TRAINER BIOS
Meet Our Trainers
Anthony Calascibetta, Trainer
Linda Calderiso, Trainer
See Anthony's Bio
Anthony has 40 years of Electrical experience and 25 years of Electric Utility experience. Starting out as a Lineworker, he moved to the Substation Division as a Lead Substation Technician.
He is proficient in relay testing, transformer testing, circuit breaker testing, and all aspects of wiring in overhead, underground, metering, and substations.
Anthony is an OSHA Authorized General Industry Trainer, and OSHA Authorized Construction Trainer and a Certified Utility Safety Professional (CUSP).
See Linda's Bio
Linda has been with Northeast Public Power Association for 23 years as a trainer. In her role as trainer, she teaches Medic First Aid Basic Plus course and Ergonomics.
Before joining NEPPA, Linda was an Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer in the US Military and retired after 22 years of service. Linda has also retired from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and previously responded to Hurricane Irene, Joplin Tornado, Hurricane Sandy and served in the Emergency Response Center on 9/11.
She is certified by the American Council on Exercise as a Group Fitness Leader and is currently a virtual life coach who counsels and encourages participants to reach their ultimate health and fitness goals in different areas of their life.
Pete Crowley, Trainer
Craig Desjardins, Trainer
See Pete's Bio
Pete has been an instructor for the Northeast Public Power Association since April of 2015 and travels all throughout New England. Before joining NEPPA, Pete started as a lineman in May of 1984 with Green Mountain Power. Then he moved over to Burlington Electric in 2002 where he was working as a line foreman. Pete has an Associate’s degree of applied science in Power Technology and has his Mass. 1B/2A Hoisting License.
Pete currently lives in St. Albans, VT on Lake Champlain and has been married to his wife, Mary Ann, for the past 30 years. They have two children together, Nathan and Natalie and four grandchildren. His hobbies are woodworking and beekeeping. Pete says, “teaching has been a big part of my career and NEPPA gives me a chance to continue teaching, which I love to do!”
See Craig's Bio
Craig joined NEPPA in 2024 with over 30 years of full-time firefighting and first responder experience. He currently serves as Captain at the Maynard Massachusetts Fire Department and hopes to transition into a full-time instructor when he retires from the fire service in a couple of years. His focus at NEPPA is instructing first aid, CPR and OSHA related subject matter. His experience as a first responder brings a new perspective to the health and safety obstacles that lineworkers face today.
In addition to his fire service, Craig operated a successful tree/landscape and excavation company, while also servicing his fire department’s 100 milliamp fire alarm system. This led to Craig’s respect for pole climbing and working with high voltage power systems. Craig has a master’s degree in OSHA, a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, and holds many applicable certifications and licenses that add value to the NEPPA education experience. Some of these credentials include: EMT B, Fire Instructor, Fire Safety Officer, CDL B, Mass Hydraulics’ 2A/1C and OSHA 511.
Craig has been married to his wife Beth for 24 years and has three children. His hobbies include playing hockey, saltwater fishing, and riding his motorcycle. Craig loves learning about the power industry as he travels through New England, meeting new people and gaining valuable experience. We are excited for Craig to share his wealth of knowledge with NEPPA members while also sharing the information gained from his exposure to the power industry with the fire service, making it beneficial to both industries.
Dan Flynn, Trainer
William "Bill" Hesson, Trainer
See Dan's Bio
Dan Flynn has been a safety trainer with Northeast Public Power Association, since September 2018 after retiring from Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Dept with more than a 40-year career in public power. Dan is a Certified First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor.
Dan started in the electric meter department in the 1970’s and worked his way through the electric line department as a lineman/line foremen and his last position as the electric department superintendent. Some of Dan’s responsibilities included construction, maintenance, and safety of the electric line division. Dan continues to maintain his 1B/2A Mass. hoisting license and a Mass. Class A Driving license.
Dan lives with his wife of 43 years, Alayne, and they have two adult children and three grandchildren.
He says, “It is a privilege to continue to be involved with the public power industry in New England to give back any knowledge I’ve acquired over these many years.”
See Bill's Bio
Bio coming soon …
Mike Pazzanese, Trainer
Tim Richardson, Trainer
See Mike's Bio
Mike joined NEPPA as part of the training team in April 2021. Mike is a Certified Utility Safety Professional (CUSP) with 41 years of experience in all aspects of electric and gas utility operations, as well as contractor management, employee health and safety, and utility technical training, particularly in underground distribution and cable splicing.
Mike holds both the OSHA 30-hour General Industry and 20-hour Leadership Certifications. Mike is also an Authorized OSHA Trainer-General Industry.
As a graduate of Bridgewater State University with a teaching degree, Mike’s background in utility and 11 years of technical training experience strengthens NEPPA’s capacity to provide top-tier training.
See Tim's Bio
Tim Richardson joined NEPPA in September of 2019 and has been an asset to the training team. Tim has a long history working in the electric utility industry, Belmont Municipal Light Department from 1995 – 2007. There he served in many management capacity including General Manager.
Most recently, Tim has worked as Principal of Fundy Power Services, LLC and at Consulting Engineers Group prior to that.
Tim brings a wealth of both technical and safety expertise to the organization and applies it using an easy-to-understand and easy-to-learn approach.
Ken Rollins, Trainer
Steve Socoby, Trainer
See Ken's Bio
Ken has been involved with the utility business for over 47 years, starting in the Danvers Water Dept. in the mid-seventies. He transferred to Danvers Electric Light in the mid-eighties going through his apprenticeship to become a journeyman lineman. In 1990, he was hired by Middleton Electric as a First Class Lineman and was promoted to Crew Leader, then Line Foreman and then became the Facilities Coordinator.
He has been involved with multiple Mutual Aid Storm related emergencies as a lineman and supervisor all over New England, Florida and the Virgin Islands. His knowledge and skills have greatly benefited the NEPPA team in NEPPA safety meetings as well as the NEPPA Apprentice program.
See Steve's Bio
Steve has 50 years of hands-on experience in all facets of public power utility operations. His past roles, including as a Line Superintendent, have helped him gain expertise in supervision of crews, maintenance, new construction, reliability, and associated plant & substation responsibilities. He is a Certified Utility Safety Professional (CUSP) and a recognized expert in safety and OSHA compliance.
Recognized as an industry leader and expert, in 2001, Steve received the Distinguished Service Award from the Northeast Public Power Association and has been recognized by the Maine State Legislature for his previous 30 Years of Distinguished Service. Steve attended the University of Maine at Orono.
In 2020, Steve was honored for his long-standing commitment to NEPPA and the industry by being awarded the organization’s Person of the Year Award.