Billy Dudding receives 2009 President's Award for Excellence

Billy Dudding, maintenance superintendent of the Virginia Tech power plant, received the university's 2009 President's Award for Excellence.

The President’s Award for Excellence is presented annually to up to five Virginia Tech staff employees who have made extraordinary contributions by consistent excellence in the performance of their job or a single incident, contribution, or heroic act. Each recipient is awarded a $2,000 cash prize.

Dudding joined Virginia Tech as a maintenance mechanic at the power plant in 1988 and has worked at the plant since then. He was promoted to plumber steamfitter supervisor in 1996 and was again promoted, to his current position, in 2001.

“During these many years of service, Billy has performed consistently above expectations in many areas and has performed his duties with a level of dedication which is rarely seen in today’s workplace,” says Byron Nichols, power plant superintendent.

As maintenance superintendent, Dudding oversees scheduled and daily repairs to equipment including high-speed pumps, steam turbines, air compressors, high-pressure boilers, high-pressure steam distribution, and auxiliary equipment. His efforts help insure the safety of both the plant and the general public, Nichols says.

Superintendent of Operations Ted Acord says Dudding has improved many aspects of the power plant. For example, Dudding purchased the plant’s first laser alignment computer, obtained the training to operate it, and passed down that knowledge and ability to the mechanics that work under him. He has also improved recordkeeping for various pieces of equipment within the plant.

“Billy has established himself as a valuable asset to Virginia Tech,” says Keith Boyd, mechanical utilities director. “His work ethic and willingness to work well with others has made him a vital part of the power plant team. He is always willing to go above and beyond the call [of duty] to make the plant successful.”