Juan Villarreal
About Juan Villarreal
Juan Villarreal is a SCADA/Protection & Control Senior Technician with extensive experience in testing and programming substation RTUs. He has held various roles in the energy sector, including positions at American Electric Power, Direct Energy, and CPS Energy, and has a strong focus on safety in his work.
Current Role at American Electric Power
Juan Villarreal currently serves as a SCADA/Protection & Control Senior Technician at American Electric Power, a position he has held since 2012 in the McAllen, Texas area. In this role, he conducts CTPT, single end, and end-to-end testing. He ensures safety awareness in all job performances, prioritizing the safety of coworkers and equipment. His responsibilities include performing actual field switching according to dispatcher SOS guides, which involves the isolation and restoration of equipment during testing.
Previous Experience at American Electric Power
Juan Villarreal has a history of working at American Electric Power in various capacities. He served as an O&M Manager from 1999 to 2001 at the Frontera Energy Center in Mission, Texas. Additionally, he worked as a Telecom/SCADA Technician from 2008 to 2012 in the McAllen, Texas area. His experience in these roles contributed to his expertise in the field of SCADA and protection control systems.
Education and Expertise
Juan Villarreal studied at Texas State Technical College Harlingen, where he earned an Associate of Applied Science in Computer Maintenance Technology from 1984 to 1986. He later attended Columbia Southern University, achieving a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology from 2007 to 2011. His educational background supports his expertise in programming and troubleshooting substation RTUs, specifically GE D20/200 and Cooper models, as well as handling network Ruggedcom switches and RMC30s.
Career Background
Juan Villarreal has extensive experience in the energy sector, having worked in various roles across multiple organizations. Prior to his current position, he served as an EH&S Manager at Direct Energy from 2003 to 2007 in Mission, Texas. He also worked as a SCADA Specialist at CPS Energy for one year in San Antonio, Texas. His earlier career includes positions at VLSI Technology as a Control Senior Technician and at Texas Instruments as a Controls Technician.
Technical Skills and Testing Proficiencies
Juan Villarreal possesses technical skills in relay calibration and trip testing for both electromechanical and solid-state relays, including SEL and GE models. He utilizes testing equipment such as Doble, RTS key, and Megger for various testing purposes. His experience includes performing field switching and ensuring safety protocols are followed during all job performances.