Service Awards

Randy Emory / 35 Years
Randy Emory, P.E., recently celebrated 35 years of service with Greenville Utilities. He has been the Director of Water Resources since 2003 and is responsible for overseeing the entire Water Resources Department, which includes the overall operation, budget, administration, engineering, maintenance and improvement of the distribution/collection system, and the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants. Through all those efforts, Randy keeps his eye on our goal of protecting public health and the environment by making sure we have an adequate, safe supply of drinking water as well as an effective system for collecting and treating wastewater. "The best part of working at GUC is all the good people who work here," said Randy. "As the generations have changed and new people have joined us, they’ve carried on with great work. It’s good to know that the future of GUC is in good hands."  

Deanna Castellow / 25 Years
Environmental Control Officer Deanna Castellow recently celebrated 25 years with GUC. As the Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) for GUC’s Cross-Connection Control Program, she works closely with our Water Distribution crews, local plumbers and contractors, and customers to ensure backflow assemblies are installed and working properly. Backflow occurs when water flows in the opposite direction from its normal flow due to changes in water pressure, which can allow contaminants to enter the drinking water system through cross connections such as hoses or irrigation systems.  Deanna also works closely with our Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Program to ensure that excessive amounts of FOG are kept out of the wastewater collection system. “The thing I enjoy most,” she said, “is the people. I am fortunate to work with a great group of people.” 

Ray Baker / 25 Years
Tree Trimmer II Ray Baker recently celebrated 25 years with Greenville Utilities. Ray works on a Line Clearing Crew that keeps the trees and vegetation near our power lines and rights-of-way cut back and maintained to help prevent outages and makes it easier for crews to do their work. Tree Trimmers work on a three-year cycle and are careful about how they do their jobs based on what species of tree they're working on. Ray started with GUC in Load Management before transferring to the Line Clearing Section of the Electric Department. Ray says he is more of an outdoorsman and appreciates getting to work outside. "I used to work for a company building boats,” he said, “but started trying to get a job with GUC in 1982. I finally landed a job at GUC in 1996 and have enjoyed working here." 

Jason Haddock / 20 Years
Jason Haddock, Service Worker Senior in the Gas Department, recently celebrated 20 years of service with Greenville Utilities. Jason has daily contact with our customers and can respond to their unique needs or questions. He meets with them to turn on their gas service, light appliance pilots, ensure gas appliances are turning on properly with no leaks, respond to gas leak calls, and trouble shoot problems customers may experience with inside piping or appliances. Prior to this role, Jason worked as a Gas Technician IV on a construction crew that installs new mains and repairs/replaces old mains. “Like everybody else, it feels like family here with the camaraderie we have with each other,” said Jason. “Most GUC employees also have trades they do on the side, so if you need help with something personally, like at home or your vehicle, you can call on people you know and trust - just like family.” 

Shirley Peele / 20 Years
Shirley Peele recently celebrated 20 years of service with GUC. As Staff Support Specialist III in the Gas Department, she works as part of the Gas Administration team on a variety of tasks. They work together to process service orders, and maintain records, reports, and databases - to name a few. Shirley is responsible for many of the department’s administration needs, such as preparing correspondence, filing, and scheduling gas cut-on appointments with customers. She also orders supplies, updates procedures, coordinates safety and departmental meetings and luncheons, and makes travel arrangements – anything that helps the department run smoothly. “I really enjoy talking with customers,” said Shirley. “I like helping meet their needs.” 

15 Years

Jordan Godley, Water Resources Systems Maintenance Crew Leader
Deborah Tyson, Cashier I

10 Years

Keith Sullivan, Water Resources Construction Inspector II
Stormi Admendt, WTP Laboratory Technician II
Brian Shannon, WTP Lead Operator

5 Years

Tiffany Davis, Customer Contact Representative I
Jeffery Rouse, Overhead Lineworker Second Class
Ron Davenport, Gas Systems Operator I
Tony Rogers, WWTP Maintenance Instrumentation and Electrician Technician III

Promotions

Robert Wyrick, Control Systems Technician II 
Brandon Burleson, WTP Operator II 
Taylor Easter, WTP Operator I 
CJ Forrest, Overhead Lineworker Third Class 
Kirsten Suggs, Customer Contact Representative II 
David Boyd, Staff Support Specialist III 
Tony Rogers, WWTP Maintenance Instrumentation and Electrician Technician III 
Enrique Basabe Benitez, Meter Technician II 

Accomplishments

Congratulations to the following Water Treatment Plant employees on passing their certification exams from the NC Water Treatment Facility Operators Certification Board: Chemist Chad Flannagan (A-Distribution), Operator II Brandon Burleson (B-Distribution), Operator III Jose Ricca (B-Distribution), Laboratory Technician II Stormi Amendt (B-Surface), and Lead Operator Ryan Gregory (C-Distribution). To obtain these certifications, employees attended weeklong schools where they studied and were tested on a variety of topics including pumps, instrumentation, bacteriology, iron and manganese removal, corrosion control, lab procedures, disinfection, and more. 

Sympathies

Our deepest condolences to Master Mechanic Kenneth McDonald on the recent passing of his grandmother, Helen Webb.  

Our condolences also to Tracy and Carol Colville on the recent passing of Carol’s father, Elliott Bryan Rollins. Tracy is a Water Resources Systems Maintenance Crew Leader and Carol is Fleet Staff Support Specialist II. 

Our deepest condolences to Public Information Officer/Communications Manager Steve Hawley on the recent passing of his mother, LaVon "Bonnie" Hawley.  

Thank You's

Lisa Overman sent an email commending Customer Relations Staff Support Specialist I Carolyn Jones and Customer Contact Representative I Nathan Johnson on providing excellent customer service. “This email is to acknowledge that Nathan and Carolyn provided prompt service with smiling faces, warmth, and friendliness,” she wrote. “It was refreshing and much appreciated. Truly customer service at its best!” 

An anonymous customer called to compliment Meter Technician II Tony Jordan on a recent service call. The customer said Tony was very professional, personal, and polite. She also said, “I know that he is one of GUCs A+ workers.” 

Ella Ward called to thank Control Room Operator II Tammy Warren and Electric Troubleshooter Crew Leader Casey Jones for responding to her call about downed lines in her yard. “I wasn’t sure who the lines belonged to, and GUC responded and rolled them up and out of the way for me, even though they were cable lines,” she said. “As a senior citizen, I appreciate that very much. I could not have done that myself and I commend them both for helping me out.” 

Bernadetta Barber called to compliment Customer Contact Representative II Tara Dixon on helping Mrs. Barber when she really needed it the most. She stated that she’s had a very rough year, with her most recent loss being her father on Thanksgiving. She said that she was at the end of her line until she spoke to Tara, who not only helped Mrs. Barber work through her billing issue but did it with empathy.  

Linda Brewer called to commend Meter Supervisor Allen Lyles and Meter Technician II Brandon Garris for helping her locate her water meter. “Allen even sent me a picture with an arrow showing me where my meter was, and I just wanted to let someone know that these two men deserve the highest praises,” she said. 

New Hires

Thomas Bird,
Stores Warehouse Technician I