Tedesco Electrical Code Consultants Inc., Boston, MA

matter expert stationed in Baghdad. I served on the Logistic Civil Augmentation Program while in Baghdad, Iraq along with a team of quality control inspectors, and electrical engineers who had the responsibility for engineering, construction and electrical inspections of existing and new electrical power systems installed on US/Coalition bases in Iraq. 

 

The situation in Iraq required a detailed study and review of both US, British and Middle Eastern electrical codes and standards. I served as their core expert for the National Electrical Code and I provided detailed personal opinions and interpretations based upon my experiences in the electrical industry.

 

I provided technical advice and technical support to over 1500 electricians who were serving at project sites and camps throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. This support consisted of daily and weekly meetings and conference calls, answering technical questions from field electricians and from military staff. I also traveled to project sites throughout the war zone to help solve complex problems that could not be handled remotely. 

 

During the time spent in Iraq I was considered as one of their top National Electrical Code experts in the country, both due to my technical knowledge of the code and my high energy,‘get the job done' attitude! I was always adaptable, considered knowledgeable and willing to do what it took to make sure the electrical installations were safe and installed to meet relevant standards. I left a very positive mark on those with whom I worked with and trained while in Iraq serving as Senior Electrical Technical Adviser for a LOGCAP III contractor. I kept raising the bar so they could make sure that the electrical work and repairs were done safely!  I have thought this over during our evolution in the war zones, and what I do believe is that risk management is a critical component of the mission there because:

 

1) resources are always constrained;

 

2) time is always of the essence;

 

3) diverse electrical environments, and diverse electrical work forces provide immense challenges and capabilities 

which are hard to quantify when viewed through the lens of sustainment operations; and

 

4) the best successes were measured by the ability to reinvent processes as circumstances dictated.