March 2026 Newsmakers

Service Awards 

Shannon Oakley / 30 Years
Customer Relations Support Analyst III Shannon Oakley is celebrating 30 years with GUC. She is a part of the “fixers” team that assists in processing bill adjustments, investigating bill inquiries, and overall quality control and troubleshooting of customer billing. Shannon began her GUC career as a Cashier in the Finance Department and remained there for 10 years.  She then joined Customer Relations as a Customer Contact Representative before moving to her current role in 2023. During the first part of her time in Customer Relations, she worked in the Credit and Collections Section, assisting customers with pay plans, pay arrangements, and a variety of other things. She also worked with the Pitt County Department of Social Services, local groups, and churches to help our customers pay their utility bills during hard times. She most notably worked on the Core Teams that implemented our Customer Care & Billing and Customer Cloud Service systems. All of that experience brought Shannon to her current role, where she continues to assist with behind-the-scenes updates and testing the systems. She also works closely with IT Systems Analysts creating reports for Customer Relations, Billing, and Revenue Protection. “I reflect positively on my journey here at GUC. It has provided me with meaningful opportunities that have helped me grow and develop,” she said. Shannon considers the opportunity to contribute to major projects surrounding the billing systems as one of her greatest accomplishments. “I have experienced a lot of professional and personal growth. I take a lot of pride in contributing to these systems that serve so many customers.” Shannon feels it is important to reflect on one’s journey at GUC, value the relationships you have built, and respect your fellow colleagues to build lasting professional connections.

Tony Cannon / 20 Years
General Manager/CEO Tony Cannon recently celebrated 20 years of service with GUC. Tony leads roughly 500 employees in nine departments, which include Administration, Finance, Operations Support, IT, HR, Customer Relations, Electric, Gas, and Water Resources. He also oversees the governance side of GUC, which includes close collaboration with our 8-member Board of Commissioners and collaborative efforts with other community partners.

Tony is a national leader in the utility industry, currently serving as a Commissioner for the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency. He previously served on the Board of Directors for ElectriCities of North Carolina and was Past Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Public Power Association. He is a current member of the American Public Gas Association, American Water Works Association, and Water Environment Federation.

While his duties are extensive, he credits the success of GUC to the hard work, dedication, and expertise of its employees. “I am most proud of the team that we have put together and the employees at the Commission,” he said. “Our employees are strong and we are focused.” He said he can see how much employees are invested in the GUC mission, especially when new Commissioners take a tour of all the facilities and speak to all the departments during their orientation process. “One of the most rewarding times I have – besides meeting employees – is taking Commissioners on the tours. Every one of the employees are passionate about their work, and that speaks volumes to me.”

Tony became the Chief Operating Officer at GUC in 2006 after being recruited from the Greer Commission of Public Works in South Carolina. He became the General Manager/CEO in 2012. He said when he arrived, GUC already had an impeccable reputation in the community. “This was a good organization when I came, and our job is to make it better before we leave. Improving an already excellent organization can be more challenging than course correcting a struggling one. I think we are doing that and moving in the right direction,” he said. Tony also said that the importance of providing safe, reliable utility service is the cornerstone of development and growth for the community, which is why the value of having such an excellent slate of employees has a lasting impact on the Greater Greenville area. Looking toward the future, a main objective for Tony is to ensure that GUC remains strong after he retires. “I want to make sure it is a seamless transition, and our customers don’t notice the difference between one leader to the next,” he said.

5 Years 

Wyatt Blackburn, Substation Const/Maintenance Electrician II 

Promotions 

Ridge Bailey, Lineworker Second Class 
Lee Eakes, Energy Services Specialist 
Doug Boone, Electric Distribution Engineer 
Branson Rogers, Gas Systems Engineer 
Tripp Morgan, WTP Instrumentation Controls and Maintenance Crew Leader 
Kyle Bird, WR Systems Operations/Maintenance Crew Leader I (Sewer) 
Brian Baker, Underground Electric Crew Leader 
Josh Harrell, Gas Systems Technician IV 
Todd Cannon, Director of Information Technology

Accomplishments 

Congratulations to Tyler Palochak, Water Quality Specialist II, on receiving his Master of Science degree in geology from East Carolina University.  

Please join us in congratulating the following Water Treatment Plant (WTP) employees on obtaining certifications from the NC Water Treatment Facility Operators Certification Board. Jose Ricca, Operator III, and Stormi Amendt, Chemist II, received their A-Well Certifications. Cheryl Irwin, Chemist II, received her B-Well Certification. Mildrelena Betancourth, Operator III, received her C-Distribution Certification. 

To obtain these certifications, employees attend a weeklong school 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. 

Congratulations

Congratulations to WTP Maintenance Mechanic IIII Matthew Clark, and his wife, on the birth of their daughter, Delaney Grace.

Condolences 

Our deepest condolences to Linwood Smith, Water Resources Systems O/M Crew Leader II (Sewer), on the passing of his father, Linwood Allen Smith, Sr.

New Hires