Meet TEP
Meet some of our employees who play a role each day in bringing our corporate values to life while delivering a critical service to our community.
Gabe Vanegas, Substation Engineer Sr. Technician
What do you do in your position?
I work in substations, which are critical to our power system because they distribute power to our customers. I specify equipment that is integrated to the whole substation design and coordinate with other engineering disciplines. I also work with vendors and consultants to specify and procure equipment. Our area designs and modifies about 300 substations and commissions equipment.
How many years have you been with TEP?
I’ve been with the company for three years. I previously designed and built utility-scale solar and battery storage power generation plants.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy my work as a substation engineer because it always challenges me and allows me to learn new things as I continuously coordinate with other engineering disciplines. Even if you master your engineer job, there are always things that change due to site conditions and new technologies developing in the multiple disciplines.
What hard and soft skills are required for your position?
My position requires a degree in Electrical Engineering, preferably with a focus on power systems. Years of knowledge and experience in designing and constructing substations can also help you develop the skills required for this position. You also need to be “hands on” with projects, be constantly learning and able to push through to find solutions to challenges. You can’t be easily overwhelmed and need to be able to collaborate with other disciplines, serving as a project engineer and coordinating with the project and construction managers.
Laxmi Goulapally, IT Technical Lead
What do you do in your position?
My position focuses on delivering the automation of identity verification and authorization protocols for employees and others who need access to TEP systems and applications. I was previously responsible for providing financial, supply chain, procurement and contracts, payroll, customer and meter usage data, and business intelligence reports to various departments in the company.
How many years have you been with TEP?
I can't believe it's already been seven years.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
TEP allows me to work with the latest and most remarkable technologies, which are ever-changing. I’m passionate about learning and working in these new areas. I also enjoy working with great minds, focusing on client needs and working with teams to automate applications.
What hard and soft skills are required for your position?
I have a master’s degree in computers. This position requires communicating and working with clients and other teams, experience in computer programming languages, and Identity Governance enterprise applications skills. In addition, I have several years of data analysis programming experience in Java, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and Business Intelligence/Analytics products.
Amanda Peru, Lead Associate Engineer
What do you do in your position?
I am new to my role of Associate Substation Engineer. My position entails reviewing prints for new substation projects, procuring parts and materials for projects and following up on orders once they are received by the TEP Warehouse. I also write and conduct commissioning procedures and the load check process for energizing new projects to make sure they’re correct.
How many years have you been with TEP?
I will have been with the company for 25 years in 2023. My father was a substation journeyman for TEP, so he urged me to pursue a position with the company. At the time, I was attending the University of Arizona to pursue engineering but left to work full time at TEP in Customer Care. I moved over to the Relay Department as an apprentice and then worked as a Relay Technician for 20 years. I was 21 when I started in the field and was one of only two females in the TEP field departments.
What do you enjoy most about your position?
I really enjoy the designing aspect of my position. As an associate engineer, I’m creating something from nothing and putting all the nuts and bolts together. My favorite part of the job is developing the prints with the schematics and connections. That’s my strength and I just love it.
What hard and soft skills are required for your position?
Because this is such a technical position, you need strong math, science and analytical skills. You also need a good grasp on electrical theory. Being able to read electrical schematics and connections also will help you be successful. You also need to be a quick learner and self-starter. I didn’t have a formal degree, but I did have 20 years of practical field experience and have always been good at math and science.
Andy Frang, Lead Accountant
What do you do in your position?
I assist with the preparation and filing of several types of financial statements and footnotes for our company. Additionally, I help our Financial Accounting Department with normal month-end closing procedures, such as journal entries and financial statement analysis.
How many years have you been with TEP?
I joined the company in 2018.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love the team environment and the complexity of the work in accounting. As a large company, we have a variety of ever-changing complex accounting issues to dive into and learn, and there is always someone to help me learn how to solve or find answers to issues. I have the chance to work with my team towards a common goal. Everyone is trying to complete our filings or month-end close on time, and everyone works towards that same goal.
What hard and soft skills are required for your position?
A bachelor’s degree is necessary, preferably in accounting. Strong accounting skills also are a must. My position in External Reporting requires strong accounting skills: working knowledge of journal entries, financial statements, and underlying accounting principles. The position also requires the ability to communicate and work with people from different areas of the company to gather the information we need to prepare our work. A background in utilities and regulatory accounting is not necessary, but a willingness and ability to learn is a must.