Cathy McGowan joined GUC’s Control Room (also known as Station 1) five years ago after working in administration at a neurology practice for eight years. As a Control Room Operator, Cathy is part of the team that plays a key role in safely providing prompt and reliable service to our customers. Our Control Room Operators dispatch personnel to respond to customer needs 24/7, and that’s just the beginning. They must be knowledgeable in all aspects of GUC in order to handle many different scenarios.  

Operators are actively involved in Control Room activities such as monitoring and operating our Electric SCADA System and monitoring the Gas SCADA System. They also work closely with the Meter Section, Substation/Controls, and Customer Relations. After business hours, they manage security surveillance and take care of all calls for the Electric, Water Resources, and Gas Departments. They also monitor the 24-hour weather radar and lightning detection system that we use in making many operational decisions, such as alerting employees of possible adverse weather headed our way.  

Fun Fact! Cathy enjoys crafting and loves making decorations for friends and family! 

What are your favorite things about your job? I like talking to customers.  

What did you want to be when you were younger? I wanted to be a dispatcher with law enforcement. 

What motivates you to work hard? I work hard to pay for my grandbabies’ toys! 

What was your very first job? My first job was with Wendy’s in Washington.  

What is your favorite family or holiday tradition? I like our family Christmas gatherings. It’s always lots of fun, especially with the grandkids.  

Do you have a favorite family recipe? Corn pudding is a family favorite, and now my daughters are starting to make it. 

What would you like us to know about your family? My husband, Mike, and I have been married 18 years. We’ve got six grandkids and three daughters who all live in eastern North Carolina. Mike is an Underground Crew Leader at GUC.  

Who is your favorite band or singer? Aerosmith. 

Who is your hero? My husband. 

Given a chance, who would you like to be for a day? My grandma because she was a very Godly woman and kept me in church. She was blind and helped raise me and my brother. 

What have been your favorite travel destinations? Las Vegas and Atlantic City. 

What would you do if you won the lottery? Spend it on my grandkids! 

Is there a celebrity you’d like to meet? George Strait. 

What emoji do you use the most? Laughing emoji because I’m always sending something funny. 

What app do you use the most? Snapchat. 

Coke or Pepsi? Dr. Pepper. 

What’s your favorite thing to do when not at work? Be with the grandkids. 

What is at the top of your bucket list? Visit Hawaii. 

If given the chance, what time period would you want to want to live in? 1980’s. 

What’s your favorite season of the year? Winter. 

What’s your favorite snack? Mixed nuts and peanut butter. 

What is your favorite restaurant? Snappers in Morehead. 

What is your favorite movie? Pretty Woman. 

Beach or mountains? Mountains.