Energy Company Electrifies Job Market in seeking to Hire U.S. Veterans

Westar Energy joins HireVeterans.com

by Randy Miller, Recruiting Consultant

As the largest electric energy provider in Kansas, serving more than half a million residents, Westar Energy is dedicated to operating the best electric utility in the Midwest and providing quality service at below average prices. Their goal is to become a preferred energy provider, both inside and outside our service territory. To help us achieve this goal, teams of employees are required to make it happen. They have joined up with HireVeterans.com to hire and employ our U.S. Military Veterans

Headquartered in Topeka, Westar Energy employs about 2,000 people and serves more than 650,000 customers in much of east and east-central Kansas. Our energy centers in eight Kansas cities generate more than 6,000 megawatts of electricity, and their operate and coordinate 33,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines.

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Westar Energy also has partial ownership in Wolf Creek Nuclear Generating Station and the State Line Combined Cycle Unit in Joplin, Mo. Wind, coal, nuclear power, natural gas, oil and diesel fuel produce electricity at our plants.

Westar Energy service trucks and customer service centers use advanced technology to better serve our customers. Our 1-800-LIGHT-KS line can accept 30,000 calls per hour. Computer terminals in our service trucks generate work assignments for our crews. During storms, these tools help us restore power quickly.

It is also important to Westar Energy to give something back to the people we serve. Through the Westar Energy Green Team, the Westar Energy Foundation and Westar Energy Community Partners, their help preserve the state’s environment, support non-profit agencies and encourage volunteerism among our employees and retirees. Westar Energy is the largest electric energy provider in Kansas. It takes a team of talented professionals to deliver reliable power to 650,000 customers.Their relationship with our customers — as individuals and as a community — is vital to their success.

In 1909, The American Power & Light Company organized Kansas Gas and Electric Company to operate utilities in Wichita, Pittsburg and Frontenac. KG&E grew rapidly. At the end of 1910, it served three communities and 5,525 customers. By 1925, service extended to 50 communities and 48,773 customers. At one time, KG&E also provided natural gas to Hutchinson, Newton, Pittsburg and Wichita.

With financial backing from Illinois Power and Light Corporation, The Kansas Power and Light Company was founded in 1924 in Tecumseh. Transmission lines ran to Topeka and Atchison. The company immediately began acquiring customers and the assets of area electric and natural gas utilities. In 1983, KPL acquired The Gas Service Company and rights to serve its one million natural gas customers in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

In 1992, KPL merged with KG&E to become Western Resources. It served 560,000 electric customers and 1.06 million natural gas customers in three states. In 1996, an agreement gave Tulsa, Okla.-based ONEOK, Inc. ownership of Western Resources’ natural gas business. In return, Western Resources received approximately 45 percent ownership in ONEOK. This investment was sold in 2002 and 2003 as part of the company’s renewed focus on being a pure electric utility.

In 2002, Western Resources shareholders approved changing the company’s name to Westar Energy. Their stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WR.
COMPANY TIMELINE1910 – KG&E authorized to begin operation.1922 – Kansas Electric Power Co. is incorporated.1924 – Kansas Power and Light Co. is incorporated. Neosho Plant is built. 1935 – United Power and Light merges with KPL.1943 – KPL acquires Kansas Electric Power Company.1955 – KG&E common stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange. 1967 – KG&E requests water rights at John Redmond Reservoir for a nuclear power plant. 1973 – LaCygne Energy Center goes on line.1978 – Jeffrey Energy Center begins commercial operation.1985 –Wolf Creek Generating Station begins commercial operation Sept. 3. 1992 – KPL and KG&E merger completed. Western Resources introduced.1999 – Westar Wind becomes the first commercially operated wind turbine project in Kansas. 2002 – Westar Energy is introduced. The KPL, KGE and Western Resources names are retired.2002 and 2003 –
Westar Energy sells ONEOK stock.

Westar Energy strongly believes in maintaining a work force that uses the strengths of our diverse communities. Through partnerships with communities, Westar Energy is able to be an outstanding model of civic leadership and environmental stewardship. Westar Energy is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action program employer.

Applications are accepted only for positions currently available and must be submitted through our online process. Prospects must meet the established qualifications, so please carefully review the job qualifications here on HireVeterans.com