James Kerr

Experience

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  US Army Corps of Engineers

  May 1980 - Aug 2014

  Chief, Mechanical -Structural Branch, Hydroelectric Design Center

  Managed the Mechanical-Structural Branch for the Hydroelectric Design Center (HDC). As the Chief of the Mechanical & Structural Branch was responsible for managing and overseeing the mechanical and structural engineering for both new equipment and rehabilitations of the 21,000 MW, 75 hydroelectric plant system that the Corps of Engineers own and operate. The branch consists of 4 sections (Turbo-machinery, Mechanical Systems, Structural, and Engineering Support) and 40 people. Executed an annual engineering budget of $5.4 Million which translates to approximately $100 million in construction per year. In addition, managed and executed an annual overhead budget of $525,000. Responsible for developing budgets, managing the funds using the Corps of Engineers Financial Management System (CEFMS), conducting management studies, developing plans and specifications by directing a diverse team of design engineers, managing Architect/Engineer Contracts, and serving as liaison with the various Corps District offices (internal customers) and other federal agencies (BPA, SWPA, SEPA, WPA, & USBR). Responsible for the planning, organizing, coordinating, and execution of the mechanical and structural technical requirements necessary to assure successful completion of all hydropower major rehabilitation reports within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Participated in design conferences dealing with the arrangement of machinery, equipment and systems in powerhouses or large pumping plants. Coordinated HDC's technical input into construction, installation, and testing activities. Represented the U.S. Army Corps at various national and international meetings. Retired from federal service on 1 Aug 2014. Show less

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  HDR

  Nov 2014 - Mar 2015

  Senior Mechanical Engineer

  Part Time Senior Hydropower Engineer

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  Wärtsilä

  Mar 2015 - Dec 2016

  Hydro - Industrial Tecnical Manager

  Responsible for the segment hydro power engineering, in partnership with the global Sales Manager, within the Energy [Hydro, Ocean, Wind and Conventional/Nuclear] and Industrial market sectors.Develop and manage relationships/partnerships with OEMs, Government agencies and independent generators around existing product and service portfolio while promoting the development and delivery of new offerings to improve our support to the hydro power industry.Promote the internal engineering expertise globally to become market players in the hydro power. Aid the development and delivery of an engineering/project consultancy revenue stream. Develop partnerships to improve and accelerate "route to market" of new product and service portfolio whilst extending the total offering/solutions. Be instrumental in developing a social capital network with industry, academia and innovators in support of sustainable long-term growth. Show less

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  Semi-Retired

  Jan 2017 - now

  Retired

  Currently no responsibilities other than golf, woodworking, and travel. Willing to consider the right Part Time or Task Based opportunity(assuming it fits into my plans). 37 years of Hydropower experience (Wartsila, HDR, and the US Army Corps of Engineers)For Wartsila, I was responsible for assisting in the development of the world wide hydropower service portfolio and promoting the development and delivery of new offerings to improve our support to the hydro power industry.For HDR, I was a Sr. Hydropower EngineerFor the US Army Corps of Engineers - Hydroelectric Design Center (34 years). I managed the Mechanical-Structural Branch for the Hydroelectric Design Center (HDC) for the last 12 years of my federal career. As the Chief of the Mechanical & Structural Branch, I was responsible for managing and overseeing the mechanical and structural engineering for both new equipment and rehabilitations of the 21,000 MW, 75 hydroelectric plant system that the Corps of Engineers own and operate. Show less