David Flaten is the Senior Distribution Engineer with Xcel Energy and has been in the Electrical Distribution Standards Department since 2002. He works on developing resiliency for distribution standards, Avian protection standards and wildfire standards. He began his career with the Northern States Power Company in the Gas and Electric Distribution Standards Department and also worked with Ultra Power Technology Inc., where he was involved in all functions of the company including testing, sales, marketing and industry presentations. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota.