January 2023 Newsmakers

January 2023 Newsmakers

January 31, 2023

Service Awards

Margie Taylor / 25 Years
Margie Taylor has celebrated 25 years of service with GUC in the Finance Department. Margie is responsible for financial reporting, budgeting, and accounting issues. She also completes sales tax reports and various reports and surveys for state and federal agencies. In addition, Margie assists the Chief Financial Officer with debt issuance and disclosure reporting. “My favorite things about working at GUC are the people and the open environment,” she said. “The people are wonderful and caring, and GUC goes above and beyond to show employees they are valued. I have really enjoyed and benefited from the open environment at GUC. That environment has allowed me to grow and progress within the company, achieving results that might not have been possible at another company. It’s been a great 25 years!”

Alan Cummings / 20 Years
Assistant Stores Manager Alan Cummings recently celebrated 20 years of service with GUC. Alan began his GUC career as a Stock Worker in Stores, and then worked in the Gas Department as Pipe Layer I and Equipment Operator III in the Gas Service Section; Pipe Layer II and Gas Systems Technician IV in the Gas Construction Section; and Engineering Assistant before taking his current role as Assistant Stores Manager in 2021. He works with the Stores team to provide our crews with all the materials they need to do their jobs. During his tenure, Alan has been a part of the first iLead class and graduated from the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Institute. In addition, he is currently working on his bachelor’s degree at Liberty University. “I like the challenge of my job,” he said. “I also like the people I work with and knowing that the work we do makes a difference in the community. I take a lot of pride in knowing that we provide life-sustaining services, and it takes all of us to make that happen.”

5 Years 
Brian Weigand, Collections Manager

Promotions

Sean Hawley, IT Senior Systems Analyst II
Allen Brooks, Gas Systems Technician I
Holden Stotesbury, Underground Lineworker Third Class
Megan Fowler, Billing Specialist II
Sam Ristow, Assistant Facilities Supervisor

Accomplishments

Congratulations to Water Treatment Plant Lab Manager Chad Flannagan on his recent Grade 1 Collections Operator Certification through the NC Water Treatment Facility Operators Certification Board. To obtain this certification, employees must attend a Board-approved certification school and pass the state exam.

Congratulations to Electric Engineer I Doug Boone on obtaining his licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE). Obtaining a PE requires passing an exam and having four years of progressive engineering experience before even applying for licensure to the NC Board of Examiners for Engineers and Land Surveyors. The final exam for PE licensure required approximately six months of online courses for 15-20 hours a week.

Congratulations to the following Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) employees on obtaining certifications from the NC Wastewater Operator Certification Board in 2022. Chemist II Crystal Respess received her Lab Analyst II Certification. Maintenance Mechanic I Adam Garris received his Collections I, II, and II Certifications. Maintenance Crew Leader Ronald Miller received his Collections I and II Certifications. Inventory Work Management Coordinator Jay Wetherington received his Collections II, III, and IV Certifications. Operator III Darren Rummell received his Biological IV Certification. Maintenance Mechanic I Clay Smith received his Collections I Certification. Maintenance Instrumentation and Electrician Technician III Tony Rogers received his Collections IV Certification. Facility Manager Jason Manning and Maintenance Mechanics Dylan Moore and Justin Williams received their Collections I Certification. Operator I Adam Evans received his Biological I Certification. 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. The Collections exam relates to the collections system, piping, pump stations, and regulations. The Biological exam relates to plant operations, compliance, controls, and regulations.

Sympathies

Our deepest condolences to John Britt, Fleet Service Writer, on the passing of his brother, Carl Kent Britt.

Our condolences are also extended to IT Systems Analyst II Amber Garris on the passing of her grandmother, Bettye Grace Weeks Pechtel.

Our sincere condolences are extended to WWTP Operator III Julius Phillips on the passing of his daughter, Deja Phillips.

Our sympathies go to Wesley Asbell, WWTP Operator III, on the passing of his mother, Mary Jane Mizell Asbell

Our condolences to the family of retiree Jasper L. Tyson, who recently passed. Mr. Tyson retired from the Water Resources Department in 2000 after 30 years of service with GUC.

Our condolences are also extended to Ray Baker on the loss of his son, Ethan James Baker. Ray retired recently after 26 years in the Electric Department.

Thank You's

Alysha Gray called to compliment Meter Field Technician III Calvin Glover for "going above and beyond” while helping with her service connection. The service indicated a water leak and Calvin showed her how to check for leaks, leading the customer to discover more than one leak that would have damaged the home if left unfixed.

The following thank you was published in the “Bless Your Heart” section of The Daily Reflector on December 28th: “A big bless your heart to GUC for keeping the power on! Thank you!”

Venita Outlaw called to commend Customer Contact Representative I Robin Wyrick on her wonderful customer service and kindness while answering a few questions and concerns Mrs. Outlaw had.

Ano Chukka called to compliment Gas Service Specialist II John Sheppard for providing exceptional customer service while responding to a gas leak at her home. She stated that she would give him an 11 out of 10 for customer service and that she was very appreciative of his patience and attentiveness. John received another compliment from Customer Belinda Munden on his wonderful customer service when responding to her gas leak. The customer described John as a “superstar” and really appreciated his integrity, knowledge, and kindness. She said his quality of service was refreshing and made her family feel safe.

Julia Crippen recently called to compliment Overhead Lineworkers David Bunch and Carter Gaskins on their speedy arrival and hard work to quickly get the power back to Avon Road.

Meredith Briley recently sent the following note of appreciation to our water crews via GUC’s Facebook private messenger: “Thank you to the employees working so hard (and late) to fix the broken water main and road on Chesapeake Place in Bedford/Lynndale. We know it was a mess and we appreciate you!” The following employees were on hand for this job: Crew Leaders Keith Clark, Jordan Godley, Marcus Pippins, and Tyrone Moore; Technicians Charles Hathaway, Patrick Smith, Cameron Cook, Kyle Bird, David McKeel, Joshua Dilda, Antonio Haywood, and Robert Warren; and Maintenance Mechanic Matthew Clark.