Service Awards
George Fuller / 35 Years
George Fuller, Water Resources Systems Supervisor, supervises heavy construction crews that install, maintain, and repair water/sewer mains, as well as install water and sewer taps. He also supervises four valve and hydrant crews that repair and inspect all hydrants and valves. George joined GUC right out of high school, beginning his career as a General Utility Worker. Over the years, he was promoted to crew leader over construction and then to his current position in 2014. George said one of his goals was to become a supervisor within GUC and he is proud that he achieved it. He is also grateful for the lessons his former supervisor, Lee Johnson, taught him. “The greatest thing I learned from Lee was how to be patient when working with other people. You have to be patient, and he really helped me understand that,” said George. He has learned a lot over the years, but for him it is the relationships he has been able to foster that has given him the most joy and helping others. “I enjoy the people I work with. I also love to help customers solve water-related problems. I enjoy making someone’s day. I thank God and wife and kids for the support.”
Greg Lyons / 30 Years
Greg Lyons, Water Resources Systems Operations/Maintenance Crew Leader I (Sewer), supervises the Water Resources crew that inspects, cleans, and maintains the gravity and force sewer mains as well as air release valves on GUC's system. They can also do repairs as needed. He is responsible for the TV inspection program that helps our crews uncover leaks, broken pipes, and inflow and infiltration (I/I) in the sewer system. I/I is extraneous water that gets into the system. TV inspection uses a closed-circuit television camera to document any problems found during the inspection. They use a smoke testing method when larger areas are needing inspection. While this method is used less frequently, it involves blowing smoke through the lines and watching for smoke to show them possible problem areas. Greg also does sewer outfall inspections and helps maintain our sewer rights-of-way and manhole covers, and cleanout access. Greg and his crew work closely with the other Sewer O/M crews as needed. "The best thing about my job is coming to work with some of the friends I've made over the past 30 years," he said.
Billy Owens / 25 Years
Billy Owens, Lineman First Class, originally began his career at GUC in Water Resources as a Machinist, moving on to Electric’s Tree Trimming crew and then transferred to line work. He currently maintains overhead and underground electric lines. Billy enjoys his work as a Lineworker, highlighting the comradery among his colleagues as one of the highlights of his career. During his 25 years, his most rewarding work has been the mutual aid trips to help other utilities in need of restoration help following natural disasters. “I’ve seen a lot of damage on these trips, and it is good to be able to get their power back on. The people in storm-damaged areas are so grateful to us for helping, and it’s nice to be able to help them,” he said.
Cheryl Irwin / 20 Years
Cheryl Irwin, Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Chemist II, joined GUC 20 years ago after getting her BS in Biology from ECU and first working with a private lab in Greenville. She helps to ensure that we have safe drinking water from the Plant all the way to the tap. Our Chemists work closely with other WTP employees throughout the entire process. They take daily samples from the Plant and throughout the distribution system for bacterial, chemical, and physical analysis and send results to the NC Department of Environmental Quality. Many of these tests are required by law, but our Lab goes above what is required to ensure higher standards of water quality control. Cheryl also regularly assists with trouble calls from customers and volunteers at community events. She has the following state-issued certifications: A-Surface (the highest level), A-Distribution (the highest level), and C-Well. Cheryl received the 2021 North Carolina Water Operators Association’s Laboratory Analyst of the Year Award in appreciation of her outstanding work for GUC and service to the Association. “The work that we do is important, and that means a lot,” she said. “It’s also not always the same. We’re out in the field and in the lab – lots of variety to our days.”
Brad Burroughs / 20 Years
Brad Burroughs, Electric Engineering Assistant II, meets with all of our customers and contractors to work out what their electric service needs are, layout subdivisions and map work, complete inspections for old and new buildings, and communicates and coordinates project needs with Electric crews. “I do a lot of things in a day,” he said. Brad began his career at GUC in Water Resources and moved over to the Electric Department as a Tree Trimmer. He then moved up to Lineworker Second Class before becoming an Engineering Assistant. In the last 20 years, he said his most memorable career moment was while on a mutual aid trip in Massachusetts. “There was a family that had been without power for two or three weeks, and it was very cold. When we were able to get the power back, the little kids’ reactions were something that I will always remember. The main thing is helping the community, whether it’s in another area or right here. It’s what I am proud of.”
Kevin Lockamy / 20 Years
Kevin Lockamy, Mechanic Supervisor, supervises nine technicians in Fleet, prioritizes repair work, works with operational departments for scheduling repairs and maintenance, sources vendors for third-party repair needs, and sets achievable goals for his team. “I do like how fast- paced my job is. I also like keeping the relationships I’ve built throughout the Commission,” he said. As a supervisor, Kevin was able to watch a Tradesformers Pre-apprentice grow and become a full-time employee at GUC. “To see him come from the Tradesformers program and to see him grow and excel and become hired on as a mechanic is something I am proud of. I’ve watched him grow and excel in many ways; at the rate he’s going, he’ll reach his goal to be a Master Mechanic quickly and that is rewarding for me. But that is what is so good about working here, GUC will invest in their employees if you are willing to commit and grow. I am a product of that myself,” he said.
15 Years
David Bunch, Electric OH Crew Leader
Promotions
Taylor Nethercutt, IT Systems Analyst II
Accomplishments
Congratulations to the following Water Treatment Plant (WTP) employees on their recent state certifications. To obtain these certifications, employees attend board-approved schools where they study and are tested on a variety of topics including pumps, instrumentation, bacteriology, iron and manganese removal, corrosion control, lab procedures, disinfection, and more.
WTP Instrumentation Controls and Maintenance Crew Leader Wade Corbitt obtained his Ornamental Pesticide/Herbicide Applicators License through the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS). WTP Water Quality Specialists Luke Hagee and Tyler Palochak received their Right of Way Pesticide/Herbicide Applicators License through the NCDA&CS.
WTP Chemist Brooke Norton obtained her B-Well Certification from the NC Water Treatment Facility Operators Certification Board.
Davis Andrews, WTP Maintenance Instrument and Electric Technician, passed his C-Surface Apprentice Certification exam from the NC Water Treatment Facility Operators Certification Board. To obtain this certification, Davis attended a weeklong school where he studied and was tested on a variety of topics.
Zach Hamilton, WTP Operator III, passed his Maintenance Technologist Class 3 exam with NC One Water, while Matthew Clark, WTP Maintenance Mechanic III, passed his Class 2 exam.
Congratulations
Congratulations to WWTP Maintenance Mechanic I Kolby Chesson on his marriage to Morgan Wynn.
Condolences
Our condolences are extended to Maurice Ampley, Water Systems O/M Tech III, on the passing of his mother, Velina Ampley.
Our condolences are also extended to Nathan Johnson, Customer Contact Representative II, on the passing of his father, Nathan Manly Johnson III.
Thank You's
Mr. O’Doherty called to compliment Carlos Crespo, Gas Service Specialist II, and Jacob Roberti, Gas Service Specialist I, for providing excellent customer service while doing a routine meter change. He stated that Carlos and Jacob were “very pleasant and did a great job” along with giving them a thumbs up for their excellent customer service.
Ms. Katherine Parker called to compliment Demetrius Holloway, Cashier II, on his exceptional customer service. She said that due to rheumatoid arthritis, she had difficulty using the drive-thru to pay her bill. She said, “He came all the way outside and got my check and my bill. You just don’t run into people who are willing to go the extra mile for customer service. It made my day, and he is going above and beyond for the customer.”
Ms. Fisher called to compliment Tree Trimmer Crew Leader Matt McLawhorn along with Tree Trimmers Taylor Braxton, Josh Greer, Chase Hudson, and Bryce Henderson for being so kind and respectful of her yard while doing work near her house. She said she didn’t have the chance to thank them before they left but wanted to make sure they knew they “did a great job and she really appreciated them.”
New Hires
