Service Awards

Johnny Vernon / 30 Years

Johnny Vernon has celebrated 30 years of service with GUC. As Gas Systems Operator Crew Leader II at the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Facility, he works directly with industrial and commercial customers. Johnny and the team of employees he supervises maintain all in-city gate stations, regulator gate stations, and cathodic protection, as well as our Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling station. Liquefied natural gas is natural gas that has been super chilled (-260 degrees F) to a liquid state. It is re-gasified when needed by heating it until it returns to its natural state. GUC uses LNG during periods of high demand as a cost-saving measure. Before joining the Gas Department, Johnny worked for five years in the Meter Department. “I like doing my job,” said Johnny. “I like the great people I work with, too. I just like working at GUC.”  



Jamie Braxton / 25 Years

Jamie Braxton recently celebrated 25 years of service with GUC. As a Meter Supervisor, Jamie and his team of six technicians are responsible for all meter readings in the GUC service area. When Jamie began his career at GUC in 1996 as a Meter Technician, the job looked a lot different than it does today. Back then, Meter Technicians would walk from house to house to get meter readings using a hand-held computer. Now, with AMR (Automated Meter Reading), they can simply drive by meters to get readings without having to leave their vehicles. “In addition to being more efficient, the switch to AMR has made the job safer, preventing accidents and injuries,” said Jamie. “The thing I enjoy most about my job,” he said, “is meeting new people and having the chance to work with customers to resolve issues and meet their needs.” 



John Hart / 20 Years

John Hart, Water Resources (WR) Systems Maintenance Crew Leader, recently celebrated 20 years of service with GUC. John supervises one of two crews in charge of cleaning programs for our sewer lines. Routine cleaning is done using our mapping grid system to methodically work across 481 miles of sewer mains. The preventive maintenance program identifies lines where stoppages have occurred in the past - cleaning those areas to prevent stoppages from recurring. John’s crew of two also maintains rights-of-way for our sewer outfalls and some water mains, inspects and maintains force main air releases, inspects and reports on restaurant grease traps and interceptors, conducts sewer crossing state inspections twice a year, and serves as stand-by for other WR crews. Before moving to his current role, John was on a WR heavy construction crew for 13 years. “I’ve enjoyed working here these past 20 years,” he said. “Working here is like being with family, because we spend 10 hours together each workday. We all get along great. I also like training my new crew members and motivating them to work hard and move up to new roles.” 

10 Years 

Dustin Sauls, Tree Trimmer Crew Leader
Emily Garner, Public Information Specialist
Meredith Dent, Accountant Auditor I
Lou Norris, Secretary to the General Manager

Congratulations

Congratulations to Kyle and Tanya Brown on the birth of their daughter, Layla Dianne. Kyle is Planning Engineer in the Electric Department, and Tanya is Accounting Technician II in the Finance Department.  

Congratulations to Gas Engineer II Dillon Wade on his recent marriage to Abby Hucks Wade.  

Sympathies

Our deepest condolences to Customer Contact II Tonya Roebuck on the recent passing of her father-in-law, William Curtis Roebuck.  

Our sympathies to the family of Finance Department retiree Brenda Sawyer, who recently passed away after a courageous cancer battle. She was married to Electric Department retiree Kenneth (Tadpole) Sawyer. Brenda’s brother, Randy McLawhorn, is also a GUC retiree from Electric. 

Our deepest condolences are also extended to Commissioner Minnie Anderson on the recent passing of her son, Redmont Smith.  

Our sympathies also to Water Resources Customer Records Clerk  Nikia Best-Manuel on the recent passing of her grandmother, Ms. Ilene Parker, and her father-in-law, Eduard Manuel, Sr. 

Thank You's 

Howard Corey, Education Liaison with NC811, and Anne Rushing, Education Manager with NC811, sent a letter complimenting Chief Utility Locator Will Prescott for participating with NC811 in the 811 Day interview with WITN TV in Greenville. “He was very professional during the interview, and it is always good for the community to hear from someone [like Will] who is so closely involved in the daily activities of locating underground utilities,” they wrote.  

Michael Luck with Angus Grill contacted GUC to compliment Gas Systems Crew Leader I Paul Bunch and Gas Systems Technician II Chris Wallace for providing excellent customer service. He stated that while Paul and Chris were eating lunch at the grill, they informed Michael that they thought they smelled gas and wanted to perform a leak investigation. During the investigation, multiple leaks were discovered. As a result, Mr. Luck stated that he really appreciated them going above and beyond to make sure his employees and his customers were safe. He also said they were extremely professional and very courteous. 

 Annie Speight sent a letter complimenting Water Resources (WR) Customer Records Clerk Jackie Coley, WR Systems Supervisor Keith Fisher, and WR Systems Maintenance Crew Leader Josh Setzer for a job well done assisting her with a water leak. “My problems were solved, and I am so happy with the way these employees handled things,” she wrote. “I was with the airlines for 30 years, and in my experience, people are quick to complain but forget to praise for a job well done. These [employees] deserve recognition.”