麻豆传媒AV

The president and chief executive officer of SaskEnergy, Doug Kelln, was a guest at the Rotary Club of the Battlefords Monday, sharing insight on some of the things that are happening with the crown corporation with Rotary members and guests.

"This is a little bit like coming home, after 31 years with the company," said Kelln.

When he graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1982 with a degree in civil engineering, it was time for him to decide what he wanted to do, he said.

"I had opportunities to go to Alberta, and a number of my colleagues did. But I wanted to stay in Saskatchewan.

"I ended up with SaskPower in the gas division."

His first boss, who had been in construction for 30 years, told him he could get an apartment in Regina, because that's where he would be getting his mail, but for the first two years, he would be on the road.

"You're going to North Battleford country," his boss told him.

"So I ended up bringing the natural gas to Meota, Edam, Spruce Lake, Vawn, St. Walburg, Marsden and Neilburg. It was a tremendous learning experience for me. I got to know a lot of good people, and at the same time I got to learn a lot," said Kelln.

"Since then I've been through North Battleford many, many times with different projects," said Kelln, "I've ended up at the Gold Eagle [Lodge] a number of nights a year and I've stared at this beautiful complex. It's great to be inside and you should be so proud."

Kelln was referring to the CUplex. The luncheon took place in the Northland Power Curling Centre.

In addition to giving the group gathered for lunch an overview of SaskEnergy's operation, he also touched on Saskatchewan's favourite subject of conversation - weather.

"It's been an interesting November and December," Kelln told Rotary members. "In gas terms we usually design for a 'one in 20 years,' so once every 20 years it gets that cold. At the end of December we were 'one in 50 years.'"

Kelln, who lives in Regina, became the president and CEO of SaskEnergy on Nov. 25, 2004 after having taken on increasing responsibilities in the areas of engineering, construction, planning, customer services, distribution operations, marketing and business development. He transferred from SaskPower to SaskEnergy/TransGas when the companies were formed in 1988.

From 1988 to 1997 he held various positions at TransGas, including vice-president. From 1997 to his appointment as CEO, he served vice-president, Distribution Utility for SaskEnergy.

He has also acted as executive sponsor of SaskEnergy's Aboriginal Policy Co-ordinating Group since 1996.