Noel Whitley, Substation Construction/Maintenance Electrician III, has retired after 18 years with Greenville Utilities. 

Noel was part of the Substation Construction/Maintenance group that ensures GUC’s substation components are operating properly. Our electric distribution system is set up so if a problem occurs (like a tree limb falling on an electric line), a series of protection devices are triggered. The system is designed to minimize the number of customers affected by a fault, as well as reduce damage to shorted facilities. If an underground cable is faulted (which can be hundreds of feet in length), this group is called upon to pinpoint locations with underground fault locating equipment.

Part of Noel’s responsibilities were maintaining and testing protective relays, backup batteries that power protective relays, and reclosers on poles. He also helped with installing fiber optic wiring throughout GUC facilities for our data and radio communication systems, and assisted generator technicians with maintenance or issues.

“There were always a lot of different things to work on and never a dull moment,” he said. “The people at GUC are a great bunch.” 

A Stokes native, Noel went to Pitt Community College for his associate’s degree in electrical systems. Prior to joining GUC, he worked as an industrial electrician at various mills and factories in the area. 

His wife, Kathy, is a nurse, and they have three adult daughters, an eight-year-old granddaughter, and a grandbaby on the way.  Noel says he’s already enjoying more fishing and time with his family.

Good luck in retirement, Noel, you will be missed!