Under Forty: Patrick Wruck

The pandemic didn't stop these luminaries from the energy and utilities space from innovating in all types of technologies. Ninety individuals sprang into action, creating new tools or strategies to better serve their colleagues and communities. This year, PUF is celebrating these ninety Under Forties.
 

PUF's Steve Mitnick: You're the Commission secretary. Talk about your job and what you do on a typical day.

Patrick Wruck: A lot of people don't understand the importance of this position, because they may not understand what it includes. I try to explain it by saying I'm a resource for the public and our team. I need to have a general understanding of our organization, its mandate, and everything we do, but not necessarily be an expert in a particular proceeding or matter before the BCUC.

A large part of my role and my day to day is interacting with intervenor groups that participate on a regular basis, and also folks that have a particular area of interest in one subject we're undertaking a review on.

My role requires me to explain how our processes work and how they can become involved. Often, I need a topical understanding of our work, so I can share basic information about the subject matter that's under review.

I also support our team internally, by finding historical documents, answering questions about our processes, or keeping all of our official records. A primary function of my role is making sure the BCUC has the proper records in our storage facility, we're retaining them well, and they're easily publicly accessible so people can understand all we do. That keeps me excited and keeps my work interesting, as I get to be involved in many things.

PUF: It's a multi-task, high energy position. You've got to keep up with everything. How do you destress at the end of the day?

Patrick Wruck: The key for me in managing stress, isnot to take anything personally. Even if people are attacking you, or they're getting angry at you, it's not personal.

You need to be patient and listen to what they have to say but also remove yourself and know upset people are not attacking you. Another key part is being there to listen. A lot of people just want to share their opinion. Once they've shared it, they're happy, and can move on.

PUF: You were formerly the manager of information services, and now you have to keep the billions of pieces of paper, filings, and testimony. People want access. It's also an IT job?

Patrick Wruck: Yes. Luckily, we have a wonderful IT team, and I rely on them. They do all the hard work. I can't take too much credit as I couldn't do much without them.

I'm not an IT person. I've learned a lot over the years, because I've worked closely with them. It helps me to explain a lot of our tools or processes to Staff and Commissioners.

PUF: Normally a Commission secretary has been around for a while. But you're new. You must've done something right for someone to say, let's move him up, first to information services, and then secretary.

Patrick Wruck: I wouldn't say I'm new exactly. I joined the BCUC in 2013, and prior to becoming the Commission secretary,I was working on complaints. In that role, similar to the one I have now, you had to understand a lot about what we do. You had to know a little about everything because people would complain about all sorts of things.

That gave me a good base of knowledge for this role. I understood how the Commission works. That provided a foundation for me to move into this role.

PUF: What do you feel is the most rewarding part of your job?

Patrick Wruck: There are two parts. One is when an internal team member, a Staff person or a Commissioner, asks for a piece of information that's very old, and I manage to find it within five to ten minutes. They're blown away.

It's fun but challenging to find some of these old records because, in those days, they didn't keep records the way we do today. It can be like a mystery or investigation trying to find these old records. I enjoy that. Looking at old records, I find the history is fascinating.

The other part I enjoy, and I find rewarding is being able to speak to someone, usually a member of the public who has a concern about something we're doing and being able to explain how our process works. It's taking an angry agitated person around to a point where he or she understands what we're here to do, why we're doing it, and why we made the decision we made.

PUF: What advice would you give young people who are just starting their careers?

Patrick Wruck: I'd tell them to absorb as much information as possible in every opportunity.

You don't have to be a subject matter expert to be an asset to your organization and you never know where your knowledge could take you. When I started in Complaints with the BCUC, I didn't expect to progress to being Commission secretary, but I learned a lot about who we are and what we do, and it enabled me to transition successfully into my role.

If someone is interested in a role like mine, I would say it is important to listen to everyone's perspective. Some people just want to share what they think or say this is the right way to do it, and there's no room for negotiation.

You have to be prepared to spend the time to listen. It takes a lot of time and effort, and we don't always have the time with our busy schedules, but be patient, empathetic, and genuine with people. If you do that, you're going to be successful.
 

2021 Fortnightly Under Forty conversations:

• Shivani Sidhar, Sempra Energy
• Devin James, Edison Electric Institute
• Jace Carlock, Entergy
• John Siefert, Electric Power Research Institute
• Amanda Olson, Burns & McDonnell
• Ali Mohammed, New York Power Authority
• Justin Segall, Uplight
• Brandon Pixley, CPS Energy
• Stephanie Crawford, NRECA
• Kristjana Kellgren, Alberta Utilities Commission
• Flavia Lenzi, ENGIE Italia
• Patrick Wruck, British Columbia UC
• Müge Özerten, Hitachi ABB Power Grids
• Aki Marceau, Hawaiian Electric