Service Awards
Tracy Colville / 35 Years
Tracy Colville, Water Resources Operations/Maintenance Crew Leader I (Sewer), celebrated 30 years of service with Greenville Utilities recently. Beginning as a General Utility Worker in 1995, he has grown in his career to now lead a crew that handles all sewer service calls and leaks, water and sewer repairs, troubleshoots water leaks, and performs routine maintenance on the system. In the “trouble truck,” Tracy’s crew are often the first responders to the calls that the Water Resources Department gets when there is an issue. Tracy said each service award has been a proud moment for him. “My proudest moment is when I got my 30 years, but it was also when I got my five years, and then my 10 years and my 20 years, too.” He said Greenville Utilities is a good place to work, not only for the employee benefits, but it is also the people he works with each day. “I enjoy the people I am around. I enjoy what I do,” he said. Tracy said he is known for being able to shoot a gopher wire with incredible accuracy and precision while working on construction. “I don’t know if it is luck or skill, but I have a lot of confidence with being able to shoot a gopher accurately after all these years.” The moment that stands out the most in his 30 years here was meeting his wife, Carol Colville (Fleet). “I met my wife through working at GUC, she was working in Fleet at the time, she still is. I would say that would have to be the biggest thing for me working here the last 30 years.”
Chris Rouse / 25 Years
Chris Rouse, Gas Systems Crew Leader II, recently celebrated 25 years of service with Greenville Utilities. Chris began his career in 2000 as a Machine Operator in Water Resources and four years later he came to the Gas Department, finding his niche in construction. Currently, he oversees a five-man construction crew where they install and repair large mains. Chris said when he first started out at GUC he wasn’t sure about how he wanted his career to progress, but once he got into Gas Systems construction, he found where he wanted to go. “I decided this is the type of work I wanted to do and set in my mind that I was going to be a Crew Leader II.” Once his decision was made, he took strategic steps to get where he wanted to be. Chris went to Pitt Community College and received his Basic Welding Certification and then passed the Welding Certification for GUC to become a Certified Welder. He was a part of the first graduating iLead class at GUC. “I did everything I could do to prepare, so becoming a Crew Leader II is my proudest accomplishment here.” Chris said after all these years he still enjoys coming to work. “GUC has been good to me. There is room to move up in the company, you just have to work hard and put in the time. I enjoy coming to work every day. The guys here are like a second family to me. Having a good crew, like I have now, makes my job easier. They take a lot of stress off and so does having a good supervisor, like I have.”
Jason Harmon / 20 Years
Jason Harmon, WWTP Operator II, celebrated 20 years of service with Greenville Utilities recently. Jason began his career at GUC in the Electric Department as a Meter Technician I and moved up to an Electric Meter Specialist. He spent 17 years in Meter before he moved to the WWTP to become an Operator. In his role as an Operator, he monitors every aspect of the wastewater treatment process from the 46 pump stations to the millions of gallons of wastewater that pour into the Plant using SCADA and in-person oversight. His time as an Operator has given him the opportunity to grow in the profession. His proudest accomplishment was achieving all 4 of his NC Operator Program Biological Wastewater Certifications in under three years without having to retake any of the exams. "The last test was in Williamston, and the pass rate for the exams are historically low on the first try according to the state. I was proud to be able to get achieve my grade 4 certification early and without having to retake any certification exams.” While that is Jason’s proudest career accomplishment, his most memorable moment was when he stepped outside of his comfort zone during his time in iLead. “We had to get up in front of the board meetings to do a presentation. I am not one to talk in front of people, but I was able to give my part of the presentation with the support of the group I was part of for our project.” Jason said GUC is a great place to work. “In 20 years, I have seen lots of changes and it’s still a great place to work. I have been lucky to work with really great people in different departments and blessed to create some great relationships over the years. I can honestly say this company is full of really good people and that is what makes it a really good place to work.”
15 Years
Jarrett McGalliard, WR Engineering Support Manager
10 Years
Matt Board, Lineworker Second Class
Corbin Congleton, WR Systems O/M Crew Leader I
Justin Elks, WWTP Maintenance Supervisor
Carolyn Jones, Staff Support Specialist I
Marcus Pippins, WR Systems O/M Crew Leader I
Emily Smith, Staff Support Specialist I
Kyle Veneski, WR Systems O/M Crew Leader I
Blake Wingate, Electric SCADA Communications Technician II
Will Spencer, Substation/Controls Engineering Assistant
Promotions
Colby Boyd, WR Systems O/M Technician III
Paige Wallace, GMO Staff Support Specialist III
Mildred Betancourth Zuniga, WTP Operator III
Brandon Cox, WTP Operator III
Jordan Bradshaw, Lineworker Second Class
Savanna Hardee, WR Staff Support Specialist II
Rob Sealey, Control Room Operator III
Dustin Cayton, Electric Engineer Assistant II
Leaton White, WTP Operator II
Transfers
Isaiah Edwards, Meter Field Technician I
Aaron Lyons, Lineworker Third Class
Accomplishments
Please join us in congratulating the following Water Treatment Plant (WTP) employees on obtaining certifications from the NC Water Treatment Facility Operators Certification Board. Operator II Brandon Cox received his A-Surface Certification. Brad Dunn, Operator II, received his A-Well Certification. Wade Corbitt, Maintenance Crew Leader, received his B-Well Certification. Leaton White, Operator I, and Jay Simmons, Operator II, received their C-Well Certification. WTP Operator III Corey Mays received his B-Distribution Certification.
To obtain these certifications, employees attended a weeklong school where they studied and were tested on a variety of topics including pumps, instrumentation, bacteriology, iron and manganese removal, corrosion control, lab procedures, disinfection, and more.
Thank You's
Ms. Knight called in to the Public Information Office to request Cease the Grease lids for herself and daughter for the holiday cooking season and to thank the team, Communication Specialists Erin Walton and Melinda Sampson, who puts together the customer Connections newsletter. She said, “Thank you for this Cease the Grease information. It really helps me talk to my grandkids about how they can take care of their plumbing. Instead of me just saying it, I can show them the lids.”
Ms. Parmelee recently gave a heartfelt shoutout on social media to Water Resources Systems O/M Crew Leader I Josh Setzer and Systems O/M Technicians David McKeel, Joshua Dilda, Dylan Morris, and Tanner Butler for their kindness toward her dog, Betty. She shared, “They were fixing a valve next door, and Betty started barking the second we walked out. The crew shut off their excavator so she could go to the bathroom without getting stressed. They couldn’t have been more patient and kind. You’ve gotta love having good people in our community.”
Mr. Glenn emailed Tony Cannon, General Manager/CEO, to compliment Tanner Everett, Gas Engineering Assistant I, for his hard work moving a gas line. He stated that Tanner came out, assessed the situation, and was able to get the gas line moved in a few days. Mr. Glenn was also appreciative of Tanner following up after the work was completed.
Ms. Danielle Farmer called to compliment Gas Service Specialist I Jacob Roberti for the customer service he provided while performing a leak investigation at her home. She said that he was very reassuring – he checked and rechecked her appliances and tested things multiple times. “He was what customer service should be,” she said.
New Hires
Materials Technician I
