Episode 20
Passing the Torch 2024
June 12th, 2024
27 mins 23 secs
Your Host
Special Guest
About this Episode
Kirt Mayson is a 24-year Employee of NorthWestern Energy (NorthWestern Corporation) and now serves as Senior Engineer – Business Technology, Network Engineering, and Operations for NorthWestern. He has an extensive background in Utility Communications Technologies in the areas of fiber optic and microwave systems. Previously Mr. Mayson was an employee of Tetragenics Company, a subsidiary of The Montana Power Company, and was involved in automation solutions for Communications Site Monitoring Systems, Substation Remote Telemetry Units (RTUS), and Hydro-Electric Generation Plant Control Systems. Prior to his utility career, Mr. Mayson was an engineer in the Natural Gas Compression Industry for approximately 10 years. During his tenure with UTC, he served in officer positions of UTC’s North West Region, Region 9 as well as Chair of UTC’s Regional Divisions. Mr. Mayson received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering from Montana Tech (now Montana Technological University).
In his role as Manager of Telecom Sales & Services, Gary Vondrasek leads JEA’s communication initiatives and manages the 800-mile utility fiber optic network and utility transport networks in addition to the utility wireless networks which includes the utility owned communication towers and other vertical infrastructure. Gary also manages the Pole Attachment, Wireless Collocation, and Dark Fiber enterprises for collocation and leasing. Gary is highly skilled in both business development and operational management with the responsibility of developing and implementing strategies across all communications verticals.
Gary has over twenty-five years’ experience in the energy, gas, and telecommunications sectors with 15 years specifically with Pole Attachment, Wireless Collocation, and Fiber optic sales and operations.
Gary has been active with Utilities Technology Council (UTC) for over 19 years and is one of the original founding members of UtiliSite. Gary is presently Vice-Chair for UTC.