Our Global team

Steve and Edgar saw a better way to support Utility companies with Transformer Engineering services. 

Utilities often contact individuals to do Witness Testing or Design Reviews or other services.  PBES brought together a group of highly experienced Engineers as a Team to provide Utilities a "Service of Excellence" for transformer engineering, design, manufacturing, quality assurance and testing.. 

When a Utility has a need they can make one phone call and Plan B will provide the right expertise for the job. All Engineering work is reviewed and approved by Management. If questions arise during any Engineering project Management and other Team members are available to collaborate on a solution or path.  

"Contract with PBES for one Engineer's Services and you get us all"

Edgar began  his carrier after receiving his Master degree   in Extra High Voltage Engineering at the University Graz. As a Transformer Engineer in Weiz Austria, during his 40+ years in transformer business, Edgar  gained experience in all transformer related fields including Transformer Test Field, Design, R&D, Manufacturing, etc. 

Steve and Edgar met 2011 and after collaborating on a few projects in Asia for US Utilities they soon saw the benefits of cooperation, as they complement each other in many respects, Edgar and Steve  decided in 2016 to build team of distinguished transformer Engineers. 

Edgar has held leading positions in our industry: Siemens Transformers, ELIN Transformers, VA TECH ELIN Transformers, VA TECH ELIN USA ,  VA TECH JST Transformers. Edgar is an active IEEE member.

Franz joined Plan B / TATC after a successful and impactful career in the Transformer industry world wide. Prior to joining Plan b / TATC Franz held positions in Transformer and related companies providing him with an extensive and deep understanding of Transformer manufacturing and field behaviors. 

Franz's positions included: CEO of ASTA Elektrodraht GmbH in Austria, Head of Business Segment TLM (Transformer Life-cycle Management) - Responsible for 33 TLM entities globally, Managing the global VA TECH Transformer Service Organization, Managing the Service department of VA TECH, ELIN Transformatoren GmbH & Co

Ernst is a seasoned Transformer Engineer with 29 years of experience in Transformer Business, working successfully in international assignments with major focus areas in Transformer Engineering, Project Management, Sales Management and General Management.

Ernst joined Plan B / TATC from a career full of contribution with positions in companies including:  CEO  Royal Smit Transformers, Nijmegen, NL , CEO Siemens Transformers Weiz, AU, VP Transformer Division Siemens PT&D, Raleigh, US

Gabor is a True Transformer expert joining Plan B / TATC with very technical experience. Gabor’s career includes positions in Power and Special Transformer design, technology and manufacturing.  Gabor held positions at JST Transformateurs S.A. in Lyon supporting product development for Core type Transformers; ABB Power Technologies S.p.A in Italy, Hyundai Heavy Industries-Electro Electric Systems and Ganz Ansaldo in Budapest.

Gabor developed Transformer Calculation Software (TCal) to determine, and confirm Transformer Designs. We employ this software to support Design Reviews and critical floor inspections.

Gabor holds a Master’s degree of Science Electrical Engineering from University of Budapest and an Executive Master’s degree in  business from SDA Bocconi University of Milan. Gabor speaks Hungarian, English, Italian and French. Gabor is an active member of CIGRE. He is a member of the transformer (A2) study committee and the transformer’s technology advisory group.

Reinhard held various Engineering and project management positions including; commissioning, design auditing and forensic investigations of technical issues on LPT’s. Reinhard’s career path culminating in position of Global Quality and Inspection Manager for ELIN (Siemens)

Reinhard also managed the Siemens main Test Lab in Austria 

While managing the Siemens Test lab Reinhard was certified as an ISO900 Auditor Level 1 and 2 in 2001.
 

Reinhard possesses more than 40 years experience in transformer testing, Quality control, ISO and manufacturing technics.
 

Michael is a seasoned Service, repair and retrofit manager and joins Plan B / TATC bringing this experience of large transformer support to further support our clients. Michael has experience in DGA analysis, Oil regeneration technology and transformer commissioning's on-site.

With Michael’s hands-on and management experience, Plan B / TATC can further broaden our field support for clients from pre-design reviews all the way through transformer commissioning and on-going support.

Steve is the Plan B Solutions founder. Complimenting the Utility Technical Services business, Steve expanded Plan B Solutions to include a Transformer Engineering Group to support Utilities needing Engineering expertice for transformers.  Steve and Edgar saw a need for "one stop shopping" to gather Transformer Engineering talent in one "TEAM"; many Engineers collaborating and offer Utility clients support on a combined level.   

Steve started his career learning the Utility business from the ground up at a Substation Engineering design company in Vancouver Canada. His Utility career path took him through several positions including President of a Substation Automation startup, culminating in the largest Substation Automation project in the USA. 

The acquisition of that company led Steve to our Transformer specific industry focused on dissolved gas analysis (DGA) and proprietary communications over multiple communication architectures.

When not busy managing the business, Steve’s focus is also performing all type of inspections on transformer related matters such as factory, winding, active parts, etc. inspections. As well as keep a hand in directly in the substations. Steve majored in Physics and speaks Spanish. Steve is an IEEE member

Dr. Michel Duval Holds a B.Sc. and PhD. in chemical engineering and has worked for IREQ (Hydro-Quebec, Canada) since 1970. In the field of DGA, he is well-known for his Triangle and Pentagon methods of interpretation, used worldwide, and for his other contributions to DGA (gas-in-oil standards, gas levels in service, on-line gas monitors). Michel  holds 16 patents and is the author of more than 90 scientific papers and international standards. He is a Fellow of IEEE and of the Chemical Institute of Canada. 

We are  Fortunate to have Michel on our Team as DGA Scientist for DG Analysis  and interpretation. 

Plan B Solutions is pleased to offer analysis of any DGA anomalies you may encounter... free of charge!  Just ask!

After completing 4 years of Canadian military service, Beau worked for an oil and gas safety company in Alberta Canada. As a Safety Supervisor Beau was trained in Confined Space Entry, fall protection, H2S, CPR/AED, PPE Maintenance and the use of supplied air breathing apparatus. After several years as a Safety Supervisor Beau received his A&P license and specialized in power turbines and electrical systems. Beau is also a Certified  NFPA-70E Electrical Technician.

Beau previously worked as a Technician during Substation Automation contract (176 subs) for LADWP and now leads the domestic Construction Division of Plan B Solutions. 

Gene has 29 years of experience in design, project implementation and sales in a number of areas of electrical power systems, with extensive experience in generation, substation, transmission and sub transmission design at system voltages from 230KV to 25KV. Gene has also managed on line monitoring equipment for power transformers and substation automation systems, including architecture development/deployment to meet the needs of a wide array of clients both domestically and internationally. Grace’s past experience includes positions with Serveron, GE, Schlumberger, Black and Veatch, and North Carolina EMC. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering.

Kenny is a master of machines and electrical equipment. He is capable in a wide breadth of disciplines and manages the production of everything we need. Kenny has a visible commitment to keep our organization on schedule with quality work.

Kenny oversees our cabinet wiring and is a master welder among other amazing talents.