riccardella holds an engineering degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and for five years has participated and managed a number of integrity management and assessment projects for Structural Integrity. In addition to performing engineering services, he holds a master degree in business from the University of California, Irvine, and provides regular project management and training on various integrity management projects, advanced NDE Testing methodologies, and SI assessment methods and procedures.
Richard Roen
Fergus Falls, Minn.
Richard Roen has a 16-year sales history with Locators & Supplies, Inc. His expertise is in various types and models of cable/pipe locations in many different scenarios.
D. Kevin Shuttlesworth, Senior Technical Advisor
NorthWestern Energy
Butte, Mont.
Kevin Shuttlesworth is a technical advisor for NorthWestern Energy's Distribution Gas System Integrity group. He leads the DIMP Team and supports most aspects of gas distribution including PHMSA compliance inspections, operations and maintenance standards, operator qualifications, metering and regulation standards, gas meter testing, damage prevention, training, and gas and electric automatic meter reading. Shuttlesworth has more than 32 years with Montana Power/NorthWestern Energy. He has a degree in electrical engineering from Montana State and is a registered professional engineer in the state of Montana and is a certified corrosion technologist through the National Association of Corrosion Engineers. He is also an active member of the Western Gas Measurement Short Course Committee.
Nathan Solem, Pipeline Safety Program Manager
South Dakota Public Utilities Commission
Pierre, S.D.
Nathan Solem began working as an analyst for the South Dakota PUC in 2006 and became a certified pipeline inspector in 2009. He currently directs the pipeline safety program and performs inspections. His background includes more than 30 years of experience in various industry positions including engineering, finance, operations and administration. Solem holds a master's degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix and a bachelor's degree in metallurgical engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. He has completed all required and elective training courses from the federal Pipeline Safety Office of Training and Qualifications.
Melinda Steckler, Employee Relations Manager
Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.
Bismarck, N.D.
Melinda Steckler has an education degree from North Dakota State University and more than 15 years of human resource experience. She has also been certified as a professional in human resources since 2005. Steckler resides in Bismarck, N.D., with her husband and two sons.
Sheila Suurmeier, Generation Compliance Coordinator
Rapid City, S.D.
Sheila Suurmeier has more than 32 years of utility experience working for Black Hills Corp. She is responsible for all aspects of compliance with federal and state regulations related to the 18 generation facilities within Black Hills Corp. located in South Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado. Suurmeier is involved with the South Dakota and Colorado pipeline associations for public awareness and the Black Hills Energy internal public awareness working group.
Collens Wakefield, Executive Director
Cheyenne, Wyo.
Collens Wakefield has served as the leader of One-Call of Wyoming since August 2009. His career includes 36 years in the natural gas industry, from working in the field to supervisor of gas operations. He also served his IBEW local as negotiator-at-large, executive board member, vice president and president/business manager. He served five years on the board of directors of One-Call of Wyoming.
Harold Winnie, Community Assistance & Technical Services Regional Project Manager
U.S. Department of Transportation, PHMSA
Kansas City, Mo.
Harold Winnie has been with PHMSA for 10 years. His experience covers a broad range of activities, including gas and electric operations, construction, materials testing and failure analysis investigation. Winnie's current duties involve providing pipeline safety information at public meetings, participating in Common Ground Alliance and state damage prevention activities, and communicating pipeline safety information to a variety of stakeholders. He also serves as an ombudsman, working with landowners and operators to increase understanding and assist in the resolution of issues/concerns.
Mary Zanter, Pipeline Safety Inspector
South Dakota Public Utilities Commission
Pierre, S.D.
Mary Zanter has a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and a master's degree in business administration. Prior to joining the South Dakota PUC staff in 2012, she worked for MidAmerican Energy for 19 years, first as a plant engineer at Neal Generating Station, then as a gas engineer, and finally as an operations supervisor in Sioux Falls, S.D. She then spent two years working for Interstates Engineering in Sioux Center, Iowa, as a senior project engineer doing electric distribution design for manufacturing facilities.