NULL
Empty 1
NULL
Empty 2

News

Recently Jim Kitchens, Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM), was named the USA Manager-Supply Chain. Jim is taking over the role formerly held by Daniel Dale, who is now the Supply Chain Manager at Energy Northwest’s Columbia station. Jim reports to Steve Willrett, Vice President-Supply Chain Business Unit.

In this role, Jim is responsible for management and administration of the portfolio of USA agreements, development of new initiatives, coordination and interface with suppliers and members, facilitating Supply Chain Management (SCM) team activities and providing SCM related support for the various USA teams and their strategic initiatives and vision.

Jim is a familiar face to USA, as he spent 20 years in supply chain at Wolf Creek including more than 10 years as a member of the USA Supply Chain Team. Jim earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from California State University at Fullerton.  He has more than 30 years experience in construction and operating plant procurement, including assignments in the U.S. and abroad.

Jim recently sat down to discuss his position as USA Manager-Supply Chain:

What are you looking forward to the most in this new role? One of the things I have always loved about USA is the opportunity to learn new things from so many smart, committed people in both the member and supplier communities.  USA has consistently been able to create WIN-WIN situations while forging strong personal relationships that cross organizational lines.  I look forward to working hard to continue that legacy and bring tangible value to everyone involved.  That’s what USA is all about and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it.

As a former member of the Supply Chain team, is there anything that surprises you about being on the “other side”? The workload!  I had no idea there was so much going on.  I’m definitely scaling a learning curve.  The teamwork and patience from everyone has been great in helping me get up to speed as quickly as possible.

Something else that struck (and impressed) me as different from my earlier USA involvement is the overall level of engagement by site leadership across all levels and functions.

My first opportunity to work with USA goes clear back to the mid-1990s and the steady progress since then is something that everyone who has contributed can take great pride in. The infrastructure that has been built and the processes that have been implemented to support our member stations and perform like a fleet are truly remarkable. More than one supplier has told me that they now view USA as a fleet and treat us accordingly.  That’s a major accomplishment and the credit goes to Carl, Steve, John, and the rest of the staff as well as the senior leadership at the sites for their vision and commitment. We won’t stop here though, and I’m excited to see what additional opportunities the future holds.

Is there anything in particular you like to do in your free time when not embroiled in Supply Chain-related work? I love sports, most notably the Kansas Jayhawks, Oakland Raiders and San Francisco Giants (I grew up in the Bay Area and my money goes to KU).  My wife Lynn and I took up golf last year and certainly got our money’s worth (lots of strokes per dollar).  It was fun and I’m hoping to get better once the weather warms up.  We are enjoying empty-nesterhood but always look forward to good times when the family is around.  I also enjoy technology, dogs, movies, playing cards, working around the house and spending time with friends.

Jim works out of his home in Lenexa, Kansas with his wife Lynn and their 2.5 dogs (it’s really three but one of them belongs to their daughter who lives in Chicago).  They have four children – three KU grads and one who is a sophomore at KU. (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!) Jim can be reached at jkitchens at usainc.org.

Jim Kitchens, Manager – Supply Chain, Utilities Service Alliance