Benjamin Mears, PE

Experience

• 

  Ohio University

  Jan 2006 - Jan 2008

  Research Assistant
• 

  American Electric Power

  Jan 2008 - Jan 2017

  • Served as expert witness and testified in regulatory cases filed with public utility commissions• Conducted and reviewed market research on the price, availability, and demand for traditional and renewable power generation resources• Conducted financial and economic analyses of power generation opportunities for each operating company and presented conclusions to internal stakeholders• Analyzed and interpreted large, complex sets of modeling data and drew conclusions for future company resource strategies• Responsible for interfacing with external stakeholders with a broad range of interests and motivations• Communicated strategic plans to company leadership, public stakeholders, and regulatory agencies• Presented on behalf of the department at technical conferences throughout the industry• Member of the Corporate Finance Targeted Development Program Show less • Lead Controls Engineer for construction and startup of 600MW Natural Gas, Combined-Cycle Power Plant- Oversaw over $1M of contractor labor and materials- Responsible for understanding and solving complex technical issues - Developed, reviewed, and approved control narratives and control system designs• Investigated and provided solutions to address plant production issues through company’s fleet of power production facilities• Provided engineering support and guidance for numerous electric power plant system projects• Engineering lead for corporate-wide capital investment strategy review with McKinsey and Company Show less

  • Resource Planning Analyst

    Jan 2015 - Jan 2017

  • Instrumentation and Controls Engineer

    Jan 2008 - Jan 2015
• 

  The Lubrizol Corporation

  Jan 2017 - Mar 2022

  • Oversee the design, engineering, and commissioning of new mechanical testing systems and technologies.• Lead the Project Management Team as it executes the department’s portfolio of capital projects• Provide leadership and direction for process improvement, preventive maintenance, and standardization initiatives• Facilitate sharing of best practices with engineering teams at other Lubrizol Facilities, both domestically and internationally• Foster a work environment that encourages exploration of new ideas and timely decision making, while taking appropriate risks with a bias towards action• Serve as a role model for Lubrizol’s Culture of Accountability Show less

  • Senior Engineering Manager

    Jan 2019 - Mar 2022

  • Project Engineer

    Jan 2017 - Jan 2019
• 

  Crane Aerospace & Electronics

  Mar 2022 - now

  • Business Manager

    Sept 2023 - now

  • Manager, Engineering Labs

    Mar 2022 - Oct 2023