Keegan Odle
Vice PresidentTransmission & Distribution
If the power goes out, the world stops and lives are in jeopardy. For Keegan Odle, delivering reliable power is vital and essential work. He leads our substation business — the largest substation design group in the country — in pursuit of an important mission: to improve the quality of life by creating a reliable and sustainable grid.
Keegan joined the organization as an electrical engineer in 2004 and has focused on transmission and distribution since. Throughout his career, he managed substation and power delivery projects across the U.S., amassing a portfolio ranging in voltages from 12.47-kV to 500-kV. He has presented at conferences across the county, published multiple white papers and trade articles, and was named to the prestigious Public Utility Fortnightly Under 40 group in 2020.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I grew up on a farm in north-central Kansas and still own land there. I have a 1963 Chevy Impala SS that has been in my family since 1968. I was in a power line accident when I was 14 that “sparked” my interest in electrical engineering.
What’s the coolest part of your job?
The coolest part of my job is watching those who I work with or who have worked for me in the past create their own paths and futures. There is nothing better than watching someone you've mentored or supported grow into a leader of our company. It's the best metric of success for me.
What excites you most when you look at the future of infrastructure?
We are at the most exciting time ever to work in the power industry. Ever. The grid is literally changing right before our eyes. We are moving from centralized generation to distributed generation and moving from fossil fuels to renewable energy. There is so much happening and so much opportunity.
If you could pick up a new skill in an instant, what would it be?
Physically, I've taken up tennis and it's harder than I remember. It might have something to do with my age as well. Mentally, I would love to know how to draft in 3D. It's a skill set that all our substation engineers and designers need to know, and I would love to learn.
What’s your go-to question when you interview candidates for a job?
When I interview people, I ask them to use one word to describe themselves. It's really hard to do. My word is “improve.” I'm constantly trying to improve everything I touch. Everyone should know their one word and the focus of their “why.”