Gary Thomas
About Gary Thomas
Gary Thomas serves as a Shift Supervisor in Generation Dispatch at American Electric Power, where he balances generation to system load across multiple security regions. He holds both PJM and NERC System Operator Certifications and has extensive experience in the energy sector and military service.
Work at American Electric Power
Gary Thomas has served as a Shift Supervisor in Generation Dispatch at American Electric Power since 1996. In this role, he is responsible for balancing generation to system load across three major security regions: PJM, SPP, and ERCOT. He supervises shift personnel and maintains communication with plants, coordinators, operators, and reliability regions. His work ensures adherence to NERC guidelines for the reliable and economic real-time dispatch of AEP's fleet of generating stations.
Education and Expertise
Gary Thomas studied at Youngstown State University, where he obtained an Associate of Arts degree, followed by an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering Technology. He later achieved a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science in the same field. He holds both PJM System Operator Certification and NERC System Operator Certification, indicating his expertise in managing electricity grids and ensuring the reliability of the bulk power system.
Background
Before joining American Electric Power, Gary Thomas had a diverse career in engineering and technical roles. He worked as a Field Service Engineer at Hexagon Metrology for one year and as an Engineer at JDSI for another year. He also served as an Engineering Technician at Vaisala Oyj for three years. His early career included a significant tenure in the United States Navy, where he served as a Boatswain's Mate for 24 years, including time aboard the USS San Diego AFS-6.
Career History
Gary Thomas has accumulated extensive experience in various engineering and supervisory roles. His career began in the United States Navy, where he served from 1984 to 2008. After his military service, he held positions at Delphi as a Designer and at JDSI and Hexagon Metrology as an Engineer and Field Service Engineer, respectively. His diverse background in engineering and operations has contributed to his current role at American Electric Power.