Sandy Barnes, Director of Information Technology, has retired after 16 years with Greenville Utilities. She directed all IT departmental operations and activities, including the establishment of guidelines and directions for using information technology to serve both internal and external customers. Sandy was responsible for the day-to-day operation of the technology that is supported by the five IT Teams: Support, Applications, Customer Service, Geographic Information System, and Database Administration.

Sandy began her IT career as a Programmer at People’s Bank and Trust, and eventually became the bank’s Director of IT Operations. After 12 years with the bank, she joined what was then Pitt County Memorial Hospital, now Vidant Medical Center, as IT Manager for 13 years.

During her 16 years at GUC, Sandy led the IT Department through a lot of successful changes and award-winning technology implementations. She says the biggest project was what we called OPTICS (Optimizing Processes and Technology to Improve Customer Service). In a nutshell, OPTICS provided a roadmap to standardize and consolidate the way GUC does business by providing the right processes supported by the right technology to deliver exceptional service to our customers. The multi-year project included implementation of new systems like Work & Asset Management (WAM), Customer Care and Billing (CCB), and much more.

“I’m proud of our staff and what we’ve accomplished collectively,” she said. “It takes a team and a lot of collaboration and common goals to help every department at Greenville Utilities.”

She also said that she enjoyed being part of the GUC family and GUC’s Management Team. “I enjoyed the people and relationships here. I know everyone says it, but it’s true. Sometimes, we are at work more than we are at home, so it’s important to enjoy being around those you work with. And being part of the Management Team made me feel like I could make a difference.”

Sandy and her husband, Tony (retired Stores Manager), have a son, Travis, daughter, Mallory, two-year-old grandson, Brayden, and brand-new baby granddaughter, Caroline. Travis and his family live in Tampa, Florida, where Tony has already secured a home for he, Sandy, and Mallory. In retirement, Sandy plans to spend a lot of time helping with the grandkids and getting settled in her new home. She also hopes to take up pickle ball and get out on the boat more often.

Good luck in retirement, Sandy!