Ron Ihrig, KPUD’s operations manager, began his electric utility career in 1979 as a groundman on the Goldendale line crew. He became a journeyman lineman, then a line crew foreman, before assuming the assistant operations manager position in 1999 and the manager’s job in 2002.

“My knowledge of the system – by coming up through the ranks – helps me a lot in my current job,” he says.

Ron’s top priority is to keep the utility’s daily operations running smoothly and safely.

“The people I get to work with are a pleasure,” he says.

Ron supervises KPUD’s four line crews whose foremen are: Kip Graves-Construction Crew, Mike Lutz-White Salmon Crew, John Starr-Goldendale Crew and Dale Stelter-Tree Trimming Crew. He also oversees the work of water/wastewater project manager Doug Miller; servicemen Bob Fitzsimmons and Mike Courtney; the purchasing agent; support assistant Robbie Cacy; warehouseman Julius Robison; mechanic Lawrence Browning; and the groundskeeper.

One important aspect of his job is to oversee the safety of the line crews. Monthly safety meetings are scheduled, followed by safety committee meetings to review and establish any needed action.

Ron works closely with the engineering department to determine future maintenance needs required for the entire KPUD operation, such as wire and new poles for upcoming projects.

“Much of our planning has to do with minimizing outage time,” Ron says. Currently, he oversees the work of the pole inspection contractors. Pole inspections are done on a routine basis to detect possible damage or rot.

“With the new tree trimming crew now on board, we can spend more time on tree-trimming and removal,” he says. “Tree disease - much of it caused by the pine bark beetle - and drought were the two factors in deciding to go ‘in-house’ with a tree-trimming crew. Trees can do a lot of damage to our lines.”

To keep everyone up-to-speed on current happenings within his department, Ron schedules weekly meetings with the engineers, line foremen, and purchasing employees. Jobs and material needs are laid out at these meetings.

“My job is just to make sure everything flows like it’s supposed to,” Ron says.

Klickitat County has benefited from Ron’s many activities outside his KPUD job. He has served over 10 years on the county fair board, heading that group as president in 2003-2004. He was Goldendale’s mayor from 1990 to 1992 and county commissioner from 1993 to 1996. His most recent appointment was to the Klickitat Valley Hospital Board.

“I learned a lot about land-use planning as commissioner, which helps me with my present job,” he says.

In recognition of his community service, Ron was presented the Outstanding Public Service Award in 1999 by the Washington Public Utility District Association.