Jun 27, 2025
Celebrating the Retirement of Jim Petelski: A Career of Dedication, Leadership, and Innovation
After nearly 24 years of exceptional service, Yukon Energy is proud to celebrate the retirement of Jim Petelski. Jim’s contributions to our organization, our people, and the broader energy industry have left a lasting legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
Jim began his career with Yukon Energy on November 13, 2001, and over the years has held several key roles including a diesel turbine operator/tradesperson, maintenance mechanic, hydro maintenance leadhand and coordinator of mechanical projects.
No matter his role, Jim has always been more than a committed employee. He is a leader and mentor, especially in challenging moments. When others faced problems, whether personal or work-related, Jim was the steady hand and the thoughtful voice who lifted everyone around him. His belief in turning setbacks into opportunities inspired countless colleagues to grow into stronger professionals.
One powerful example of Jim’s leadership came during the Aishihik Unit 3 overhaul, where he proactively developed an emergency egress route in case of fire. When a water shaft seal filtration leak emerged, Jim’s quick thinking and decisive action helped secure the site and prevent further risk. Safety wasn’t just a checklist item for Jim—it was a core value he lived and led by every day.
Going above and beyond
Jim’s work ethic is second to none. He regularly spent extended periods away from his family, tackling complex projects with professionalism and purpose. During the recent Aishihik Unit 1 forced outage, Jim set up shop at Aishihik to align contractors, activities and to ensure site safety before and during the project. He also travelled to Montreal and the UK to oversee factory acceptance testing on critical equipment. No matter where his work took him, Jim brought an unwavering sense of responsibility to everything he touched.
One of Jim’s unique contributions was his work underwater on our hydro assets. Thanks to his diving experience, he had the rare opportunity to inspect areas such as intakes, pressure tunnels, penstocks, and tailraces—something no one else at Yukon Energy has done to the same extent. His deep understanding of our facilities, both above and below the surface, is truly one of a kind.
Creativity that shaped the way we work
Jim’s creativity and innovation didn’t just solve problems—it redefined how we approach them. When faced with the challenge of moving heavy equipment to the generator floor at Aishihik, he engineered a solution using specialized trolleys, avoiding riskier and more time-consuming alternatives. It was safer, smarter, and emblematic of Jim’s problem-solving mindset.
But his creativity doesn’t stop there. Jim’s passion for photography and creative eye capturing landscapes and wildlife around our facilities continues to remind all staff of the unique environment we work in. Plus, we’d be remiss not to mention the revamped Aishihik site orientation video…
An industry role model
Jim’s career has been a masterclass in dedication, innovation, and integrity. He set new standards for safety, led with compassion and conviction, and brought a spirit of excellence to everything he did. His impact is felt not only within Yukon Energy, but across the energy industry—where he has earned respect and admiration.
While we will all miss Jim, we thank him for his years of service and his unwavering commitment as he embarks on his well-earned retirement.
Congratulations, Jim. You will always be a part of the Yukon Energy family.
