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November (2021) Member Spotlight: Chris Lyles (WAPA)
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November (2021) Member Spotlight: Chris Lyles (WAPA)
Chris Lyles is an active UAI member and provides outstanding influence and contributions to the UAI community through any of our multiple channels, including, but not limited to engagement on UAI Connect, volunteering with UAI, involvement and/or leadership in monthly Community Conversations, and/or speaking at UAI events, plus so much. As thanks, we are featuring him in the UAI Member Spotlight. Chris has been leading WAPA’s Asset Management department for the last 3 years and absolutely love the value the program brings to WAPA’s capital planning efforts. When not at WAPA, Chris spends the majority of his time with his wife and three kids playing around in the Rocky Mountains.
Kevin: How did you get into the utility analytics industry?
Member: I started capital planning for WAPA back in 2008 before asset management was even a thing. What I really needed back then was a risk-based approach to understanding WAPA’s assets, but had no idea how to make that happen. Capital planning back then was more about talking to subject matter experts to get a basic idea of what assets had the biggest issues. When AM was formalized in 2015 at WAPA, I knew I wanted to be a part of the solution.
Kevin: What project have you enjoyed working on most in your career?
Member: large power transformers and transmission lines are what intrigue me the most and bring me the most enjoyment in my career. If there’s a project or program involving one of these two fun assets, that’s where my enjoyment has been found.
Kevin: What has been your biggest professional challenge and how did you work through it?
Member: The challenge of stepping into the leadership position of a new and maturing asset management program has been the biggest challenge professionally. When something is so new, there’s so much development and opportunity in front of you that is hard to wrap you brain around. My Type A personality wants to get it all done in the first 12 months, but the reality of having limited budget and people has a way of coarse correcting even the most ambitious plans.
Kevin: If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice before entering the utility analytics industry, what would it be?
Member: If you can’t help end users visually see the asset data and enable them to make good business decisions from it, then you haven’t done your job. It’s one thing for an asset management person to think the data is cool, but if it’s so complex and hard to visualize that others can’t use it, it offers little value.
Kevin: What would you like to talk to fellow colleagues and members about in UAI Connect? Or, what issues or topics would you like to see more discussions on in UAI Connect?
Member: I’m always interested in the culture change aspect around data and analytics. Since the WAPA program is relatively new, we are still in the middle of our culture change. This aspect of our industry always fascinates me. What has worked for utilities in this area and how long does it take for people to become as excited about this asset management stuff as I am? What’s the single most important thing you can do as an asset manager when trying to shift culture around asset data?
Kevin: Thank you so much for sharing with us and for being a highly engaged member of UAI!
Do you have any final thoughts, ideas, or comments you would like to share with your fellow UAI members?
Member: Family first and work second. My headstone will likely never mention asset management and data analytics, but I sure hope it mentions something about being an awesome father and husband.
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Kevin Praet
Membership Coordinator
Utility Analytics Institute (UAI)
Boulder CO
315-440-3033
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1 Reply
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Thanks for being our November feature for the Member Spotlight, @Chris! I enjoyed reading your interview and learning how you got into the utility analytics industry and what your passions are, and I especially LOVE your final thoughts. Thanks for sharing!
Cheers,
Leslie
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Leslie Cook
Membership & Digital Engagement Manager
Utility Analytics Institute (UAI)
719-203-8650, lcook@utilityanalytics.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-01-2021 11:30
From: Kevin Praet
Subject: November (2021) Member Spotlight: Chris Lyles (WAPA)Chris Lyles is an active UAI member and provides outstanding influence and contributions to the UAI community through any of our multiple channels, including, but not limited to engagement on UAI Connect, volunteering with UAI, involvement and/or leadership in monthly Community Conversations, and/or speaking at UAI events, plus so much. As thanks, we are featuring him in the UAI Member Spotlight. Chris has been leading WAPA’s Asset Management department for the last 3 years and absolutely love the value the program brings to WAPA’s capital planning efforts. When not at WAPA, Chris spends the majority of his time with his wife and three kids playing around in the Rocky Mountains.
Kevin: How did you get into the utility analytics industry?
Member: I started capital planning for WAPA back in 2008 before asset management was even a thing. What I really needed back then was a risk-based approach to understanding WAPA’s assets, but had no idea how to make that happen. Capital planning back then was more about talking to subject matter experts to get a basic idea of what assets had the biggest issues. When AM was formalized in 2015 at WAPA, I knew I wanted to be a part of the solution.
Kevin: What project have you enjoyed working on most in your career?
Member: large power transformers and transmission lines are what intrigue me the most and bring me the most enjoyment in my career. If there’s a project or program involving one of these two fun assets, that’s where my enjoyment has been found.
Kevin: What has been your biggest professional challenge and how did you work through it?
Member: The challenge of stepping into the leadership position of a new and maturing asset management program has been the biggest challenge professionally. When something is so new, there’s so much development and opportunity in front of you that is hard to wrap you brain around. My Type A personality wants to get it all done in the first 12 months, but the reality of having limited budget and people has a way of coarse correcting even the most ambitious plans.
Kevin: If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice before entering the utility analytics industry, what would it be?
Member: If you can’t help end users visually see the asset data and enable them to make good business decisions from it, then you haven’t done your job. It’s one thing for an asset management person to think the data is cool, but if it’s so complex and hard to visualize that others can’t use it, it offers little value.
Kevin: What would you like to talk to fellow colleagues and members about in UAI Connect? Or, what issues or topics would you like to see more discussions on in UAI Connect?
Member: I’m always interested in the culture change aspect around data and analytics. Since the WAPA program is relatively new, we are still in the middle of our culture change. This aspect of our industry always fascinates me. What has worked for utilities in this area and how long does it take for people to become as excited about this asset management stuff as I am? What’s the single most important thing you can do as an asset manager when trying to shift culture around asset data?
Kevin: Thank you so much for sharing with us and for being a highly engaged member of UAI!
Do you have any final thoughts, ideas, or comments you would like to share with your fellow UAI members?
Member: Family first and work second. My headstone will likely never mention asset management and data analytics, but I sure hope it mentions something about being an awesome father and husband.
——————————
Kevin Praet
Membership Coordinator
Utility Analytics Institute (UAI)
Boulder CO
315-440-3033
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