Service Awards
Steve Hedgepeth / 35 years
Steve Hedgepeth, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III, is celebrating 35 years of service at GUC this month. Steve oversees the wastewater treatment plant processes from the 46 pump stations across the county to the operations on the plant. He, along with other operators are the eyes and ears of the plant. He monitors SCADA and reports to maintenance any issues that arise. Steve started as a general utility worker at GUC and moved on to become the I & I inspection crew leader until he landed in his current role as WWTP Operator III. A lot has changed over the years, including working in a more automated environment. “Everything is becoming more SCADA oriented,” he said. “There is a lot of stuff that we used to have to do manually that we can do remote now. It’s a more operator-friendly time. Used to, if you had to divert flow, you had to open and close valves manually.” Steve enjoys his work at the WWTP, citing the people he works with and supervisors as one of the reasons he has been so loyal to the job. “I feel like if I was going to retire, I’d probably have find something to do. I don’t mind coming to work. I like what I do, and I like the people I work with and it’s because of the bosses and supervision that I have been lucky enough to have. I have had some good supervisors.”
Chris Evans / 25 years
Chris Evans, Materials Manager, is celebrating 25 years of service at GUC this month. His career at GUC has been a full circle experience. He began as a Material Technician in 2000, later transferring to the Electric Department where he did work in tree trimming, maintenance, construction, and service work, then returning to Materials Management as Assistant Manager before becoming Manager in 2020. In his role, he purchases materials and supplies for the operating departments. “We house around $19 million in inventory which is over 2,500 stock items to ensure the material is available for routine work as well as emergency and storm work,” he said. Chris said that his 15 years of experience in the field gave him a better understanding of what materials are needed, when they are needed, and to what volume. After the move to the Operations Center, Materials Management was revamped, which was a challenge because COVID hit not long after and building the inventory to what it is today became a daunting task. “We have a robust inventory now,” Chris said. “Other municipalities are amazed at our level of inventory” Chris also said that over the years he was able to learn and grow professionally but highlights the people he has worked with as one of the best parts of his job. “It’s a great place to work. It is the people you work next to each and every day,” he said.
15 Years
David Guy, Lineworker First Class
10 Years
Steven Briley, Lineworker First Class
5 Years
Billy Colon, Damage Prevention Technician II
Taylor Nethercutt, IT Systems Analyst I
Promotions
Dontae Thomas, Damage Prevention Technician II
Wyatt Blackburn, Substation Construction/Maintenance Electrician II
Patrick Smith, WR Systems O/M Technician III
Cody Morris, WR Systems O/M Crew Leader I
Justin Oakes, Gas Systems Technician IV
Hayden Hardy, Systems O/M Technician III
Accomplishments
WTP Laboratory Manager Chad Flannagan was named President of the North Carolina Waterworks Operators Association at the Annual Business Meeting and Awards Luncheon on September 24th. He will serve a two-year term followed by a two-year term as past president. Congratulations Chad and good luck with this new position within the Association!
Congratulations
Congratulations to WWTP Laboratory Pretreatment Manager JoEllen Gay on the birth of her grandson, James Walker Rose.
Condolences
Our sympathies are extended to Meter Field Technician II Charlie Johnson on the recent passing of his father, Lee Robinson. Mr. Johnson was a retiree of the Water Resources Department.
New Hires
