Ken Raming, manager of engineering services for Ozark Electric Cooperative, was recently honored with the Jim McNabb Engineering Innovation Award by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, the statewide service organization for Missouri’s Electric Cooperatives.

The purpose of the award is to give recognition to an outstanding engineer whose innovative thinking has in some way benefitted the entire state by improving the efficiency, increasing the reliability or reducing the costs for the generation and transmission of electricity on the statewide electric cooperative grid.

“To earn this award, a nominee must be considered to have contributed clearly above and beyond the normal routine call of duty in a way that makes a significant impact,” said Caleb Jones, CEO of the association. “Such a person is Ken Raming. He has been an asset to Ozark Electric Cooperative since the day he was hired in 1988.”

Ken has been serving the cooperative members of Ozark Electric for 35 years. He has been an integral asset to the development of the cooperative’s Engineering Department, adding value through technological development, certifications, hiring, and education of new employees. 

His cooperative career began in January 1988 as Ozark Electric’s Consulting Engineer, a role he served in for 14 years. Thereafter, he was hired full-time as the Divisional Manager of Engineering in November of 2001. 

Throughout Ken’s tenure, he has implemented and developed new technologies to aid Ozark Electric’s operations including SCADA and GIS technologies. Programs implemented also include a Conservative Voltage Reduction program, Fault Locating Isolation and Restoration program, and Loss Control Through Transformer Management program. 

He has acquired and maintained certifications to be a Registered Professional Engineer in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. The success Ken has shown through his departmental leadership at Ozark Electric has allowed him to serve on multiple boards and committees. He has been an active member of the:

• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

• National Society of Professional Engineers

• Board director and president for the Ozark Chapter of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers

• NRECA Transmission and Distribution Engineering Committee 

• NRECA Overhead Distribution Lines Subcommittee 

• and Ozark Electric’s Safety Committee

On accepting the award, Ken expressed his appreciation to the Board of Directors and Executive Management at Ozark Electric for trusting him in support of his ideas to improve the Engineering Department. Ken also is grateful to his wife, Mary Jo, for always listening and supporting him in his role at the cooperative. 

“His life work has made Ozark Electric better and has greatly contributed to the quality of life in 21st century rural Missouri. His dedication to Ozark Electric Cooperative, the other Missouri electric cooperatives and ultimately the members, make him an ideal recipient of this prestigious award,” Jones added.