First Quartile Consulting
(1QC) is a focused utility consulting firm that offers a powerful combination of consulting and benchmarking programs.
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Consulting TeamOur Consulting Team:
Our senior members have run a utility benchmarking program for the last 20 years. They also have long experience in execution of consulting projects with utility clients, working with them to help achieve improved performance. The team brings both national and international experience to our clients, with about half of our team having had multi-year overseas postings during their careers.
Ken Buckstaff, Managing Director, leads the recruiting efforts for the 1QC benchmarking communities. He is also currently working on consulting engagements for PSE&G and TECO, and was part of the Direct Energy, HydroOne Networks and National Grid engagement teams. Prior to joining 1QC, Ken was a Partner at PA Consulting, a Senior VP at PHB Hagler Bailly, and a Partner at Theodore Barry & Associates. His career includes overall direction of utility benchmarking surveys for 20 years, as well as providing consulting services to major US and international utilities. Ken has served as an expert witness in numerous regulatory proceedings and has led the development of performance improvement approaches and techniques for three different consulting firms. Ken also worked for the Salt River Project as an engineer and manager. Ken holds an MBA (UCLA) and a BSIE (Lehigh University).
Gene Dimitrov, Director, leads our consulting activities. Gene has more than 21 years of consulting experience in business change and process management including project development, management and implementation in the Energy, Telecommunications, Process Manufacturing, and Financial Services industries. Gene supports electric and gas utilities in the areas of Transmission, Distribution, and Customer Service with an emphasis on business strategy, process and organizational change. Over the last 10 years, Gene has managed Customer Service Benchmarking programs and large client engagements at National Grid, CenterPoint, Exelon, and SCE. He as worked as a Vice President and Managing Consultant for two international consulting firms. Gene holds a BS from Case Western Reserve University and a Masters in International Business from the University of South Carolina.
Debi McLain, Director, leads marketing and infrastructure development for 1QC's Benchmarking Services. She also manages benchmarking operations for the Customer Service, APPA Customer Service and Electric Transmission & Distribution communities. Prior to joining 1QC, Debi was a manager of utility benchmarking surveys for 18 years. In this role she has managed the client interfaces and produced the questionnaires, statistical reports and analytics for the surveys. She also works on consulting projects for major North American utilities. Previously, Debi has worked for PA Consulting, PHB Hagler Bailly and Theodore Barry & Associates. Debi holds a BS, Marketing (CSU).
Tim Szybalski, Director, leads the 1QC product development effort for Benchmarking Services. Prior to joining 1QC, Tim was a Managing Consultant at PA Consulting and a VP at PHB Hagler Bailly. He managed electric T&D, customer service, and corporate services benchmarking surveys for 12 years. Tim has been a consultant on significant client engagements at major US and international utilities. In addition, Tim has worked for PG&E as a director of an internal consulting group, in the energy practice of an international consulting firm, and at SDG&E as an engineer and Construction Methods Supervisor. Tim holds an MSIE (UC Berkeley), an MBA (SDSU) and a BSIE (Stanford) and is a registered Professional Engineer (IE) in California.
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