Tree Trimmer II Ray Baker recently retired after 26 years with Greenville Utilities. Ray worked 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 make 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 or vegetation is involved. 

Ray started with GUC in Load Management before transferring to the Line Clearing Section of the Electric Department. He says he is more of an outdoorsman and appreciated a career working outside but that he’ll especially miss his coworkers. “I enjoyed working with the different sections whenever anyone needed help, especially during storms,” he said. “I also enjoyed mowing and working the rights-of-way.”

Ray isn’t completely giving up work. He plans on doing more side jobs with trees, landscaping, and woodworking in retirement. He also looks forward to more hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. Ray and his wife, Sarah, have three children ranging from ages 16 to 32, and two grandsons. 

Congratulations, Ray, on your retirement!