CCUG – Combined Cycle Users Group

The Combined Cycle Users Group (CCUG) was launched in fall 2011, at its first meeting in San Antonio, as an independent, user-directed group to serve owner/operators of combined-cycle, combined heat and power (CHP), and cogeneration plants. The CCUG is distinguished by the logo shown here and not affiliated with any other group of the same or similar name, nor is it associated with any other industry event.

The organization’s meetings are dedicated to formal presentations and attendee-driven discussion sessions focusing on the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the integrated plant. Additional topics addressed include NERC and other regulatory impacts on planned operation, environmental rulemakings, plant mods to achieve performance goals, safety initiatives, professional development, skills training, etc.

Combined Cycle Users Group Steering Committee

Photo taken: 2019 Conference in St. Louis, MO

Front row, left to right: Jimmy Daghlian, NV Energy; Phyllis Gassert, Talen Energy; Steve Hilger, NAES Corp. – Dogwood Energy Facility; Brian Fretwell, Calpine
Back row, left to right: Robert Mash, GE – River Road Generating Plant; Aaron Kitzmiller, Luminent; John Baker, City of Riverside Public Utilities; Mike Bishoff, Cleco – Teche Power Station

2021 Chair: Phyllis Gassert, Talen Energy
2021 Vice Chair: Brian Fretwell, Calpine Corporation

The success of our user group is due to our members and to the industry leaders who have volunteered their time.

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Brian Fretwell – 2021 Vice Chair
Director, Mechanical Services – Engineering & Construction, Calpine Corporation

Brian Fretwell is a Director of Mechanical Services in Calpine Corporation’s Engineering and Construction group. He has been with Calpine for over 13 year where he has provided engineering, project management and field technical advisory services for its gas fired fleet. He currently manages several compliance and reliability initiatives and programs including: Boiler & Pressure Vessel Compliance, Catalyst Management, Covered Piping Systems (High Energy Piping) Assessment Program and Heat Recovery Steam Generator Assessment Program. Prior to joining Calpine, he was with Chevron USA Products at one of its California refineries. He was with Chevron for 11 years where he held a variety of engineering and management positions including Operations Assistant, Project Engineer, Lead Engineer, Plant Support Engineer and Process Hazards Analysis Coordinator. Brian holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (Mechanical Engineering) in California.
Committee member since 2013

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Phyllis Gassert – 2021 Chair
Director – Asset Management PJM Fossil, Talen Energy

Phyllis’s career began as a design engineer for WorleyParsons in Reading, PA in the mechanical engineering department. She then joined Ontelaunee Energy Center in Reading, PA, owned by Dynegy, as the Senior Plant Engineer. Her knowledge grew with a shift to Talen Energy located in Allentown, PA, where she has had many roles such as Fossil and Hydro Group Outage Manager, Asset Manager of the Northeast Region and Regional Business Manager for PJM Gas. Phyllis current position is Asset Manager within the PJM region. Her overall power experience spans 17 years in combined-cycle activities, such as HRSG upgrades, outage planning, LTSA management, and business/budget planning. Phyllis holds a BS degree in Mathematics from Davis & Elkins College as well as a BS in Mechanical Engineering from West Virginia University.
Committee member since 2012

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Steven Hilger, PE
Plant Manager – NAES Corporation, Dogwood Energy Facility

Steve has worked in the power industry for 25 years. He started his career at Black & Veatch as a Mechanical Engineer. Steve has worked for Calpine at the Aries Power Plant (now Dogwood) as the Plant Engineer; KCP&L as the Plant Superintendent of South Harper Peaking Facility, Nevada Energy Center and Crossroads Energy Center; AECI as Principal Mechanical Engineer in the Gas Turbine Department and currently at NAES as the Plant Manager at Dogwood Energy Facility.

Steve has been involved in many components of power plant operation throughout his career, including design, construction, startup, operations, and layup. The majority of his experience and work has been focused on combustion turbines and combined cycles. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Kansas State University and maintains his professional engineering license in both Missouri and Kansas.
Committee member since 2018

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Aaron Kitzmiller
Principal Engineer – Vistra, Fayette Power Company, LLC

Aaron has worked in the power industry for 19 years. He has worked at two coal fired power plants in his past as an engineer and is presently at a Combined Cycle Power Plant in Masontown, Pennsylvania for the past 10 years where he is the Principal Engineer. He specializes in water treatment, environmental compliance, safety and day-to-day operational challenges.
Prior to the power industry Aaron was involved in many aspects of water/sewer design and has been a manager of a water and sewer utility. He has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from West Virginia University.
Committee member since 2018

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Robert Mash
Plant Manager, GE Power Services, River Road Generating Plant

Robert is the Plant Manager at the River Road Generating Plant in Vancouver, WA and has 29 years of power generation experience. He started his career in the U.S. Navy as a Boiler Technician. Robert spent several years with Calpine and General Electric participating in the construction, commissioning and commercial operation of simple cycle and combined cycle plants ranging from 310 MW to 1214 MW. He is also a member of the Clark County Local Emergency Planning Committee.
Committee member since 2017

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Jonathan Miller
Maintenance Manager, CLECO, Acadia Power Station

Info coming soon…

Committee member since 2021

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Marih Salvat
Operations Manager, Tenaska

Info coming soon…

Committee member since 2021

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Ben Stanley
Plant Manager, DGC Operations, LLC, CPV Valley Energy

Info coming soon…

Committee member since 2021

Mission Statement for the Combined Cycle Users Group

Our aim is to be the predominant combined cycle users group by serving in an exceptional manner the interests of Users, customers and the public by pursuing progressive business strategies by integrating our growing knowledge on plant operations and maintenance, customer needs, user-industries and engineering applications.

This site is managed by Users for Users!

Due to the continued status of COVID-19, Power Users has chosen to not enter into contract negotiations with hotels for 2021 conferences. The existing 2021 hotel contract for 7F Users Group has been moved from May to August with the hope that we will be able to have an in-person conference by late August.

With that in mind, all groups under the Power Users umbrella have been offered the opportunity to co-locate with 7F Users Group at the Marriott St. Louis Grand in St. Louis, MO. This only applies to 2021.

CCUG has elected to hold a virtual conference in 2021.

Open Virtual Conference Details

The Individual Achievement Award is earned by industry professionals who have demonstrated excellence throughout their careers in the design, construction, management, operation, and/or maintenance of generating facilities powered by gas turbines.

2021 Individual Achievement Award Nomination Form

Deadline to submit a nomination form is Friday, April 30, 2021.

Meet our Past Award Winners: