NETA Corporate Alliance Partners (CAPs) are a group of industry-leading companies that have joined forces with NETA to work together toward a common aim: improving quality, safety, and electrical system reliability.
In this ongoing NETA World series, we focus on the thought leadership behind these successful companies. This issue’s CAP Spotlight features an interview with David Koehler, Global Business Development Manager Laboratory Services, INSIDEVIEW, and Doble Database API for Doble Engineering.
Doble Engineering has helped clients in the electric power industry for over a century. Founded in 1920, Doble ensures reliable safe, and secure power through comprehensive diagnostics and engineering expertise for the energy industry. Doble is part of the Utility Solutions Group of ESCO Technologies Inc. and serves customers around the globe.
NW: How long have you been in the electrical power field and what has your professional path looked like?
Koehler: I started in this industry in May of 1998. I had recently graduated with my undergrad degree in chemistry, and I saw an advertisement for a chemist position testing polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) content in insulating liquids. I thought it sounded interesting so I applied and got the position.
Within a month of starting with this company, the lab manager quit. All of a sudden, a lab manager position opened up. I applied for it and got that position. I didn’t know what transformer dissolved gases in oil (DGA) testing was. I barely knew what a transformer was at that point. I had a very steep learning curve but was able to grow within that company to oversee multiple labs in the U.S. and Canada.
I had the pleasure of joining Doble in 2011. At Doble, I have overseen lab operations at two of our U.S.-based labs. I’ve been our laboratory technical manager, and now I am the global business development manager.
NW: What are the biggest challenges facing your customers?
Koehler: We’re seeing a lot of retirements in our industry, and that is leading to a huge knowledge gap that has continued to evolve. As a result, our customers need a lot of training. They need support.
In addition, new data centers throughout the world consume an incredible amount of energy, so utilities need to identify how they’re going to handle that increased load. We also have the continuously increasing renewable energy integration into the electrical grid system.
NW: The utilities are certainly facing a lot of challenges with the world’s evolution to EVs. Does any of that impact you and how you serve the utilities?
Koehler: It does. Our mission at Doble is to ensure that all people globally have reliable, safe, and secure energy in a sustainable world. We need to make sure we are offering products and services that meet our mission. And our mission is something we talk about at every employee meeting. All global employees work towards that mission on a daily basis.
NW: You mentioned the massive number of retirements in our field. How important is mentoring in bridging the knowledge gap?
Koehler: I think it’s critical. I try to mentor anybody who approaches me for help — that includes individuals new to this industry, regardless of age. Anytime they come to me with questions, I try to make sure to answer them and make sure they understand the answers and the implications of what we’re talking about. I have also had the pleasure of working with wonderful technical individuals who were incredibly gracious in sharing their knowledge and experience with me, and it allows me an opportunity to give back to the industry. Mentoring is absolutely necessary.
NW: Do you ever find that with the pace of change and the pace of technology, sometimes it’s the younger team members mentoring the more seasoned professionals?
Koehler: For sure, especially, for example, when it comes to cell phones and applications. Sometimes we must rely on our newer, younger generation that comes into this industry to help show us how to use some of these tools. For somebody like me who has been in the industry for a while, I may not be as adverse with how to use some software applications.
NW: What are your personal strategies to keep growing and learning as a professional?
Koehler: My motto is to always try to learn something new every day. I think that’s very important. There are plenty of things for us to learn on a daily basis, and I push myself to achieve success with the resources at my disposal.
NW: What advice do you have for young people entering the field?
Koehler: Ask questions! Never be afraid to ask questions. I’ve probably provided over 100 technical presentations during my time in the industry, and I find that most people seem reluctant to ask questions. They’re worried somebody will think they’re not smart or something along those lines. If you have a question, the odds that somebody else in that room has a similar question are quite high. Never be afraid to ask questions.
NW: What tips do you have for young people who are looking to advance and grow and have a great career in this industry?
Koehler: Find a niche within our industry that you like — that you’re passionate about — so you don’t dread going to work every day. It’s important that you enjoy your job and that when you leave work for the day, you can go back to a good work-life balance. Whatever your life entails outside of work, you need to be able to enjoy that on a regular basis.
Go to conferences. Develop a network. Networking is critical. I would also develop a circle of trusted friends who don’t necessarily agree with you, but I can give you candid feedback when you need it. And when you’re having a bad day, you can ask them, “Hey, how would you handle this? How could I have handled it better?” You don’t want to surround yourself with people who always agree with you. Making sure you have diversity in your network is very helpful in getting different perspectives.
NW: How do you and your colleagues at Doble stay on top of new technologies and skill sets? What is your strategy for professional development?
Koehler: Doble provides training, education, education reimbursement, and soft skills training for our staff. All the employees need to do is ask. We have a plethora of resources available to us. Doble is over 100 years old, and we have access to an incredible number of technical papers and data to help individuals grow and develop their technical skills. Of course, at the end of the day, it’s up to each person to determine their career path and professional development.
NW: As an industry, do you think we put enough emphasis on training and development?
Koehler: I think we could improve on that as an industry. Doble focuses on training, and our employees really appreciate that. Sometimes I meet somebody who has been in the industry for 20 years, and their technical skill set is much lower than you would expect for somebody with that amount of experience. I think we can definitely do better as an industry to support a focus on training. Doble is passionate about providing training opportunities, and that’s a commitment you feel across the company, from HR all the way up to our president.
NW: Is this a good time to be in the electrical power testing business?
Koehler: I absolutely think it is. Everyone globally needs access to safe, reliable power. Our industry provides job security along with opportunities for growth, but it’s up to the individual to work hard every day and try to learn as much as they can. The opportunities are endless for somebody in our industry globally.
NW: What is your favorite thing about this industry?
Koehler: To be able to make a difference in the global community. When I look back on my career, I want to be able to have helped people all over the world have safe, secure, and reliable power through my technical contributions to the industry.