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Video: The ‘glue’ that holds OPPD together

It takes a lot of material for OPPD to operate and provide service to its customers.

No one knows that better than Tim McAreavey and Jane Metzer. McAreavey serves as director of Supply Chain Management (SCM) for the utility; Metzer is supervisor of SCM Warehousing.

Video by: Nate Gasaway, Goswen Visual Marketing

“The district has $150-$200 million worth of physical material inventory,” said McAreavey. “The utility strives to operate as economically as possible to keep rates low.”

OPPD operates with a cradle-to-grave mentality, according to Metzer. “It’s not just the price, but how much it costs to store and how much it costs to dispose it when we are done. All of that goes into our decision-making when we purchase products.”

With 23 employees, the SCM warehouse group manages warehouses at four OPPD service centers (Omaha, Elkhorn, Papillion, Syracuse), two power stations (North Omaha and Nebraska City), and Fort Calhoun Station in support of nuclear decommissioning work.

“Call-outs are a huge part of their jobs,” Metzer added. “When storms hit, widespread power outages occur or plant issues arise, they get called at all hours to support the ones making the repairs.

“They interact with many groups in the company, and they must act quickly and with accuracy. They take great pride in what they do, and they are good at what they do.”