Service Awards
Freddie Martin / 35 Years
Freddie Martin, Natural Gas Supply Officer, is celebrating 35 years of service with GUC this month. He began his career at GUC in Water Resources as the Industrial Service Coordinator, working with key accounts’ water and wastewater needs, including the pre-treatment program. He worked in Water Resources for 17 years before making a move into the Gas Department as the Natural Gas Supply Officer. In his office, there are two computer screens that monitor the volatile natural gas market. Freddie deciphers patterns in the market and closely monitors weather forecasts to predict customer demand. Every day, he dives into spreadsheets, analyzing data to pinpoint the optimal moment to lock in gas prices for industrial clients. He also keeps a close eye on GUC’s pricing trends. “I enjoy what I do,” said Freddie. “It’s a lot of spreadsheets and a lot of analysis. My background in science and business work hand in hand to help me hedge a volatile commodity.” One of Freddie’s proudest achievements is helping GUC navigate the unpredictable natural gas market. The expansion of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Plant, he explained, gives GUC the ability to stabilize supply and pricing — especially during peak demand periods. His strategic hedging initiatives have saved the company significant money. “We saved huge amounts by implementing the LNG Plant and advising our industrial customers to switch to alternative energy sources during peak times,” he said. “The natural gas market is extremely volatile, and we’ve had to get creative.” After 35 years with GUC, Freddie reflects on his career with gratitude. “This is a great place to work. I love Eastern North Carolina, and I’m happy to call Greenville home. GUC has been good to me.”
Tonya Roebuck / 30 Years
Tonya Roebuck is celebrating 30 years of service with GUC this month. Currently a Customer Relations Team Lead, she answers customer calls, sees customers in-person, and oftentimes takes escalated phone calls. She fills in for her supervisor when needed and oversees the day-to-day work at the Express Office on Greenville Boulevard. Tonya began her career at GUC as a receptionist in the former Main Office (where City Hall is now). Working at GUC is a family tradition for Tonya, which is among the reasons she put down her roots here 30 years ago. Her granddaddy retired from GUC, and she remembers as a child bringing him supper at Station One. “I love what I do,” she said. “I love my job, and I love helping people.” Her proudest accomplishment is working in Customer Relations her entire career at GUC. “Serving and helping the people of Pitt County for the past 30 years has been rewarding. I have enjoyed watching GUC grow and implement new operations along the way,” she said. It was the employees’ response to the flooding of Hurricane Floyd that is the most memorable time for her thus far. While Tonya only experienced some minor flooding around her home, other employees experienced catastrophic loss. “Employees lost their homes and vehicles, this was a really emotional time for GUC, and the family dynamic that exists here played an important role. While we were working to get the lights on, we were also supporting each other,” she said.
Charlie Buck / 20 Years
Charlie Buck, Meter Field Tech III, is celebrating 20 years of service at GUC this month. In his role, he verifies that the correct meters have been installed with a good routing sequence. “I am basically quality control,” Charlie said. Charlie began as a Meter Field Tech in 2005. In 2019, he said he was needing a change and moved over to the Wastewater Treatment Plan as an Operator. He spent a few years there until returning to Meter. “I enjoy being out on the road,” Charlie said. “It’s been a good place to work.” Throughout his time at GUC, he has been on the WWTP Smooth Operator competition team and was actively involved with the former GUC bowling and softball leagues.
15 Years
Mashan Arthur, Staff Support Specialist III
Lin Bunting, Underground Electric Crew Leader
10 Years
Steve Hawley, Communications Manager/PIO
Promotions
Will James, Buyer II
Sympathies
Our Condolences go to the Director of Human Resources Richie Shreves, on the passing of her mother Brenda Watkins.
Our condolences are extended to Cynthia Langley, Accountant Auditor IV, on the passing of her mother, Linda Hope Dillon.
Our condolences are also extended to Tarsha Roach, Collections Supervisor, on the passing of her father, Dr. Aaron Cotton.
Our sympathies go to the family of Mr. Lester Roach on his passing. Mr. Roach retired from GUC in 2012 after 30 years of service in the Water Resources Department.
Thank You's
Mr. Keough sent in a “bravo” for GUC and wanted us to know that we continue to do a “great job” from where he stands. He mentioned how he has lived here for 45 years and GUC employees always seem to “put the customer first.” Whether it has to do with planning future energy projects, keeping prices low and steady, or carrying out conservation efforts like the Community Solar Farm. He says GUC is “just good people doing a great job.”
Thank you to Gas Systems Crew Leader I Tony Richards and Gas Systems Technician II Spencer Dickerson for springing into action when they witnessed a car at a busy intersection with smoke under the hood and fire flaring underneath the vehicle. They were able to get the driver to pull over. Tony asked the driver to open the hood to find flames coming from the engine. Tony and Spencer then called 911 and put the fire out with a fire extinguisher from their GUC truck.
Mr. Monico, President of the Cypress Glenn Sierra Club, gave many thanks to Director of Customer Relations, Scott Mullis, for coming to their meeting to talk about renewable energy and the new community solar farm. He mentioned how Scott led “an excellent discussion” and that the questions asked and comments made helped people “learn things and adjust their thinking.” He also said that GUC will for sure be asked back “to resume the discussion, and to continue expanding understanding and perceptions.”
Mr. Dartt called to commend Gas Systems Crew Leader I Paul Bunch and Gas Systems Technicians Austin Barrow, Mickey Dawson, Nate Pate, Stephen Roebuck, and Ramsey Covington for their excellent customer service while repairing a gas leak at his residence. He also expressed appreciation to Gas Systems Supervisor Parham Stanley for his communication and oversight of the project. Mr. Dartt stated that the entire team did an outstanding job and wanted to personally thank them for their excellent customer service.
Ms. Gay called to compliment Carlos Crespo, Gas Service Specialist II and Carter Rochelle, Gas Service Specialist I for providing excellent customer service while investigating a possible gas leak at her residence. She stated that both of them were “thorough and knowledgeable” when it came to performing their duties. She also expressed her appreciation for how clearly, they explained what was going on and how comfortable they made her feel, assuring her there was no gas leak.
New Hires
