Authors and Reviewers

Over 35 industry professionals were involved in authoring and reviewing the training materials that make up the Lineworker Certification Program. Authors such as the late Gordon Solee, who is a nationally recognized expert in transformer theory and banking, Bob Harmon of A.B. Chance, who made significant contributions to the design of modern hot sticks, Allen Clapp, the foremost expert on the NESC, James Mack, current author of the Lineman’s Cableman’s Handbook are just a few of the many talents who have added a vast amount of knowledge to the Lineworker Certification Program.

Read about our authors and the contributions they have made in the power delivery industry, including their authorship of the Lineworker Certification Program.

Peter Catchpole

Engineer and Project Manager for Power Engineers

Mr. Catchpole is a Civil Engineer, graduating from Queen’s University in Canada. He entered a transmission line engineering career in 1977 and was employed by both small and large unilities in Canada. He is currently employed with Power Engineers, where he is an Engineer and Project manager. He tends to gravitate towards the unique and challenging projects where the unusual solutions are required. His strength resides in project execution and a detailed understanding of the conductor system. He is a member of ASCE and IEEE and a Professional Engineer in Ontario, Canada.

Allen Clapp

P.E., P.L.S, President of Clapp Research Associates

Mr. Clapp has been involved in the design and evaluation of electric supply and communication facilities for over 30 years and has investigated over 400 accidents. Clapp is a member of the National Electric Safety Committee and member of subcommittees such as; Strengths and Loadings, Clearances and Coordination. He has served continuously on NESC technical subcommittees since 1971 and has chaired a number of special working groups. Clapp also chairs ANSI Z535.2 subcommittee on Environmental and Facility Safety signs. He is also an editor for the NESC Handbook and is a contributor to McGraw-Hill’s Standard Handbook for Electrical Engineers.

David J. Dolezilek

Automation Technology Manager for Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.

Mr. Dolezilek received his BSEE from Montana State University in 1987. In addition to independent control system project consulting, he worked for the State of California, Department of Water Resources, and the Montana Power Company before joining Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. in 1996 as a system integration project engineer. Through various promotions Dolezilek was promoted to Automation Technology Manager in 1998 focusing on the research and design of automated systems. He is the author of numerous technical papers and is a member of the IEEE, the IEEE Technical Committee, Cigre WG 35.16, and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Jim Fiegle

Supervisor of Transmission Engineering for Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO)

Mr. Fiegle obtained his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University in 1969. He supervised substation design engineers, electrical transmission engineers, and negotiated joint pole agreements until 1991. Fiegle was assigned to manage the NIPSCO electric control center where he has been employed since 1969. During his employment with NIPSCO he assumed responsibility of substation maintenance for 3 years before returning to the company’s central engineering department to supervise the substation, transmission and transmission planning engineers. He has been a long time member of the IEEE.

Robert Harmon

P.E. Consulting Engineer, A.B. Chance Company (Retired)

Mr. Harmon graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University in 1951. He went on to obtain his MSEE in 1955. He worked for the Ohio Brass Company for 14 years as the Director of new product development and a development engineer. From 1968 to 1995 he was Chief Engineer and Engineering Manager for A.B. Chance Company. Harmon holds 30+ U.S. Patents on insulation and electrical apparatus. He is a consultant for Hydro Quebec for the development of the first 735 kV four-conductor insulation assemblies. He is co-developer of Thortec, a self-protecting distribution system. He is a member of the IEEE, ANSI, and ASTM and has published several technical papers.

Rolf Krueger

Construction Supervisor for Pacific Gas and Electric

Mr. Krueger earned his business degree while working as a construction supervisor for Pacific Gas and Electric. Mr. Krueger was hired as a groundman for Pacific Gas and Electric in 1983 in Petaluma, California. After one year, he began his apprenticeship in general construction (underground) and finished his apprenticeship on an overhead heavy crew. From 1990-1997 Krueger was an electric crew leader, responsible for the maintenance construction of transmission and distribution electric overhead and underground facilities. He is currently a construction supervisor in the general construction electric department, where he supervises 37 employees.

Jack Logan

Superintendent of Construction Shops for Idaho Power Company (Retired)

Mr. Logan went to work in the transformer department at Idaho Power Company in 1947. While working at Idaho Power, Logan received an associate’s degree in Electrical Knowledge and Engineering through correspondence from the University of Idaho. While at Idaho Power he also taught courses in Basic Electricity and Transformer theory. Logan also had the opportunity to teach BSU Electrical Lineworker students transformers for two semesters and as well as teaching at various utilities in the Northwest.

James Mack

P.E., B.S.E.E., M.B.A. Manager of Electric Reliability, MidAmerican Energy Company

Mr. Mack has over 22 years of utility experience as an Electrical Transmission and Distribution Engineer. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois and went on to receive his M.B.A. from the University of Iowa. Mack is known for his accomplishments as editor and author of "The Lineman’s and Cableman’s Handbook." He is also a member of the IEEE and NSPE.

Vincent Schuster

Consulting Engineer for Interstate Power Company (Retired)

Mr. Schuster graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University. In June of 1957 he went to work for Interstate Power Company as an Engineering assistant. Schuster moved through the company as an operating superintendent, construction engineer, manager of transmission and substation design, before becoming the Director of Electrical Engineering in July of 1995. Schuster currently provides consulting services for engineers in Iowa. He is a member of the IEEE.

Wayne Van Soelen

Owner of Utility Innovations

Mr. Van Soelen began his career as a lineman on transmission and distribution, including safety. He then moved on to become an Operations Superintendent responsible for work methods, three large traveling line crews, apprentice crews and tree crews. In 1994, Van Soelen formed Utility Innovations Inc. and authored their website, www.utilityinnovations.com, devoted to electrical utility work methods. He has authored two text books, "Field Manual for Powerline Workers," and "Electric Essentials for Powerline Workers." Van Soelen works in association with Utility Risk Management Ltd., as a consultant in safety management training, accident investigations, safety management audits, job planning, and a safety management approach to work observation training for supervisors.