September/October 2026 Featured Employee: Jerry Sneed

Jerry Sneed’s life is a portrait of resilience that only hardship and grief can create. He laughs easily and loves a good joke.  

Whatever he does – whether that be cornhole tournaments, bowling, or football – he does it the best he can.  

In part, he has always had an innate sense of humor, empathy, and zest for life, but over the years, he has honed and used those qualities out of necessity. Jerry was born with an undeveloped optic nerve in his left eye, making it blind.  He never allowed that to become a crutch, excuse, or hinderance to doing the things he wanted to do. 

Growing up on the Pamlico River, he fished and was an athlete, playing as a point guard in basketball, a switch hitter in baseball, and tight end and backup quarterback in high school football.  

At 12 years old, he crashed while racing go carts. It was an accident that was nearly fatal and put him in a coma. 

“I had to learn how to walk again,” Jerry said matter-of-factly. “You never know what will happen in a day. You really don’t know.” 

As an adult, Jerry moved up to New Jersey, then back to North Carolina where he worked in New Bern. 

In 2003, Jerry’s world changed. His 5-year-old son, DJ, passed away in a car accident.  

As Jerry drove down U.S. 264 with his baby daughter, Kayla, wife, Jennifer, and DJ, they were hit almost head on at a high rate of speed. The impact caused extensive injuries to Jerry and his wife. Their infant daughter, thankfully, sustained only minor injuries due to the car seat she was buckled into.  

Jerry and his wife’s physical recovery was a long process, but the emotional recovery was even longer and, to this day, remains and will always be incomplete.  

Jerry said the loss of his son changed him, shifting his priorities in life and how he sees the world and other people. 

Remarkably, the following year, his wife would have another child. As they were driving down US 264 in a snowstorm on their way to the hospital in Greenville from Washington, on the same road they lost their son, Jerry’s wife went into active labor. 

He said there were no ambulances that could get to them because of where they were and the weather conditions. He stopped in the middle of the empty highway while on the phone with a 911 dispatcher. His wife knew the baby was coming.  

At 1 a.m., the dispatcher told him he would have to deliver his daughter. So, he did.  

“When she was born, she wouldn’t cry,” Jerry said. “But there was a Pactolus EMS service call that got canceled and they were close by and found us. My daughter was fine.” 

Baby Madison was born five miles away from the wreck that took their son. She was coined the “snow angel” by local and national media outlets. 

“You never really know what someone else has gone through,” he said. 

Because of the ups and downs his life dealt him, Jerry has an intuitive sense in how to approach people. He understands that you can never tell what a person has lived through. This skill served him well as a Meter Technician, one of his first positions at Greenville Utilities around 11 years ago. Customer interactions were an everyday occurrence, and his ability to approach people, especially on days when services had to be stopped, showcased his ability to speak to people with empathy, understanding, and a touch of his trademark humor.   

He is now in the Meter Field Technician II position where he removes and replaces water meters and repairs gas meters to go back into the field. He doesn’t interact with customers as much now, but his approach to people and situations remains the same.   

“You’ve got to know how to talk to people,” Jerry said. “Anybody can always come and ask me questions, I am glad to help. I like the place and the people I work with. I spend more time here than I do at home.” 

Jerry also has a 35-year-old son, Daniel, two daughters, Kayla, 25, and, Madison, 21. He’s been married to Jennifer for 29 years.  

What is a fun fact you’d like to share about yourself?
Jerry is an American Cornhole League competitor and is ranked 3rd in North Carolina. He also makes cornhole bags that he ships across the world, with some being sent all the way to Germany.  

What did you want to be when you were younger?
I wanted to go into the military but couldn’t because of my eye. I was big into sports and was a volunteer firefighter.  

What motivates you to work hard?
I work hard for my family.  

Have you ever had a nickname?
Sneaky Sneed is on my jersey when I go compete in cornhole competitions.  

Who is your favorite band or singer?
AC/DC is my favorite band, but I listen to everything. 

What have been your favorite travel destinations?
I like cruises. I will be going to Bermuda in May. 

What would you do if you won the lottery?
I would buy enough land to put my entire family on it. I would keep it in the family. 

Do you collect anything or have any hobbies?
Fishing on the Pamlico River. 

Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Morning. 

Any advice on turning a bad day into a good day?
I always think that there is someone who has it worse. You just have to take it a day at a time. 

What’s your favorite thing to do when not at work?
On Mondays and Thursdays, I go to Warehouse Cornhole on Dickinson Avenue. On Thursdays there is a blind draw and competition.  

What is at the top of your bucket list?
I want to travel overseas to Europe.  

What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Put it back where you found it. Everything has its place.  

What is one thing that instantly makes your day better?
Seeing my grandchildren. I have seven. 

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
Be wiser. I know a little more than I did back then. If you are going to be dumb, you better be tough.