Western Watts

Keeping the power on often requires long days, tough conditions, and strong leadership in the field. In this episode, Line Foreman Adrian Garcia takes us inside his current work along the Frontier–Picacho transmission line in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Adrian shares how he leads crews maintaining and restoring critical transmission infrastructure—and why their work is essential to system reliability...

From breakers to protective relays, reliable power depends on experts who know every detail of the system.  As a Substation Technician, John Swanson works at facilities like the Cahone Substation, helping ensure our transmission system operates safely and efficiently each day.  In this episode, John offers insight into his role at substations and how they help deliver power to our members. 

Reliable power starts with reliable communication.  In this episode, Telecommunications Foreman Nick Franklin takes us behind the scenes of the systems that keep remote locations connected across the transmission network. From maintaining critical infrastructure to supporting safe, dependable power delivery, Nick’s work plays a vital role in keeping energy flowing where it’s needed most.

In this episode of Western Watts, hosts Elizabeth Schilling and Julia Eshleman sit down with Travis Berg, Vice President of Transmission Maintenance at Tri‑State, for an inside look at the people and systems that keep the power flowing. Travis breaks down how Tri-State's transmission line, substation, and telecommunication department work together across our four states, and why much of this criti...

What do river rapids, rural Colorado, and the future of Western water policy all have in common?   In this episode of Western Watts , hosts Elizabeth Shilling and Julia Eshleman interview Jackie Brown, the Senior Water and Natural Resource Policy Advisor at Tri-State. Jackie shares her extensive background in water policy and natural resource management, detailing her journey from raft guiding to...

What happens when parts of the Western grid aren’t fully connected — and how do we fix it?   In this episode of Western Watts , hosts Elizabeth Schilling and Julia Eshleman sit down with Tri‑State CEO Duane Highley to explore how regional transmission organizations (RTOs) can help mend the gap between fragmented power systems in the West.   Duane breaks down what RTOs are, why coordination across...

From planning the environment to shaping the future of energy. Jennifer Prokop joins Elizabeth Shilling and Julia Eshelman on Western Watts to share how Tri-State’s Demand Response program is transforming grid reliability and cutting costs for members. Discover the innovative strategies behind smart thermostats, irrigation management, and industrial load adjustments, and learn why collaboration an...

Ever wondered how batteries could reshape the future of energy?   Join Elizabeth Shilling and Julia Eshelman as they interview Sarah Ruen, Vice President of Regulatory and Origination at Tri-State, discussing the evolving role of battery storage in energy management. They cover topics such as the benefits of battery storage, the integration of renewable resources, utility-scale battery operation,...

What happens when a childhood tornado scare sparks a lifelong mission to protect communities from disaster?    In this episode of the Western Watts Podcast, hosts Elizabeth Shilling and Julia Eshelman interview Pete Slintak, the Business Resiliency Manager at Tri-State. Pete discusses his role in preparing for and responding to natural or cyber disasters, all driven by his passion for crisis manag...

How do four Relationship Managers cover nearly 200,000 square miles of member service territories?   In this special National Cooperative Month episode, we sit down with Jay Mendoza, Tri-State's Member Relations Manager, to explore the heart of cooperative service: Relationships. Hear how his team builds trust, supports members, and strengthens our community every day. 

What does it really take to power our communities without polluting them? In this episode of the Western Watts Podcast, hosts Elizabeth Shilling and Julia Perry sit down with Chris Reichard, Senior Environmental Policy Analyst at Tri-State, to uncover the surprisingly fascinating world of environmental compliance in the electric utility industry. From decoding complex regulations to protecting air...

What if the key to managing power consumption, wildfires, and infrastructure planning was hidden in a map? Join hosts Elizabeth Shilling and Julia Perry on the Western Watts Podcast as they dive into the world of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with Rich Garcia, the Geospatial Data Systems Manager at Tri-State. With 15 years at Tri-State, Rich has witnessed the evolution of GIS technology and...

The Complex World of Energy Markets with Tim Cusick   In this episode of Western Watts, Elizabeth Shilling and Julia Perry sit down with Tim Cusick, the Power and Gas Marketing Supervisor at Tri-State. Tim provides deep insights into the complexities of energy markets, discussing everything from managing diverse energy sources and balancing supply and demand, to the potential impact of new technol...

Safety isn’t a checklist—it’s a mindset that transforms organizations.   Join Chad Orvis, our VP of Safety and Workplace Strategy, on Western Watts as we explore how Tri-State’s award-winning safety programs go beyond compliance to create unity, boost performance, and aim for zero injuries. Hear real-life success stories that can reshape how your team approaches workplace safety, because whether i...

What if upgrading your home’s energy systems could lead to significant savings and improved comfort?   In this episode of Western Watts, hosts Melissa Swinehart and Julia Perry sit down with Pete Rusin, Senior Electrification Manager at Tri-State, to explore the transformative impact of energy efficiency and electrification programs across Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Nebraska. Discover how...

What does it really take to keep your lights on—and your power bill low—in a changing energy world? In Episode 6 of the Western Watts Podcast, hosts Elizabeth Shilling and Julia Perry sit down with Lisa Tiffin, Senior Vice President of Energy Management, and Matt Fitzgibbon, Senior Manager of Planning Analytics at Tri-State. The conversation dives into the high-stakes world of electric resource pl...

What does it take to power rural America?   Join host Elizabeth Schilling as she uncovers bold ideas and personal stories at the Tri-State Annual Meeting with cooperative leaders Molly Lynn, Ruth Marks, Corey Robinson, and David Spradlin. From cutting-edge technology and legislative wins to community-driven wildfire strategies, hear how these innovators are reshaping the future of energy. Tune in...

What’s it like balancing land stewardship with the responsibility of powering rural communities?  In this episode of Western Watts, host Elizabeth sits down with Corey Robinson from Empire Electric, a board member and owner representative to the Tri-State Board. Corey shares his passion for energy and preserving the land and opens up about the unique challenges of delivering reliable, affordable e...

What do 25 Tri-State annual meetings teach you about leadership and legacy?  In this episode, host Elizabeth speaks with Ruth Marks, CEO of Mountain View Electric Association, who brings a wealth of experience from both the distribution and transmission sides of the cooperative world. Ruth reflects on decades of co-op evolution, the persistent need for affordable and reliable service, and the shar...

Can artificial intelligence and drones shape the future of rural power?  In this episode of Western Watts, host Elizabeth interviews David Spradlin, CEO of Springer Electric Cooperative, David discusses his extensive experience in the co-op world, from his beginnings at Springer in 1986 to his role on the Board of Directors for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. He shares insight...

How does a six-person team keep the lights on across rural Wyoming?  In this episode of Western Watts, host Elizabeth talks with Molly Lynn, General Manager of Garland Light and Power. Molly gives a behind-the-scenes look at how a small-but-mighty team delivers top-tier service through community connection and strong cooperative support. She talks about the advantages of being part of the larger T...

If you could do one thing today to improve the lives of your grandchildren, or even great great grandchildren, what would you want it to be? For Tri-State G&T CEO Duane Highley, that thing is providing them with reliable, affordable and responsible power.   In the final installment of his three-part interview, Duane discusses how the projects and decisions they’re making today will benefit coo...

Join Tri-State's CEO for the second installment of his three-part interview to discuss something near and dear to his heart: reliability planning as it relates to increased demand, extreme weather and prehistoric reptilian monsters. All jokes aside, reliability is the driving force behind what Tri-State does for our members. Duane has been at the forefront of reliability planning and figuring out...

Tim Rabon can do a lot of things well, but retiring is not one of them. Get to know the busiest retired man you’ll ever meet and hear what Tim does as Tri-State's Chairman of the Board. Tim also walks you through an easy-to-understand history of why cooperatives exist and how crucial they are to the rural way of life.   The son of a World War Two veteran and life-long New Mexico rancher, Tim has s...

No one wants to hear the word wildfire -- except Curtis Hartenstine because he’s been working to mitigate their risk for most of his career. As the Wildfire Mitigation Program Manager at Tri-State G& T, the w-word has been a part of Curtis’ daily life for decades.   In this episode of Western Watts, we dive into how Curtis’ deep love of the nature has taken him from working at a shipyard in Ma...