Working across Xcel's territory in South Dakota, Colorado, and Minnesota. Each state office seems to operate differently. Anyone have contacts or relationship-building advice for their regional teams?
Xcel Energy relationship building - Midwest tips
Xcel generally operates with high professional standards. Take time to understand their procedures upfront and you'll find them cooperative partners. They appreciate auditors who do thorough work.
Xcel Minnesota is great to work with. Ask for Tom Peterson in their Omaha business services office - he covers multi-state accounts and can coordinate. Really knows his stuff on rate schedules.
Colorado office is tougher. They're very process-driven. Make sure you have proper authorization forms signed before they'll discuss anything. Once you're in their system though, they're professional.
Phoenix has some Xcel territory too. Their southwestern region manager Jennifer Martinez is excellent. She actually understands what we do and will explain rate structures clearly.
Key with Xcel is getting on their approved vendor list. Takes some paperwork but once you're approved, doors open much easier. They send out RFPs regularly for energy consulting work.