Ryan Hardee, Underground Electric Distribution Supervisor, has retired after 34 years of service in the Electric Department. Ryan started out at Greenville Utilities as a part-time Tree Trimmer, working his way to his current role (that he started in 2016) by way of several roles including Overhead Lineworker and Underground Crew Leader.  

As Underground Distribution Supervisor, Ryan managed the underground crews in the Electric Department. These crews install, replace, and maintain underground electric lines and transformers. This includes main feeder lines and secondary services for commercial, industrial, and residential customers. Ryan also had a troubleshooter crew that rotated with other trouble crews in the Electric Department on a rotation to provide GUC’s 24/7 response to electric system emergencies. During regular hours, this crew assists the others with construction, maintenance, and repair.  

In addition to his GUC responsibilities, Ryan was active within the state and national public power industry through the North Carolina Association of Municipal Electric Systems (NCAMES), ElectriCities of North Carolina, and the American Public Power Association (APPA). Through these groups, Ryan helped with the various line schools, lineworker rodeos, and mutual aid trips that assisted other utilities in the aftermath of natural disasters. 

His most recent mutual aid trips, however, looked a little different. In 2022 and 2023, he went with our crews to Navajo Nation to assist APPA with its Light Up Navajo project that is bringing electric services to residents for the first time. The Navajo Nation covers 27,000 square miles of service area that makes providing electricity no small task. The distance between the homes and the sheer size of the area makes it difficult to get families the necessities that many U.S. households take for granted. 

"I will 100% miss the people I’ve worked with,” said Ryan. “There are some good people who work here and without them, it would be tough.” 

In retirement, Ryan looks forward to spending more time with his family as well as hunting and fishing. He and his wife of 18 years, Jennifer, have two children. Addison, 17, is a junior at Ayden-Grifton High School and recently began playing tennis after years of playing softball. Their son, Reed, is 13 and attends Ayden Middle School. He is on a travel baseball team and active in STEM-related competitions through the Technology Student Association.  

Ryan, we wish you the very best of luck in retirement. You will be missed!