Celebrating the Veterans Who Serve in Public Power

Throughout 2024, AMP has been shining a spotlight on the People Moving Public Power Forward through a multimedia campaign by sharing stories of public servants at AMP and our Member communities who are dedicated to public service through their careers in public power. In honor of Veterans Day, we’d also like to recognize veterans who have built their post-military careers working in public power.

Each year, about 200,000 people leave U.S. military service and return to civilian life, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Many find their way into the utility industry and in particular to public power. According to the U.S. Energy & Employment Report 2024, 9 percent of the U.S. energy workforce are veterans, which is higher than the overall U.S. economy, where veterans represent about 5 percent of the workforce. At AMP, veterans comprise about 8 percent of our full-time staff.

Veterans make a good match for the electric industry, in particular public power, for a number of reasons. They offer a number of qualities important to public power, including:

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·?????? Experience working in high-consequence environments;

·?????? Training in and a commitment to safety;

·?????? A 24/7/365 mentality that fits the electric industry;

·?????? A drive to succeed; and

·?????? A diverse knowledge, a spirit of continuous learning and improvement, and a commitment to excellence.

More specifically, one of the veterans working at AMP who exemplifies that match is WJ (Willey) Sandell, AMP’s Vice President of Generation Operations and Development. Sandell served in the U.S. Navy for six years, attended the Navy’s nuclear power school, earned the rank of machinist mate, second class, and worked in the power plant of a submarine, before going on to earn a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from San Diego State University. Since joining AMP, he has also recruited a number of fellow veterans.

“It’s a good symbiotic relationship,” Sandell said. “The military teaches you a lot of great skills, and those skills translate really well into the power industry and into public power.” “The other thing that you get from a military person in public power is someone who really knows how to work hard,” said Sandell. “One thing that we do, especially in power generation here at AMP, is make electricity, 7/24/365. There are always issues 7/24/365 and you have to be on call all the time. Being in the military, we are used to always being on shift.”

Veterans have a service to community mindset that can’t be overstated when it comes to matching people to a job in public power. Veterans bring that commitment with them along with excellent training and education.

“There was almost a year of schooling that went with my training,” said Anthony Belcher, AMP’s Director of Hydro Compliance and Dam Safety, and a Navy veteran who served as a gas turbine electrician. “The hands-on training was second to none. I was in a plant setting, and it translated so well to the utility industry and operating a power plant. I dealt with gas turbines, electrical distribution and auxiliary equipment that is identical to what I do today.”’

And when it comes to public power, the transition from “service to country” to “service to community” is seamless.

“It’s an excellent transition for veterans because, just like national defense, the utility industry is vital to our everyday way of life,” Belcher said. “In the utility industry, you can find endless opportunities to reach your maximum potential. You can utilize the skills developed during your military service on a daily basis. By working in the utility industry, you are continuing your service to those in your local community.”

The theme for Veterans Day 2024 — “A Legacy of Loyalty and Service” — is particularly salient as we honor veterans at AMP and across our footprint who continue to serve their communities day in and day out. Those who have served in the military have many of the core values that we embrace as an organization — integrity, stewardship, accountability. This alignment with AMP helps us provide high-quality, forward-looking services and solutions to our Members and their customers.

On Veterans Day, AMP salutes and honors all veterans, particularly those who put service and duty to public power and their community at the forefront.