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  January (2024) Member Spotlight: Mary Chapa (CPS Energy)

  Posted by Kevin Praet (Adm) on January 8, 2024 at 1:28 am

  @Mary 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 her in the January 2024 UAI Member Spotlight. 

   

  Kevin: How did you get into the utility analytics industry?

  Mary:

  I started my career working in accounting roles in oil and gas and solar manufacturing prior to transitioning to water and electric. In those roles, I learned to build Access databases and use data visualization software which kick-started my interest in analytics. As I continued learning, I began seeing more opportunities to provide insights and improve processes operationally, not just in terms of auditing or financial analysis. In 2021, I had an opportunity to join my current team as they matured their “hub” and have enjoyed it each day since.

   

  Kevin: What project have you enjoyed working on most in your career?

  Mary:

  Operationalizing Telematics data has been, by far, the most enjoyable project for me thus far. The data has the potential to improve so many processes and create products that strengthen the service and delivery to our end-customers. As one example, within Fleet, we are using the data to predict critical failures and down time by looking at road calls and triggered diagnostic codes from Telematics.

   

  What’s most rewarding, though, is recognizing how many cross-functional workstreams it takes to sustain this program – on the hardware side, data and integrations, and also in terms of data governance. I am very proud of the continuous effort and the bright folks it takes to make this program a success.

   

  Kevin: What has been your biggest professional challenge and how did you work through it?

  Mary:

  One of the biggest professional challenges I’ve had to face relates to enterprise-wide change management, especially as we’re introducing new software and technologies. Continuous communication and transparency – including making yourself available for organic conversations-are all strategies that have helped with this.

   

  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?

  Mary:

  It may feel like it takes a lot longer to get things done within the utility industry. Within analytics, it can sometimes be difficult to introduce new methodologies or models. Don’t get discouraged by that, though, and keep learning, communicating, teaching, and pushing innovation forward.

   

  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?

  Mary:

  There are so many opportunities to share and learn from our peers on UAI Connect. One of the topics I’d be interested in is data that’s collected from Electric Vehicles and charging stations.

   

  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?

  Mary:

  Looking forward to the UA Summit in April! I know our group is looking for a rematch on the building contest!
  

  ——————————
  Kevin Praet
  Membership Coordinator
  Utility Analytics Institute (UAI)
  Boulder CO
  315-440-3033
  ——————————

  Kevin Praet (Adm) replied 10 months, 2 weeks ago 1 Member · 0 Replies
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