Professional Role and Responsibilities
Justin Vala serves as the Senior Vice President of Engineering and Construction at Tenaska Development, a leading private energy company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. Since assuming leadership of the Engineering Group in 2021, he has had broad responsibility for overseeing engineering strategy, construction management, and the integration of new energy technologies across Tenaska’s diverse portfolio. His role encompasses technical risk assessment, new technology evaluation, plant simulation, monitoring and optimization, and capital improvement projects.
Under his leadership, Tenaska has expanded its technical capabilities significantly, incorporating renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, battery storage, and hydrogen projects into its traditionally gas-fueled generation portfolio. Justin has directly led the development and construction of multiple large-scale utility and wind power projects, including the successful completion and operation of four utility-scale and wind power projects totaling several hundred megawatts, with at least two wind projects becoming operational in 2020.
Career Background
Justin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, graduating in 2003. He is a registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the state of Nebraska. Prior to his tenure at Tenaska, he gained significant experience at ExxonMobil Chemical, where he worked as a technology engineer, plant engineer, and energy coordinator. This background provided a strong foundation in engineering operations, technology evaluation, and process optimization, relevant to his current responsibilities.
Notable Achievements and Recognition
- Recognized as an Outstanding Alumnus by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Engineering.
- Named a 2025 Alumni Master by the Nebraska Alumni Association, signifying outstanding professional achievement and contribution to the engineering field.
- Honored publicly by Tenaska for his leadership role as Senior Vice President of Engineering and Construction.
Contact Information
- Business phone: 402-938-1660
- Email: jvala@tenaska.com
Organizational Context and Impact
Tenaska is known for developing, managing, and operating approximately 22 gigawatts (GW) of natural gas-fueled and renewable energy generation assets across the United States. Under Justin Vala’s leadership in engineering and construction, the company has fortified its position as one of the nation’s largest and most innovative private energy firms, emphasizing innovation, integrity, excellence, and safety. The engineering group led by Vala has earned awards such as multiple Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star Worksite recognitions, covering over 147 employees, reflecting a strong emphasis on workforce safety and operational reliability.
Justin’s leadership in integrating diversified energy sources and driving large-scale project execution aligns with Tenaska’s strategic growth objectives in the clean energy transition, positioning the company for long-term sustainable expansion.
This profile consolidates all critical professional and contextual data on Justin Vala relevant to Tenaska’s engineering and construction leadership, highlighting his expertise, role in the company’s strategic initiatives in renewable energy integration, and his recognized status within the engineering community.
