Russell R. Safreed, PE, has been general manager at CBS ArcSafe’s West Virginia location since CBS ArcSafe acquired MarTek Limited in 2018. Prior to this acquisition, Russ co-owned MarTek Limited, the company that invented the well-known remote pistol-grip switch actuator dubbed the Chicken Switch. Russ has a wide range of practical engineering experience with companies such as Virginia Power, Union Carbide, Brown Electric, Aker Solutions, and DuPont. He has been responsible for the operation of power distribution systems ranging from 480 to 46,000 volts and has led the design of electrical projects for chemical manufacturing and power plants. He has held positions covering all facets of industrial electrical systems from designing substations and substation installation to the operation and maintenance of those stations.