TEAM DIRECTORY BY BUSINESS UNIT

T&D Technology and Testing

Mr. Ken Bognar is the Director of Powertech’s T&D Technology and Testing group which focuses on power delivery systems, including transmission and distributions systems and associated equipment. He is responsible for technology development and testing programs for his group, which consists of mechanical and electrical testing and asset management services. His group works closely with other labs within Powertech to offer one-stop-shop solutions to clients.

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phone: 604.590.6641
cellular: 604.910.8437

**LOGAN CONNAUGHTON** – *P.Eng.*
Manager, T&D Electrical Services
T&D Technology & Testing

Mr. Logan Connaughton manages Powertech’s High Voltage Lab under the T&D Technology and Testing group. He is responsible for providing electrical testing services, failure analysis and consultation to power equipment manufacturers and utilities. He has extensive experience performing dielectric tests, short-circuit testing, temperature rise testing, thermal cycling, accelerated aging, instrument accuracy and power quality measurements.

Mr. Connaughton has over 15 years of experience providing electrical testing services and progressed into his leadership role at Powertech since he started at the company in 2006 as a Junior Engineer. Mr. Connaughton had previously been responsible for managing the High Power Lab, and prior to that the High Current Lab and Machine Insulation Testing facilities.

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General Inquiry→
phone: 604.590.7465
cellular: 604.505.9655

**BEN SKILLINGS** – *P.Eng., PMP*
Manager, Asset Management
T&D Technology and Testing

Mr. Ben Skillings manages Powertech’s T&D Asset Management team which specializes in offering asset management solutions for utilities for managing their aging T&D assets through condition assessment, testing and serviceability analysis, and risk and reliability evaluation. As a mechanical engineer with a machinist background, Ben has proven himself to be a proficient leader and a knowledgeable team member within the electric utility industry. He has over 15 years’ professional engineering and trades experience and has established broad knowledge in design, construction, commissioning, and maintenance.

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General Inquiry→
phone: 604.598.5084
cellular: 604.786.7719

**HONG LI** – PhD., P.Eng.
Specialist/Principal Engineer, Asset Management
T&D Technology and Testing

Dr. Hong Li joined Powertech in 1999 as a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada industrial postdoctoral fellow to complete research on reliability evaluation and calibration of T&D overhead structures. His work has since extended to utility asset management, with a focus on condition assessment of aging T&D overhead structures and components. Additionally, Dr. Li’s expertise includes structural analysis and testing, numerical modelling, assessment of structural integrity and reliability, and seismic qualification and evaluation.

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phone: 604.590.7463
cellular: 604.345.8463

**EARL MAYUGA** – *P.Eng., NACE CP2*
Project Engineer, Asset Management
T&D Technology and Testing

Mr. Earl Mayuga is a Project Engineer with Powertech’s Asset Management Group. He has more than thirteen years of experience providing the practical application of corrosion science and cathodic protection to clientele throughout British Columbia. Projects he has worked on have involved corrosion studies and the application and assessment of corrosion protection for water transmission and distribution mains, gas pipelines, water storage reservoirs, fuel storage tanks, marine structures and other structures. Mr. Mayuga was also responsible for developing corrosion protection strategies and cathodic protection designs for buried or submerged metallic structures both nationally and internationally, as well as being part of the development team of a corrosion risk model for BC Hydro steel transmission towers.

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phone: 604.590.7406

**KEVIN CHENG** – *P.Eng.*
Senior Engineer, Asset Management
T&D Technology and Testing

Mr. Kevin Cheng is a Senior Engineer with Powertech’s Asset Management Group. Kevin has over ten years experience with the design, construction, maintenance, and management of electric utility distribution infrastructure. This includes: underground distribution design that has brought megawatts of power to residential neighbourhoods, Detailed Condition Assessment and failure analysis of distribution feeder cables and accessories, managing risk mitigation of PCBs (Poly-chlorinated biphenyls) contamination across 50,000 distribution assets (including pole top, pad mounted and vaults internal transformers). Kevin is a registered Professional Engineer with the Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia.

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General Inquiry→
phone: 604.598.5420
cellular: 778.984.4764

**SARA TAHERMARAM** – *P.Eng.*
Manager, Mechanical Services
T&D Technology and Testing

Sara Tahermaram is an accomplished mechanical engineer, decisive and influential leader with over 14 years of experience in engineering, manufacturing, and testing. She has a proven track record of successfully running multi-discipline projects. Sara is exceptionally talented in overseeing complex electrical and mechanical projects as well as ensuring their completion within budget and on time.

Sara has a strong background in mechanical engineering principles and practices, which has allowed her to provide expert guidance and support to her team. She is skilled in identifying potential issues and developing innovative solutions to overcome them. Her strong analytical skills, attention to detail, along with her ability to lead and manage multi disciplinary projects have been instrumental in her success in the field.

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General Inquiry→
phone: 604.590.6661
cellular: 604.561.2261