In the very early hours of October 3rd, employees began arriving at the Operations Center with cookers and food to get ready for GUC’s second annual “Pitmaster Challenge” pig pick’n. The challenge served as the official kickoff to Public Power and Public Natural Gas Week!  

Eleven separate GUC teams spent hours smoking pork, while The Filling Station provided fried chicken and all the sides; and Jam Soft-Serve Ice Cream provided dessert. Employees were able to sample from each BBQ station and then choose which food line to join. 

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: Scott Brinson, Kevin Keyzer, Vincent Malvarosa, and Kelly Smith, all of Operations Support. Assistance was also provided by David Springer (Water Resources); Anthony Miller, Durk Tyson, and Charles Buck (Gas); John Worrell, Ken Wade, and Jerry Sneed (Electric); Mark Nash, Sam Ristow, Juan Herrera, and Dylan Evans (Facilities); Sam Evans, Gary Yarrell, and Celene Soles (Safety); and Latoria Barrett (Stores). Pitmaster Challenge judges were Maria Satira and Baylee Fox with the Greenville ENC Alliance along with Tim Roberson, owner of the Filling Station.  

Our Pitmaster Challenge teams included: Gas #1 led by Chris Rouse; Gas #2 led by Justin Oaks; Gas #3 led by Adam Wilson; Electric #1 led by Mike McGowan (first place); Electric #2 led by Mike Ashley; Electric #3 led Kevin Jones; Electric #4 led by Larry Chambliss (third place); Electric #5 led by Hunter Sparks (second place); Fleet led by Kenny McDonald; Water Treatment Plant led by Brooks Nobles; and Water Resources led by Joe Bronsink.  

Public Power and Natural Gas Week 
The annual Public Power and Public Natural Gas Week gives GUC a chance to celebrate all of the advantages that we, as a locally owned and operated utility, provide our community. 

Throughout the week, we shared the many benefits of being a public utility with customers and employees in a variety of ways. Public Information delivered cups and pens to all GUC employees throughout the week, and also ran print ads in The Daily Reflector. Customers received promotional balloons, cups, and pens at the Main Office and Express Office.  

Event goers at the Greenville Police Department’s annual National Night Out also received promotional giveaways and were able to check out one of our Gas trucks at the event’s touch-a-truck section. Our website and social media platforms also highlighted the advantages of our publicly-owned systems.