Welcome to Engineering
Grand Valley Power's state-of-the-art engineering team plays a critical role in the cooperative's success. Whether it's preparing for increased demand or planning for new service, our engineering department is here to ensure our members and community remain connected to the electrical grid.
Meet Your Engineering Team
Derek Elder
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Derek Elder
Chief Operating Officer
Email: delder@gvp.org
Direct Dial: (970) 623-8580
EXT. 388
Heidi and I like camping, hunting, and fishing (when the fish are biting). We have three grown boys; Tristin 29, Jacob 26, and Kyle 25. Our dream vacation is on a mountain with no cell phone reception.
I was born and raised in Holyoke, CO. I started with Highline Electric Association in 1994 and moved to the Grand Valley in 2006 to take a lineman position at GVP. Growing up, I wanted to be a firefighter.
My favorite meal is stuffed peppers. I enjoy watching baseball and spending time with Heidi. I proposed to Heidi on the top of Long's Peak. I enjoy watching The Ranch, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Friends. I enjoy country music and 80's rock.
Walter Fees
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Walter Fees
Manager of Engineering
Email: wfees@gvp.org
Direct Dial: (970) 623-8572
EXT. 354
I was born and raised in Grand Junction, CO. Went to college in Golden, CO. After college I worked for a large consulting firm for four years, then worked for a utility company in Wyoming for eight years before moving back to Grand Junction. I have a wife and three adorable kids. We want to try to eat at every restaurant in Grand Junction and travel to every state in the U.S. before I reach 70 years old. I love going to amusement parks and riding on roller coasters; although I feel like the older I get, the less I enjoy roller coasters.
Mike Gardner
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Mike Gardner
Distribution Design Supervisor
Email: mgardner@gvp.org
Direct Dial: (970) 623-8565
EXT. 327
I am a journeyman lineman, service planner and junior I.T. cadet.
Debbie DeRose
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Debbie DeRose
Engineering Assistant
Email: dderose@gvp.org
Direct Dial: (970) 623-8556
EXT. 301
I was born in Rifle, Colorado, and lived the first three years of my life in Meeker, but have been in Grand Junction ever since (which is a long time!) I am slowly approaching retirement and plan to spend even more time with my kids and grandkids because that is what I love to do! I love the outdoors (as long as it's not below 80 degrees lol) and regularly follow my family's sporting events. I also enjoy traveling and would like to visit more of the United States but would love to go to Italy and Germany (where my husband and my families are from). I love Mexican food, sweet red wine, warm days and country music. (That could be a song lyric).....
Tony Ippolito
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Tony Ippolito
GVP Service Planner
Email: tippolito@gvp.org
Direct Dial: (970) 623-8575
EXT. 326
I moved from New Jersey to Colorado 25 years ago. I came to Grand Junction to attend CMU and have been here ever since. I joined the National Guard to help pay for college and wound up staying in for 20 years. In my spare time, I'm a licensed realtor and manage a few rental properties. I have three grown children in their 30's, but no grandchildren yet. I like to ride ATVs; go camping, rafting, skiing, and enjoy a game of chess now and then too. Some day...I'd like to go scuba diving in the Red Sea, off the coast of Egypt.
Robbie Barela
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Cole Zunich
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Cole Zunich
GVP Service Planner
Email: czunich@gvp.org
Direct Dial: (970) 623-8586
EXT. 308
I have three wild little kids that keep their mother and I on our toes, 2 beautiful girls and 1 handsome little dude. We spend a lot of our time on the road chasing wrestling tournaments for our little guy! If we aren’t wrestling, we are generally at Lake Powell or Blue Mesa fishing in the summertime! We are thankful for the opportunity to be a part of GVP, and excited for our new endeavors.
Mark Tucker
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Mark Tucker
Metering & Controls Tech
Email: mtucker@gvp.org
Direct Dial: (970) 623-8562
EXT. 340
I like coffee, playing board games and eating coconut cream pie. I am from Grand Junction. My kids are Nathan (9), Benjamin (7), Charlotte (6), Lucy (3) and Emma (3).
LeRoy Lowary
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Ryan Roesch
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Ryan Roesch
GIS Analyst
Email: rroesch@gvp.org
Direct Dial: (970) 623-8555
EXT. 324
I am originally from New Mexico, where I developed a love for green chili, spicy food, and cooking up bold, flavorful dishes. When I'm not in the kitchen, you'll find me outdoors - snowboarding in the winter and biking or exploring nature during the warmer months. Professionally, I work as a GIS Analyst, leveraging my expertise in mapping and data analysis to drive a variety of impactful projects.
Wyatt Vidmar
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Chance Semones
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2022 Engineering Satisafation Rating
Member Feedback
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