Ben Derks

Background

About Ben Derks

5 years of Control Room experience with four of them pertaining to Natural Gas Utility. Strong background in supervision, leadership, and computers. Proficient in: Excel, Excel PI Datalink, PI Vision/Coresight, Powerpoint, Word, Access, Supervision, Multitasking, Planning, Maximo, Workbrain, and a strong interest in Sports. I graduated from Indiana University, with a bachelors degree in management. IU gave me the opportunity to combine courses in computer, public management, environmental management and finance. I previously worked for Magnetation in Reynolds, IN as a Control Room Operator overseeing, trouble shooting, and maintaining quality production throughout the entire process of the half a billion dollar plant. When I first started with Magnetation I was responsible for overseeing construction and keep to the timeframe. Near the end of the construction phase, we moved into commissioning of a wide variety of pieces of equipment which I was able to help troubleshoot so that we could enter the production phase. After Magnetation, I accepted a job with Nipsco as a Gas Control Supervisor, whom oversees all of Nipsco's gas system which covers almost 1/3 of Indiana. This includes monitoring transmission pipelines to ensure the system is not over/under pressurized and we efficiently serve our customers. During field work such as transmission pipeline pigging I create PI Vision displays to monitor all points to the most extensive detail possible. After working in the control room for 3 years I went into the field overseeing gas service crews who installed pipe in the ground and gas meters at house and businesses. That position was fast paced as my crews were the first responders for gas leak calls and hit/damaged gas mains and service lines. When hit/damaged gas calls came in, I had to redirect work personnel to the hit by prioritizing the work the current work that was taking place and move crews to remediate the the hit/damage. It was very rewarding being part of the team who helped make life threatening circumstance, safe. After doing that position for a couple years I came back to Gas Control as the Superintendent overseeing the NIPSCO transmission system again and helping to monitor the system and all the project work that is taking place throughout the NIPSCO territory.