February 2025 Newsmakers

Service Awards

Join us in congratulating these employees on their recent work anniversary milestones!

Toby Corey / 35 Years
Toby Corey, Maintenance Supervisor at the Water Treatment Plant (WTP), manages the highly skilled team of employees who keep all the instrumentation and equipment in top working order and perform any necessary mechanical repairs. They also play a large role in keeping a lot of projects in-house versus contracting out. They work closely with the lab and operations staff to ensure that the water treatment process runs smoothly around the clock. Toby and his team are certified through the NC American Water Works Association and Water Environment Association’s Maintenance Technologist Certification program and are also involved in several annual training classes designed to give them a better understanding of both the hardware and software of the Plant’s control systems. This allows them to troubleshoot problems that arise. “Our team installed a Process Monitoring Center which has allowed us to centralize and update plant instrumentation that had previously been scattered throughout the plant in multiple locations,” said Toby when asked about an accomplishment that stands out for him. “It was a total team effort that took months from initial concept till completion. Now, I enjoy watching new employees develop professionally as they learn.”

Tammy Forrest / 25 Years 
Tammy Forrest, Customer Relations Support Analyst III, started her GUC career as a Cashier in 2000 and moved to the Revenue Protection section of the Customer Relations Department in 2010. Along with collecting revenue and bad debt, which includes forwarding debts to NC Debt Collectors, Tammy investigates reports of meter tampering. This involves billing meter tampering fees, illegal usage, and back bills along with supporting our Legal staff with items they need for addressing utility theft and worthless check cases in criminal court. Tammy is a board member of the North Carolina/South Carolina Revenue Protection Council and helps plan and present at their annual conference – one that utilities from many states attend. “I love to work with all the different departments at GUC, getting to know everyone and learning more about what they do,” said Tammy. She also loves the variety of work and that every day is different. Tammy is proud of her sons CJ and Hunter, both linemen at GUC, along with her husband, James Forrest. Jr., an Underground Electric Crew Leader, for travelling and staying safe during the hurricane season mutual aid trips.  

Eric Phillips / 25 Years 
Eric Phillips, Gas Compliance Coordinator, ensures that our natural gas services are safe, reliable, economical, and in compliance with federal and state regulations. Before becoming GUC’s first Gas Compliance Coordinator, he served 12 years at the GUC Help Desk in the IT Department. Eric has since laid the foundation for our in-house compliance coordination system, developing strong relationships with state inspectors, and reviewing and updating the Distribution Integrity Management Program and the Gas Emergency Plan. He analyzes the gas system inspection data to make sure our system is safe and critically reviews strategies to maintain system integrity. He also plays a critical role in pipeline public awareness initiatives. Eric remains ahead of changing regulations and inspection requirements, consistently reviewing plans, procedures, and information and providing creative solutions to potential problems. As a result, the Gas Department has had no state or federal compliance violations. “Working in utilities is cool. I am serving my community by maintaining a safe and efficient gas system,” he said.

15 Years

Robert Pilgreen, Systems O/M Technician II

Promotions

Allen Watkins, IT Infrastructure Manager
Matt Board, Lineworker First Class
Matthew Worthington, WR Systems O/M Technician III
Grey Elliott, WWTP Maintenance Mechanic II
Bobby Lewis, Lineworker Second Class
Jasmine Phillips, WWTP Chemist II
Mandy Coldren, Customer Relations Team Lead
Corey Mays, WTP Operator III
Cameron Cook, Water Systems O/M Technician III
Dylan Clark, Systems O/M Technician III
Carlos Crespo, Gas Service Specialist II

Transfers

Cathy McGowan, Staff Support Specialist II
Jeff Upright, Control Room Operator I
Carl Smith, Gas Systems Engineer
Dillon Wade, Gas Distribution Engineer

Accomplishments

Assistant Director of Gas Durk Tyson was recently elected to serve on the North Carolina 811 (NC 811) Board of Directors. GUC is a charter member of the organization, which started in 1978. NC 811 is a non-profit organization funded by its member facilities. They take location information from anyone engaged in excavation activities. Durk will serve the remaining term of GUC’s Gas Planning Engineer Charles Buck, who recently retired.

Condolences

Our condolences go to WTP Maintenance and Electrician Tech Davis Andrews and his family on the passing of his grandmother, Linda Carolyn Keel Andrews.

Our condolences to WTP Operator Sharon Daughtridge and her family on the passing of her brother, Neal Wheeler.

Our condolences to Water Resources Engineering Coordinator Clay Johnston and his family on the passing of his mother, Nancy Porter Leggett.

Thank You's

Staff Support Specialist I, Valerie Dunn and Customer Contact Representative, Robin Wyrick were recently complimented by an anonymous customer who said that Valerie and Robin were “kind and quick” and that they were “very pleased with their service.”

Ms. Gooding called to compliment Gas Systems Technician Logan Smith and Gas Service Specialists Jacob Roberti and Carlos Crespo for responding to her after-hours call. Ms. Gooding said Logan was “patient, kind, and knew exactly what he was doing,” and that Jacob and Carlos were “prompt for the appointment and very polite and thorough.” She felt that all went above and beyond and were exceptional GUC employees.

Ms. Hill called to compliment Customer Contact Representative Jean Ricks for her help over the phone. She said Jean was “patient and answered all questions with care,” and that Jean really took her time with the phone call.

A customer left a card complimenting Customer Contact Representative Danesha Williams for being “very professional and informative.”