Champions of Utility Design: Chris Baughman, FirstEnergy
Welcome to our blog and interview series, Champions of Utility Design, where we spotlight industry leaders who are making significant contributions to the utility industry. Today, I had the pleasure of interviewing Chris Baughman from FirstEnergy. Chris brings a unique blend of field experience and digital design expertise, offering valuable insights into innovation, collaboration, and the evolving demands of utility design.
About Chris
Q1: Tell us a little about yourself outside of the utility industry.
Chris: I recently bought a barn, so a lot of my free time is spent fixing fences. Yes, even electric ones. I enjoy fishing, cooking, and keeping up with the farm. I was also on the bowling team in high school!
Q2: Can you tell us about your role at FirstEnergy and how you got into the utility industry?
Chris: I started with Preformed Line Products, installing and testing lab equipment. That led to field inspections, and eventually, I transitioned into digital design. Now at FirstEnergy, I apply that hands-on experience to utility design projects.
Challenges and Advice
Q3: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in the utility industry?
Chris: Every project has its own set of challenges. One of the biggest is adapting to changing requirements, people change their minds, and you have to meet them halfway while ensuring safety and compliance. Underground work is especially tricky because space is limited, and everyone wants to be in the same spot.
Q4: What advice would you give to someone just starting their career in utilities?
Chris: Be patient and ask questions. Rely on your coworkers and never stop learning. Study the NESC codes, get familiar with different hardware providers, and even check out a linemen slang book. Communication is key.
Projects and Innovation
Q5: Can you share a significant project you’ve worked on at FirstEnergy?
Chris: One project involved running a line a mile off the road for a single residential customer. Coordinating materials and communicating with the customer was critical. Another project required boring through an entire lot and staying within easements and keeping property owners informed was a major challenge.
Q6: How does FirstEnergy approach innovation in utility design?
Chris: We use DDS, which is a powerful tool for design calculations. It’s helped us work more efficiently—especially with the growing demand from data centers, solar projects, and EV charging infrastructure.
Q7: What trends do you see shaping the future of utility design?
Chris: Solar and electric vehicles are big. Understanding their load impact on the grid is crucial. We’ve seen how instability can lead to major outages—like the blackout in Spain that affected 10 million people. We want to avoid that here.
Collaboration and Customer Engagement
Q8: How do you incorporate customer feedback into your designs?
Chris: I often bring a design book to site visits and walk customers through the plan. It helps them understand the process and make informed decisions. It might cost more upfront, but they’ll appreciate it in the long run.
Q9: Can you share a time when collaboration was key to a project’s success?
Chris: Almost every project involves multiple departments. Communication is everything—whether it’s with customers, metering teams, or other internal groups. Delays usually happen when communication breaks down. Everyone needs to be aligned on the design.
Final Thoughts
Q10: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your work or the industry?
Chris: Investing in the power grid is more important than ever. With the rise of EVs, solar, and AI data centers, we need reliable power. It’s rewarding to know that something I helped design is keeping the lights on for hospitals, schools, and communities.
Stay tuned for more insightful interviews in our “Champions of Utility Design” series! You can also watch the full interview with Chris Baughman: Champions of Utility Design on Vimeo
Author: Jack Reeves, Marketing Coordinator