Behind every smoothly running building, secure substation, and well maintained workspace at UEC is careful oversight and hands on dedication. Providing that behind the scenes support is Glen Saul, facilities administrator, whose work ensures that our cooperative’s operations run safely, efficiently, and seamlessly every day.
Before joining UEC in 2014, Glen worked in property management at the Umatilla Army Depot prior to its closure. With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Eastern Oregon University and years of experience in property management, Glen was ready to take on a new challenge and he quickly became an essential member of the cooperative team.
In his role as facilities administrator, Glen wears many hats. He oversees general facility maintenance at all of our UEC’s locations. Additionally, he works at UEC substations, assisting operations with maintenance and security. He also contributes to the design and implementation of security measures. Glen was here before the new UEC building was constructed and recalls walking through the old buildings to complete projects that set the stage for the cooperative’s growth. Some of his favorite projects include leading the construction of the Boardman office, as well as supporting the build out of UEC’s 999 facility and fiber huts.
A typical day for Glen varies widely. He starts at 5:30 a.m., ensuring the building is ready and safe for staff and members. Throughout the day, he moves from hands on maintenance to scheduling with contractors, assisting operations, and checking on ongoing projects. For Glen, the most rewarding part of his job is helping people and seeing projects completed from small maintenance tasks to major facility builds.
Growth has presented challenges in his role, including shifting from a reactive to a proactive mindset and handling the responsibilities of being the one man show for certain projects. Despite these challenges, Glen’s motivation has come from his coworkers, the flexibility UEC offers - including the four day workweek - that allow him to spend more time with family and check on his cattle.
Glen’s work may largely take place behind the scenes, but his contributions are visible everywhere in the safety of our offices, the reliability of our substations, and the success of our projects. Whether he is troubleshooting, building, or maintaining, Glen’s commitment keeps UEC running smoothly, and his impact is felt across the cooperative every day.
"Glen’s dedication and reliability ensure our facilities and operations run smoothly every day. His strong work ethic and behind the scenes contributions make him a valuable asset to our organization," shared by Kevin Knutz, manager of operations.