September 2026 Newsmakers
Service Awards
Jamie Braxton, Meter Supervisor, recently celebrated 30 years of service with GUC. In his current role, he is responsible for coordinating all meter reads across the GUC system, a significant undertaking that includes approximately 147,000 meters across 241 routes. Jamie carefully plans and outlines each reading section along with the routes scheduled to be completed within each cycle. He also coordinates high-bill investigations and other meter re-reads. Altogether, the Meter Section completes approximately 1.7 million meter reads each year. Jamie began his GUC career as a Meter Technician, a position he held for 10 years before becoming a Crew Leader and eventually Meter Supervisor. Over the course of his career, he has witnessed tremendous changes in the way meters are read, largely driven by advances in technology. “We used to walk 10 miles a day, and everything was on paper,” Jamie said. “Even when I started, a lot of houses didn’t have valid 911 addresses, so we had to use sequence books to determine locations. The first handhelds we used, that were very expensive for the time, weren’t even waterproof, so we had to put them in Ziploc bags on rainy days.” Jamie was also part of the team during GUC’s transition to Advanced Meter Reading (AMR). Now, roughly 20 years later, he is once again helping usher in the next generation of meter technology as a member of the team working to implement Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). Of all the experiences throughout his career, one that stands out above the rest is the 1999 flood. “The whole operation center was destroyed,” Jamie said. “I’ve never seen anything like it since. All the lights were out in Greenville, helicopters flying around, and sandbags were being put out.” The experience left Jamie with a perspective that has stayed with him throughout his career. “The ordeal taught me that everything can be replaced, because I’ve seen it all destroyed, and I’ve seen it all get rebuilt back better than ever.”
Cindy Burke / 20 Years
Cindy Burke, Support Analyst II, recently celebrated 20 years of service with GUC. Support Analysts provide oversight services and quality control of customer billing. Approximately 11,000 accounts are reviewed each month for billing exceptions within CCS. Cindy began at GUC as a cashier in 2006, and in 2016, she moved to Customer Relations as a Customer Contact Representative. In 2026, she became a Support Analyst II. Cindy said her work as a Customer Contact Representative prepared her for the oversight tasks that are required for an analyst position. In that position, she identified falsified leases and customers who shifted between offices to avoid payment. “I like what I do,” Cindy said. “I also like the people I work with. We take care of each other. It’s a family environment and you don’t get that in a lot of places.”
15 Years
Meredith Dent, Accountant Auditor III
Emily Garner, Public Information Specialist
Lou Norris, Secretary to the General Manager
5 Years
Jonathan Flynn, Meter Field Tech I (Service)
Promotions
Quentin Pool, Water Resources Construction Inspector I
Bradley Hardee, Tree Trimmer Crew Leader
Gary Sproat, Electric Engineer Assistant II
Nate Pate, Gas Systems Technician II
Accomplishments
Congratulations to the following Water Treatment Plant (WTP) employees on obtaining certifications from the NC Water Treatment Facility Operators Certification Board. WTP Operations Supervisor Ryan Gregory received his B-Distribution Certification. Leaton White Operator II received his A-Surface Certification.
WTP Operator III Jose Ricca and WTP Operator III Joseph Clark received their Class I Maintenance Technologist Certifications This voluntary 4-level program is administered by NC One Water and intended to increase knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform maintenance activities successfully according to current professional standards.
Congratulations to the following Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) employees on obtaining certifications from the NC Wastewater Operator Certification Board: Operator III Jason Harmon for Collections Grade I and Operator I James Clark for Biological Grade I. To obtain these certifications, employees must participate in 32-40 contact hours in Board-approved certification school. Exams are then administered by the state and must be passed to complete the process.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Systems O/M Technician III Tanner Butler on his marriage to Kaylee Moore.
Congratulations to Meter Field Technician II Nathan Scott and his wife on the birth of their son, Nathan Ray Scott III.
Congratulations to Meter Field Technician II Brandon Garris and his wife Haley on the birth of their daughter, Ava Lee Garris.
Congratulations to Systems Analyst II Adam Wainright and his wife Casey on the birth of their son, Charles Ethan Wainright.
Sympathies
We extend our sympathies to Water Systems O/M Technician I Issac Hodges and his family on the recent passing of his grandmother, Shirley Wiggins Overton.
Our condolences to Fleet Manager Scott Brinson and his family on the recent passing of his father, Wallace Allen Brinson.
Our condolences also go to Master Mechanic Matt Edwards and his family on the recent passing of his grandmother, Frances C. Edwards.
Our condolences to Electric Meter Specialist Dustin Jenkins and his family on the recent passing of his grandfather, J.D. Joyner. Mr. Joyner was also the father-in-law of Tree Trimmer Crew Leader Connie McGowan.
We extend our sympathies to the families of Control Room Operator I Sharon Camacho and Customer Contact Representative I Emily Camacho and their family on the recent passing of their father and grandfather, Johnny D. Webb.
We extend our condolences to the family of Jeffery “Jeff” Bland on his recent passing. Jeff retired from GUC as a Water Treatment Plant Maintenance Mechanic II in 2021 after more than 20 years of service.
Thank You's
Ms. Strickland called to compliment Gas Service Specialist Crew Leader Stephen Roebuck on the excellent customer service he provided when addressing an issue he saw in her backyard. She mentioned that it was a gas issue at her neighbor’s, but he still took the time to speak with her about a hole that had formed in her backyard. Despite the matter being a city issue, she expressed how “impressed” she was that he “took the time to listen and assist her with her concerns.”
Ms. Cannon called to recognize Gas Systems Crew Leader Roger Waterfield for the excellent customer service he provided when reconnecting her gas service after a routine meter change. She mentioned that he was “kind and professional” as he ensured her service and appliances were fully restored.
Ms. Bland called to recognize Customer Contact Representative I Renee Gibson for the excellent customer service she provided. She stated that Renee was “so sweet and helpful” and “very nice and pleasant to talk to.” Ms. Bland also mentioned that her interaction with Renee just brightened her day.
Wanda G. wrote a 5-star Google review of her energy audit with Energy Services Team Lead Jonathan Sergeant and Energy Services Specialist Lee Eakes. “This is a wonderful benefit of being a GUC customer and, best of all, there is no cost,” she wrote. “Special recognition goes to the two employees who conducted our audit. They were thorough, knowledgeable, and came prepared with information and resources specific to our home, rather than giving us generic information.”
New Hires
