William Houghton

Teaching Lock Tag Out Classes at People’s Gas Training facilities for Union Employees

Marking new gas services for People’s Gas System motorization Main replacement program, and for individual address for gas service renewals

Line of lay walks for final approvals for design of new future replacement projects.

Provided leadership to field employees assigned to Operations and Maintenance activities including coaching, staffing, district business planning, budgeting and process improvement to ensure outputs met established gas operations service leave

Identified and implemented strategic direction and best practices in Customer Operations relating to field operations and resource management including the scheduling of work (internal/external) and the strategic management of the contracted workforce

Delivered leadership and direction during escalated events (outages or other emergency situations)

Managed relationship with union employees and local board members

Conducted investigations of misconduct and work rule violations for processing grievances

Provided oversight to frontline supervisors and field employees assigned to various operational activities in Customer Operations and Construction.

Managed the execution of the Damage Prevention strategy for Peoples Gas. This included all locating work of underground facilities and oversight of the Watch and Protect responsibilities to meet system-wide requirements within the City of Chicago.

Implemented change within the work group to ensure best practices, greater efficiencies and compliance, while monitoring performance indicators to ensure results are aligned with the business plan.

Provided backup support for the PGL and NSG cross-bore program.

Promoted the philosophy of public and employee safety across all Damage Prevention activities in order to achieve business objectives and continuously improve performance.

Established and maintained effective relationships with external stakeholders including city contractors, third party excavators and constituents in order to identify and deliver solutions that benefited all parties.

Built relationships and outreach educational/awareness programs with contractors excavating in the City of Chicago in order to maintain oversight of work planned or being performed around existing gas facilities i n order to protect the safety of the contractors and the public.

Implemented and maintained industry best practice procedures for locators including directional boring monitoring, sample verification of locates, and productivity Standards.

Implemented business processes for damage prevention program as related to Facilities installed using trenchless technologies.

Maintained performance metrics for damage prevention and cross bore prevention to assess progress on achievement of best practices including supporting field supervisors with data necessary for coaching field staff.

Responsible for field crews preforming maintenance activities such as service reconnects, corrosion mitigation, collection cut-offs and emergency response.

Supported capital replacement work (AMRP Project) as requested.

Planned, scheduled and assigned work to union employees engaged in the construction, operation, maintenance and repair of the gas distribution system.

Oversaw the completion of safety surveys and other regulatory compliance work.

Ensured the protection of company property, approving the purchasing of tools, materials and other supplies to wage earners, and offered assistance i n any and all areas where applicable.

Communicated with customers to resolve issues.

Met with industry professionals regarding gas piping facilities, pertinent codes and company practices.

Performed numerous supervisory assignments during this time frame including Construction/Large Fitting Supervisor, Service Zone Supervisor, Operations Dispatcher and Midnight Dispatch Supervisor.

Responsible for supervising gas operations employees i n field operations for Peoples Gas. This includes scheduling, assigning and dispatching work to gas operations, conducting tailgates and safety meetings related to operations, being knowledgeable of company rules and policies, and enforcing general practices and procedures / policies related to field activities.

Ensured the protection of company property, approved the issuance of tools, materials and other supplies to wage earners, and offered assistance i n any and all areas where applicable. Communicated effectively with customers and industry professionals regarding gas piping facilities, pertinent codes and company practices.

Responsible for the design, installation and maintenance of company appurtenances for large volume industrial and commercial customers.

Responsible for supervising and assisting gas operations on complicated appliance work and for obtaining jobbing contracts for related service work, as necessary.

Provided technical assistance to gas department personnel. Knowledge of specialty Computer applications and operational systems to ensure that work is properly assigned and completed.

Instructed and trained employees on proper work methods, the construction and operation of appliances and controls, use and care of tools and equipment, and safe work practices.