In the very early hours of October 6th, employees from almost every department began arriving at the Operations Center with cookers and food to get ready for GUC’s first ever “Pitmaster Challenge” pig pick’n. The challenge served as the official kickoff to the Safety and Health Fair that ran from morning to evening, all in celebration of the recent one million consecutive hours worked without a lost workday injury. It also coincided with Public Power and Public Natural Gas Week (see story on page 6). 

 Just like other fairs, there was a food court along with lots of vendors and activities. Eight separate GUC teams spent hours smoking pork and making sides of beans and potatoes, while The Filling Station provided grilled chicken, coleslaw, and hushpuppies.  Employees were able to sample from each station and then choose which food line to join. In addition, Simply Natural Creamery and Sensible Snacks were onsite offering sweets and snacks.  

Employees also had fun visiting with 41 health- and safety-related vendors who offered games, giveaways, massages, virtual reality, discounts, and much more! You can check out a list of all the vendors at spotlight.guc.com.  

 Later in the afternoon, the activities shifted to welcome our families to check out many of the exhibitors and the GUC Occupational Health Clinic. Our clinic staff and many health service providers were on hand to answer questions, provide flu vaccines, schedule appointments, and provide well screens for family members. 

“Seeing everyone at the event, celebrating safety success, Public Power and Gas week, and the friendly competition from the Pitmaster Challenge, really served to remind me we are all on the same team and there is not much we can’t do together,” said Operations Support Manager Kevin Keyzer. 

Thank you to the planning committee, the Pitmaster Challenge teams, and the judges for all the hard work that went into pulling off this day of celebration!  

The planning committee included: Chris Evans, Sam Evans, Kevin Keyzer, Vincent Malvarosa, Kelly Smith, and Garrick Yarrell with Operations Support; Jessica Sears (HR/Safety), Scott Brinson (Fleet), Randy Emory and David Springer with Water Resources; Anthony Miller and Durk Tyson with Gas; John Worrell and Ken Wade with Electric; and Mark Nash and Sam Ristow with Buildings and Grounds. Pitmaster Challenge judges were Josh Lewis, David Horn, Shari Hampton, and Tom Kulikowski with the ENC Alliance along with Lance Lee with Grillbillies BBQ Supply. 

Our Pitmaster Challenge teams included: Gas led by Chris Rouse (first place); Electric #1 led by Jason Gaskins (second place); Fleet Maintenance led by Kenny McDonald (third place); Wastewater Treatment Plant led by Steve Hedgepeth; Water Treatment Plant led by Brooks Nobles; Electric Substation led by Michael Starling; Water Resources Engineering led by Tyler Haislip; and Electric #2 led by Gavin Smith.