AABE Virginia Chapter General Body Meeting - Career Advancement

November 13, 2014

The AABE Virginia Chapter meeting was conducted in the 1B auditorium of Dominion Virginia Power's One James River Plaza at 701 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219 on November 13, 2014.

  • Jeff Washington opened the 4th AABE general body meeting.
  • Alexander Stanley and Jerome Myers were focused on AABE's BEAM website.
  • Richard Blount, former Dominion Virginia Power Site Vice President, Surry Power Station and former AABE Virginia/North Carolina Chapter member was recognized by Drexel Harris and AABE National Chairman Mr. George Williams as an industry trailblazer.

The speaker of the evening was Mr. George Williams, CEO of PMI Energy Solutions, LLC and AABE Chairman of the Board.  He gave a refreshingly open and honest discussion to the members and guests on career advancement.

 He said, “We all need motivation to achieve higher levels.”  Mr. Williams made the decision to be an electrical engineer when he was in the 8th grade.

Points of Mr. Williams' discussion on how to be successful included:

  • Have a mentor
    • Feedback will not always be positive.
    • You must know the political landscape
  • Have a sponsor
    • Have someone in your company that has your interest and can speak on your behalf.
    • Sometimes you have to reach out to them and be open to feedback.
    • It is also important to network and take advantages for improvement.
  • Avoid career "derailers,"
  • Be willing to relocate.
  • Be willing to take a lateral to broaden your experience.
  • Development Opportunities (TSPF)
    • Trail Blazer: Don't be afraid to be the first
    • Strive for excellence to be the best
    • Perseverance, sometimes you have to be ready to leave
    • Flexibility
  • Mr. Williams also shared his strategy to develop a 90-Day assessment of each new job opportunity he accepted during his career, and then to execute the plan.

AABE has done an eight city tour to inform communities of jobs in the energy sector.  More information available on AABE’s website at http://aabe-hieenergize.com.

The AABE conference will be in Charlotte, North Carolina, May 5 – 8, 2015.

The meeting photographs were taken by Alexander Stanley and can be viewed on Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/aabe_va/sets/72157649281420991/.

Much more information of interest was shared with members and guests at the November 13, 2014 General Body meeting.  We look forward to seeing you at future AABE Virginia Chapter meetings.

Contact:
Walter Baker
virginia@aabe.org

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