AQP person: Jim Carlineo

Name: Jim Carlineo

Age: 60

Company: Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. (BGE)

Joined AQP: 1982

Title: Sr. Environmental Scientist

Background & What I do: I officially became involved in quality and participation in January 1982 when I was asked to switch jobs to

become a facilitator (a one-year assignment) for BGE to implement a quality circle program in the company. I facilitated groups and trained leaders and facilitators until July 1993 when I was affected by downsizing. I then changed careers, still within BGE, entering the environmental field to perform environmental assessments of company locations. Performing assessments allowed me the opportunity to practice many quality principles learned throughout the years.

Here we are in 2001 and once again my job has changed as a result of the numerous changes in the utility industry. Actually my job was eliminated in July and I am working on a special assignment with a team that is reviewing a major company process. Yes, here I am, once again, smack dab in the middle of another quality initiative. I will be retiring December 1 and can only repeat what Cal Ripken, our local baseball legend, stated at one of his farewell appearances this year, "It has been a wonderful run."

How do you practice quality and participation every day? Treat every contact each day as a customer, try to determine their requirements and meet or exceed them.

Top priorities when it comes to quality and participation:

Recognition, recognition, and recognition. I take every opportunity to recognize, in some way, every contribution someone makes to whatever is being asked. I believe a "thank you" reinforces participation.

Outlook on quality and participation in the business world:

There are still a lot of businesses that preach quality and participation but if you listen to some of their employees, there is a disconnect. Businesses have to practice what they preach. The working environment today is fast and furious and technology changes come rapidly. One person cannot keep up on everything; we must rely on each other.

Why do you belong to AQP? AQP has been my prime source of quality education for almost 20 years. I do not mean only through their course offerings. Involvement has been my key with AQP from the local chapter and with national. Many relationships have been formed through the years just by involvement as a board member, conference committees, utility forums, team competition, etc.... We all enjoy being a part of some team. AQP is my "A" team.

Favorite activities and personal stuff: My wife, Evelyn, and I have four children and four grandchildren to keep us plenty busy. That must be the reason she loves to attend the AQP conferences with me. Seriously, we love our family involvement. We also like to travel and play golf together. In fact, with retirement looking us in the face, we are planning more trips and more golfing.

IMAGE PHOTOGRAPH 10