Service Awards

Freddie Martin / 30 Years

Natural Gas Supply Officer Freddie Martin recently celebrated 30 years of service with GUC. He was the Industrial Service Coordinator in Water Resources for seventeen years before moving to the Gas Department where he holds his current title. As our Natural Gas Supply Officer, he is responsible for GUC’s natural gas purchasing. Like most utilities, GUC does not own a natural gas supply; we purchase natural gas on the open market. Freddie's goal is to ensure that we maintain a stable and competitive rate for our natural gas customers. His main responsibilities include buying natural gas and liquefied natural gas for GUC, scheduling deliveries on the Transcontinental Interstate Pipeline and the Piedmont Natural Gas Intrastate Pipeline, and scheduling deliveries for liquefied natural gas (LNG) to be trucked into our LNG Plant.  The purchasing policy for GUC allows for long-term planning, with Freddie buying natural gas months into the future when prices are favorable. "I really like analyzing the market to determine opportune times to purchase our gas," Freddie said. "I also enjoy working with our large industrial customers to provide their natural gas supply needs. GUC has been a great place to work for 30 years." 

Ryan Hardee / 30 Years

Ryan Hardee, Underground Electric Distribution Supervisor, recently celebrated 30 years of service with Greenville Utilities. Ryan began his career with GUC as a Tree Trimmer, and has since been in several other positions, including Overhead Lineworker and Underground Construction Crew Leader. In his current role, he manages five crews that include Underground and Overhead Lineworkers. These crews handle everything from underground and overhead service and maintenance to new construction projects and troubleshooting. What Ryan loves most about his job at GUC is being outdoors while creatively collaborating with crews and engineers on various projects. And he says that even though his title has changed over the years, he hasn't forgotten his roots or the sacrifices the crews make each and every day to keep the lights on. "The guys I work with are the backbone. Without them, it would be tough. They take pride in their work and that means a heck of a lot," Ryan said.

Tara Dixon / 25 Years

Customer Contact Representative II (CCR) Tara Dixon recently celebrated 25 years of service with GUC. She began her career as a Cashier and moved to Customer Relations in 2004. She was promoted to a Customer Contact Representative II in September 2016. Tara works in most areas of Customer Relations including answering phones in the Call Center, answering customer questions through our website chat, helping walk-in customers, processing requests that come in through the website and faxes, and processing new builder requests. “I enjoy being able to do a variety of things in my job; it keeps it interesting,” said Tara. “It’s also been nice to build relationships with my co-workers and customers over the years.” 

William Cooley / 25 Years

Master Mechanic William Cooley recently celebrated 25 years of service with GUC. William works in the Garage and is part of the team responsible for the routine maintenance and servicing of GUC’s fleet of approximately 270 vehicles and 283 pieces of equipment, which also includes “in-servicing” of new vehicles and equipment (logo decals, safety outfitting, etc.). William and the other Mechanics work well together in not only taking care of the daily needs of our growing fleet but assisting crews with unforeseen issues that arise when out in the field or on out-of-town emergency mutual aid events. Like our crews, Mechanics also get the occasional after-hours call. “I work with a great bunch of guys and couldn’t have asked for a better team to work with over the years,” said William.

Michael Silverthorne / 25 Years

Water Resources Equipment Operator IV Michael Silverthorne recently celebrated 25 years of service with GUC. Michael is on one of the five crews whose responsibilities range from medium and heavy construction jobs to troubleshooting service work. His crew in particular primarily handles new water/sewer taps and installations. Over the years, Michael has also won 19 trophies in backhoe rodeo skills competitions against other utilities in the Eastern Water & Wastewater Network. When asked what he likes most about his job, he said it's the people he works with every day. "I love everybody I work with. We are family."  

30 Years
Steve Hedgepeth, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III 

20 Years
Harold Jones, Electric Communications Technician
Gary Shelton, Water Treatment Plant Lead Operator

15 Years
Jason Harmon, Meter Technician III

5 Years
Matthew Board, Electric Underground Lineworker Third Class 
Corbin Congleton, Water Resources Pipe Layer III 
Justin Elks, Wastewater Treatment Plant Maintenance Crew Leader 
Carolyn Jones, Customer Relations Staff Support Specialist I 
Marcus Pippins, Water Resources Pipe Layer III 
Emily Smith, Customer Contact Representative I 
Kyle Veneski, Water Resources Pipe Layer III  
Blake Wingate, Electric Substation/Controls Engineering Assistant II

Congratulations

Congratulations to Electric Control Systems Technician II Josh Owens and his wife, Amber, on the birth of their daughter, Lillian Ruth Owens. 

Accomplishments 

Gas Planning Engineer Charles Buck was recently elected to serve on the North Carolina 811 (NC 811) Board of Directors. GUC is a charter member of the organization, which started in 1978. NC 811 is a non-profit organization funded by its member facilities. They take locate information from anyone engaged in excavation activities. Charles will serve the two remaining years of GUC’s Director of Electric Systems, Roger Jones, who is retiring in early 2021.

New Hires

Ty Hardee,
Electric Meter Technician I