The Company

Quality Training Systems has provided training and performance support services for electric utilities, since 1997. The company's primary focus is the design and development of system operator training programs to satisfy the requirements of NERC standard PER-005.

Our flagship product, Quality Training Database™, has been developed over the past several years to assist trainers and managers to organize and track training records: everything from Job and Task Analysis (JTA) data through CEHs needed for recertification.. The Database includes a generic task list and catalog of learning objectives that provide a uniquely valuable starting point for any company starting to develop its own JTA.

Business Strategy

Quality Training Systems maintains a small core staff. Our business strategy is to team with other companies and consultants to ensure we always have the best combination of experience and expertise required for each project. For any given project we bring together, as needed, experts in system operations, substation equipment, instructional design, operator training simulators, procedure development, technical writing, and more.

This method of working gives us the ability to meet the needs of our customers, in the most cost-effective manner.

Personnel

Principal Consultant and President, Sarah Lutterodt, Ph.D. led the industry in applying the Systems Approach to Training to the design and development of system operator training programs.

During her more than 20 years working for the industry, she has completed JTAs and designed training programs for control room positions at close to 40 companies. This long experience was applied in developing the Quality Training Database

The core support staff include:

Stefanie Pressl, M.S. helps QTS clients bring their training programs into compliance with NERC PER standards, and increases their ability to prepare for NERC audits. Stefanie also consults with clients on how to most effectively use QTS software to prepare for audits, leading on-site Quality Training Database™ workshops at client locations, or working with individuals in customized one-on-one sessions.

John Yankasky, B.S. joined the QTS team in 2011 as Director of Consulting Services. He has a degree in Electrical Engineering and over 16 years of experience in applying the Systems Approach to Training to the design and development of training programs for a wide range of electric utility disciplines, including system operations, substation maintenance, and numerous generating facility positions. He applies his considerable experience in JTA, curriculum design and development, and project management to lead and oversee QTS consulting projects and ensure quality for every client.

Carolyn Zimmerman has been providing training and documentation services to the electric utility industry since 1982. In the training arena, she conducts job/task analyses, designs training programs, develops training materials, and conducts writing courses. She also designs and develops a wide variety of technical documentation including operating and administrative procedures, major corporate programs, and user manuals.

Paul Steinberger draws on his 30 years of experience in a variety of utility training and management positions to lend advice and counsel to clients, helping them achieve and maintain compliance with NERC PER regulations. In supporting the Quality Training Systems team, Paul is the "voice of experience"; ensuring QTS clients receive the benefit of technical knowledge and experience of system operations that come from decades on the job.

Tamara Wierks, M.S., Holds a NERC certification and is a part of our consulting team. She uses the skills and knowledge obtained in the process of preparing for the NERC certification to help QTS clients develop their task and step lists. Tamara also co-facilitates Quality Training Database™ workshops, and provides technical writing and development support for any of our large scale client projects.

Art Moore has 32 years of utility industry experience in various positions including Training, Engineering, Regulatory Compliance, Quality Assurance, Operations, and Management. This extensive and well-rounded utility background provides valuable perspective to training and compliance related projects, and benefits client organizations as they negotiate challenges brought about by evolving regulations and requirements.

Lakshmi Gopalaiah, B.S., is the Quality Training Database™ guru and the point of contact for all things QTD™. She uses her Engineering degree as well as her knowledge of computer software principles (such as database administration) to test new QTD™ version releases, compile user documentation and provide ongoing application support to our clients.

An Tran, M.A., is the newest member of our consulting team. She is actively learning about the electric utility industry by working on job task analysis consulting projects. Additionally she the training coordinator for all QTS workshops.

Ruth Gottuk, M.A., oversees daily QTS office operations and works directly with Lakshmi in handling Quality Training Database™ inquiries, testing, and support.  Her Engineering degree and computer experience make her uniquely qualified to tackle the variety of tasks necessary to keep the office running smoothly at Quality Training Systems.