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Thrasher joins Hydro Consulting & Maintenance Services, Zayas now SVP of Eagle Creek

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Two recent job transitions have occurred in the hydroelectric power industry in the U.S.

First, Jim Thrasher, PE, has joined Hydro Consulting & Maintenance Services as a member of the business development team. He will bring his hydroelectric engineering background to his role, expanding the company’s relationships throughout the U.S., HCMS says.

Previously, Thrasher worked for American Electric Power, retiring as their maintenance production supervisor after more than 30 years with the company. AEP’s 21.6-MW Byllesby hydroelectric plant received a Hydro Hall of Fame award at HYDROVISION International in 2018.

Thrasher has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Virginia Military Institute and a master’s degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University. He served as a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1982 to 1989.

HCMS provides installation, repair and maintenance services for hydroelectric turbines and generators.

Second, earlier this year, Jose Zayas (pictured above) was named senior vice president, strategic partnerships and initiatives with Eagle Creek Renewable Energy. Formerly, Zayas was vice president, partnerships and strategic initiatives with Cube Hydro. Late last year, Ontario Power Generation in Canada finalized its acquisition of Cube Hydro. OPG bought Eagle Creek in 2018 and then combined Eagle Creek and Cube Hydro under the Eagle Creek name

Before joining Cube Hydro, he was director for the Wind and Water Program of the U.S. Department of Energy and senior manager, renewable energy technologies with Sandia National Laboratories.

Zayas has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico and a master’s degree in mechanical and aeronautical engineering from the University of California, Davis.

The new Eagle Creek owns and operates 85 mostly small hydroelectric facilities in 18 U.S. states with a total capacity of 620 MW and average annual production of more than 2.5 billion kWh of electricity. The company’s corporate headquarters are in Morristown, N.J.