Kari West

Experience

1. Lead Customer Solutions Manager

   Evergy

   Jul 2015 — Present

   As a Lead Customer Solutions Manager, I work with in three rate jurisdictions in Kansas & Missouri with an integrated team to serve commercial and industrial (C&I) customers. In addition, I work with communities and civic organizations as well. My role has many facets and requires organization and prioritization to meet project deadlines. Day to day, no two days are the same. I serve as an liaison to commercial & industrial customers and internally work with distribution, transmission and substation teams. I\'m involved with the facilitation of expansions & resolution of billing inquiries. I also work to address customer power quality issues, facilitate community engagement, and many other public facing roles. My lead objective is to serve as a trusted energy advisor to our C&I customers.My duties & responsibilities include: • Account and project management responsibilities for assigned segments of the largest commercial and industrial customers in usage and revenue.• Must have working knowledge of an electric distribution system as well as all aspects of the receipt of electric service by the customer. • Communicate with the customer’s energy decision-maker, senior management, and third-party providers on all aspects of Company products provided to the customer. Required knowledge areas include the design and operation of electrical systems, general business acumen, regulatory and tariff issues, energy industry issues and account management.• Perform analytical work on complex problems and projects by applying state of the art economic, computer science, accounting, statistical, engineering or marketing knowledge, techniques, and procedures.• Promote the sale of regulated and non-regulated products and services to assigned customers using consultative selling skills.• Gain an understanding of the customer’s energy needs and formulate solutions, leading internal teams to do so, when necessary.

Education

• Kansas State University

  Bachelor's degree, Agricultural Communications

  1994 — 1998

• University of Northern Iowa

  Heartland Regional Economic Development Course

• FEMA

  Command and General Staff Training, Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management

• KARL Program (Kansas Agriculture & Rural Leaders Program)

  Class XVI, Rural Development in Kansas

• University of Central Arkansas

  Certificate of Completion, Community Development

Skills

• Economic Development
• Digital Photography
• Disaster Response
• Public Relations
• Internal Communications
• Leadership Development
• Handcrafted Jewelry
• Marketing
• Copy Editing
• Public Speaking
• Copywriting
• Journalism
• Social Networking
• Crisis Communications
• Marketing Communications
• Creative Writing
• Community Development
• Public Policy
• Creative Services
• Outdoor Advertising
• Grant Writing
• Leadership
• Teaching
• Grants
• Photoshop
• Government
• Publications
• Graphic Design
• Volunteer Management
• Press Releases
• Social Media
• Fundraising
• Nims
• Advertising
• Social Media Marketing
• Event Planning
• Emergency Management