Montana Tech electrical engineering graduates keep heaters running, lights on through dangerous winter conditions

When temperatures plummet to a life-threatening 50 below zero in the worst of Montana winters, Montana Technological University alumni are on the front lines, making sure NorthWestern Energy customers stay warm and safe.

“The electrical system provides critical service to all, especially under extreme conditions,” said Nate Thompson, supervisor of relay engineering for NorthWestern Energy. “The past couple of winters have seen temperatures reach -50 in some parts of the state and the importance of serving NorthWestern’s customers is readily apparent. For example, an electrical cooperative NorthWestern provides transmission service to had a piece of equipment fail last year, knocking out power to thousands of their members. The engineering challenge was designing and implementing a safe and secure temporary solution to get their members back into power as quickly as possible. Within only a couple of hours of getting the call, their members were starting to get restored. It is gratifying to work for a company that does the right thing to help the cooperative get power back to their members under those conditions.”

Thompson, of Columbia Falls, earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Montana Tech in 2015. The decision to become an Oredigger came natural to Thompson. He grew seeing his grandfather Robert Geach (Geological Engineering ‘52) proudly display Montana Tech license plates. Geach enjoyed a successful career with the Anaconda Company, Silver Bow County and the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology before teaching vocational-technical education. Thompson’s parents also took classes at Montana Tech before his father launched a career in education. His older brother, Jordan Thompson, graduated from Montana Tech in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in occupational safety and health and has gone on to become a manager of refinery safety affairs at Valero.

“Almost our entire family is originally from Butte and I have aunts, uncles, and cousins who are also Montana Tech graduates,” Thompson said. “When you combine Tech’s reputation and all of those connections, the decision was easy.”

Thompson also enjoyed playing on the football team. He says his education at Montana Tech gave him great practice in fundamentals that he still utilizes today.

“As the complexity of electrical systems grow, the fundamentals remain the same,” Thompson said. “As with any engineering challenge, you start with the fundamentals of what you’re dealing with and proceed forward. The education you gain from Montana Tech makes the fundamentals second nature and gives a significant jump forward in realizing solutions.”

In his current position, Thompson is a leader supported by other Montana Tech graduates.

“I mentor a team of engineers tasked with protecting NorthWestern Energy’s Montana and South Dakota electrical assets,” Thompson said. “All of the engineers I mentor are Montana Tech graduates. I was mentored and now work alongside another Montana Tech graduate, Nicole Hunter, who supervises the substation engineers. We report to  Montana Tech graduate Brett Badovinac, who manages all substation capital improvements. The ties between NorthWestern Energy and Tech run deep.”

Thompson’s advice for current students is simple.

“Utilize Montana Tech’s reputation in the industry to gain internships early and gain experience applying what you’ve learned through your coursework,” Thompson said.

Thompson and his wife Hailey (Occupational Safety and Health, ’19) have three children. 

“One day we’re looking forward to them joining the list of Montana Tech alums as well,” Thompson said. “The value the Montana Tech degree provides, through it’s well known and deserved reputation combined with a superior cost of attendance and numerous scholarship opportunities available, make it the best choice for anyone looking to continue their education.”