Meter Technician II Keith Nichols enjoys giving new life to gas and water meters. Keith and his colleagues in the Meter Shop put old meters through a multitude of tests. For the meters that pass, they give them a deep cleaning, fix what isn't working, and add a fresh coat of paint before sending them back out for another round.

What happens to the meters that don't have any life left in them? "We sell them as scrap," he said.

This year, Keith celebrates 19 years with GUC. He began his career here as a Meter Reader. Technology, he says, continues to change everything - in a good way. In the early 2000's, Keith's job responsibilities as a Meter Reader changed when GUC implemented Automated Meter Reading (AMR). "We no longer had to drive out to each location every month," he said. Through AMR, meter data is sent through a radio transmitter directly to computers on GUC's vehicles.

"While new systems can be challenging," Keith said, "I love learning and figuring out how to deal with these challenges." That's good because recently Keith's job as a Meter Technician changed for the better again with the recent launch of Customer Care and Billing (CC&B) and Mobile Workforce Management (MWM). Keith mostly uses CC&B to electronically create field activities (previously known as work orders). What he does in CC&B is communicated to his colleagues in the field via MWM, allowing the field activities to be completed using iPads.

"Employees in the field are receiving the field activities a lot faster than they used to," Keith said. "Everything is technical and I really like it a lot. Technology is intriguing."

Originally from Winterville, he graduated from D.H. Conley High School in 1994 and attended Pitt Community College for Electronics Technology. Like many people who work a full-time job, he couldn't fit the classes into his busy schedule. However, Keith is determined to finish what he started and also wants to take leadership courses at the University of Mount Olive to enhance his public speaking skills.

Keith's determination and hard work ethic are contagious. He really loves his job and most importantly, he enjoys working outside with a great group of guys.

One thing most people may not know is that Keith is an avid Civil War historian. He and his wife, Elaine, frequently travel to the hallowed battlefields at Gettysburg and Sharpsburg (Antietam).

When not travelling, he enjoys watching movies like Gods and Generals with Elaine and their rescued Chihuahua, Roscoe. They also enjoy vacationing in Atlantic Beach where Keith spends time fishing for King Mackerel.

You will also find them in Dowdy Ficklen Stadium. Keith bleeds ECU purple and gold and, believe it or not, Carolina blue. "When ECU and Carolina play football, I pull for ECU," Keith said. "I prefer Carolina basketball, though."

GUC is fortunate to have dedicated employees like Keith who work hard each and every day to keep the meters running.