We would like to congratulate Dale Litherland, Mechanical Integrity Specialist, Brandenburg, on his upcoming retirement. Dale’s last day is today, August 31.

Prior to working here at the Kentucky plant, Dale was an active-duty Navy Chief Petty Officer stationed in Louisville, Kentucky, as the Senior Enlisted Advisor, for Naval Reservist in the tri-state region at Navy Operational Support Center Louisville. For most of his 26-year career in the Navy, he was a Non-Destructive Testing of Metals Inspector – inspecting and repairing ships and submarines. This experience and education led to Dale’s position here in the plant, having gained extensive welding, mechanical, understanding of metals, piping, and pressure vessels. 

Dale has supported the site through numerous owners as a Mechanical Integrity expert – managing inspections and repairs of our storage tanks, pressure vessels, and piping systems. One of Dale’s biggest accomplishments occurred as the site was transitioning to Monument ownership. The team was asked to ensure that all plant PSM inspections were current – and that all equipment be repaired or replaced that did not pass inspection. The site’s previous owners had fallen very far behind in meeting PSM standards, with only 7% of the plant’s tanks and vessels being inspected; no piping had current inspections. This was a large task to complete in approximately 1.5 to 2 years. Thanks to Dale’s support, the team was able to complete the inspections and repairs on time, replacing close to 57 tanks and vessels, and completing repairs to multiple piping systems. These efforts laid the foundation of the plant’s current inspection system and the equipment records we have today. We have come light years from where we started!

Dale’s plans for retirement include doing more traveling both here in the U.S. and overseas. During Dale’s time in the military, he was able to visit 26 countries, and he has some favorite places he’d like to take his wife Cheryl to see. Dale and his wife enjoy long-distance riding and traveling on two wheels, so retirement will include plenty of time on a motorcycle. Dale has a 1969 Harley Davidson that he plans on restoring, and he is currently in the process of repainting his 1979 Harley Davidson Electra Glide. Between traveling and motorcycling, Dale also plans to sit back, relax, and enjoy life.

Please join us in thanking Dale for his many contributions to Brandenburg and Monument – and in wishing him a very happy retirement.