(April 21) On Thursday, April 17, Northwest Public Power Association presented Kyle Kearns, chief operating officer at Ravalli Electric Cooperative, with the 2025 Career Commitment to Safety Award at the association’s 2025 Engineering & Operations Conference in Spokane, Washington.
The NWPPA Career Commitment to Safety Award recognizes one person each year that has outstanding proficiency in safety, has demonstrated leadership in safety in their utility and the industry, and has made a significant contribution to safety within the industry over their career. This award is open to all employees of NWPPA member utilities that exemplify outstanding commitment and leadership in safety.
Kearns has been a safety champion at Ravalli Electric for over 22 years, and his commitment to safety extends far beyond his own utility. Since 2014, he has served on the Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association Safety and Loss Control Committee, promoting safety awareness and best practices. In 2019, he became chair of the MECA Line Superintendents Group, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement among cooperatives. Through his leadership, Kearns has strengthened the idea-sharing network that encourages cooperatives to support one another in their safety efforts. He is a key contributor to the Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program.
He also played a vital role in the 2020 National Rural Electric Cooperative Association International Project, serving as team leader for a group of 13 lineworkers who electrified a rural Bolivian village. He not only oversaw the safe construction of power lines but was also responsible for the overall well-being of his team in an unfamiliar environment with unique safety hazards. He ensured every team member not only completed the project successfully but also returned home safely. His approach to safety is not just about compliance—it is about fostering a culture where safety is an intrinsic value.
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