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Mainline Energy Consultants

Mainline Energy Consultants

Estes Parker (BS '06, Mechanical Engineering) and Dan Baggiani (BS '07, Civil Engineering) are co-founders of an energy consulting firm in Pennsylvania. They founded Mainline Energy Consultants in 2011 as an LLC with one other non-Bronco partner (Christian Sorensen) after working in the industry for several years.

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We were having many difficulties being able to offer the type of services and customer relationships we wanted to maintain due to the tangled web of corporate politics at our previous company, " Parker explained. "We decided that in order to offer truly customer-oriented service, while at the same time cutting out a lot of the unnecessary corporate overhead and bloat, we would have to create our own company. In doing this, it allowed the formation of a lean, efficient team in which all members have the ability to wear multiple hats, and contribute to a large degree to the overall success we have seen to this point."

Parker and Baggiani met during their first year at WMU, living on the 3rd floor of Harrison Hall. While still in school they kicked around the idea of one day starting a company—it wasn't until 2009 when that idea started coming together.

Today, the two are Principal Engineers and Consultants for Mainline Energy Consultants. "The company primarily designs and analyzes high voltage power lines, and the various structures that hold them," Parker said. "Additional focus on performing the analysis of structures for the ability to carry the new cellular antennas that are being built is also offered.

Their clients consist mostly of utility/power companies that need detailed engineering related to upgrading electrical infrastructure—which makes Mainline a major player in making the nation's power supply more efficient and capable.

Parker gave an example of a recent project where a client needed some updates on an aging power line. "They wanted to run more electricity through to both supply a new area of the state, and to increase the reliability of the line under extreme weather scenarios. We were hired to design an entirely new line to handle the higher capacity lines, and the increased loads created from the extreme ice and wind that was expected in the area. We designed a complete package that consisted of plans for removing the old structures, design of all new structures for carrying the larger lines, environmental impact studies of the surrounding areas, and the actual design of the installed power cables."

Parker and Baggiani both place decent credit for establishing this type of company on their education from WMU.

"While the technical degrees offered at WMU were of a very high quality, they were not specifically designed around a singular industry or job function. Both Dan and I feel strongly that the degree programs gave us insight and tools that would allow for a passion and understanding of how to conduct individual research and learning after graduation. That ability allowed for quick growth and understanding in a unique industry, " Parker said.

For additional information about the company, please visit their website by following the link below:

MAINLINE ENERGY CONSULTANTS, LLC

Pictured above are Dan Baggiano, Estes Parker, and Christian Sorrensen standing near some of the power lines on which they have worked. 

Remembering WMU:

Baggiani always enjoyed fall Saturdays going to Waldo stadium to watch football. He was excited after graduation to go out onto the field to take pictures in his cap and gown. It was a moment that was powerful in that it was the culmination and end of his college career, and gave the first real sense of the start of his professional career. 

Parker fondly remembers freshman year living in the dorms. The floor was very social, and almost acted as one big family. Everyone left their doors open, people came and went, there was always someone to talk with, and it was a great lesson in how a group of strangers can bond together to deal with a completely new situation to all of them. Many close friendships were formed there, and are still maintained.