Trent Tamplin, an engineer at Sam Houston Electric Cooperative, recently completed the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Ideas to Impact project management course held in Arlington, Virginia.
The course is tailored for employees who are responsible for managing processes and projects at their cooperatives.
“This was actually the first time NRECA offered this course,” Tamplin said. “We had three different instructors, including one from NRECA and a professor from a university nearby. They all emphasized the importance of communication and how it drives success in projects.”
The course consisted of two hours of virtual learning time and four days of in-person classroom instruction. It covered a variety of communication and planning models to aid success for future cooperative projects. The final stretch of the course included an individual project.
“We paired up with a peer who would help guide you on your project,” Tamplin said. “I chose to do my project on the Fred transmission line since it was my major project at the time. I focused on applying what I learned from the class to practice. Overall, this class gave me a lot of valuable insights that I will continue to apply in future projects at the Co-op.”
Tamplin joined Sam Houston EC in June 2022, and his primary responsibilities at the Cooperative include planning and overseeing construction for distribution, as well as transmission and substation projects.
