Engauge: December 2023

Volume 85, Issue 8

December 2023

Citizens Employees Serve at Horseshoe Helpings 2020 N. Meridian Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 www.citizensenergygroup.com

TRUSTEES Dennis Bland Daniel F. Evans, Jr. Jackie Nytes Mel Raines Brian Williams

DIRECTORS

Anne Nobles, Chair Daniel Appel Moira Carlstedt Sherry D. Davis Jeffrey Good Christia Hicks J.A. Lacy Maria Quintana Nichole C. Wilson

OPERATING MANAGEMENT Jeffrey Harrison

President & Chief Executive Officer

J.P. Ghio

Vice President, Energy Operations

Mark Jacob

Vice President, Capital Programs & Engineering / Quality

Jeff Willman

Vice President, Water Operations

Thirty Citizens Energy Group employees joined the Indianapolis Colts and other local organizations at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 21 to provide Thanksgiving dinners to area families in need. Avane Ervin with the Colts shared, “On behalf of the Colts Community Impact team, I wanted to send a very big thank you to every single person who contributed to making this event a success! We were able to serve over 2,000 families, and leftover meals are still being distributed.”

Horseshoe Helpings is hosted annually by the Indianapolis Colts, US Foods, Citizens, Hensley Legal Group, Lucas Oil Products, Meijer, and UPS. Colts players, cheerleaders, and local volunteers help pack and distribute food through both drive-thru and walk-up stations at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Volunteering with Citizens extends far beyond the holiday season, with dozens of opportunities available year-round. Citizens employees can volunteer at sponsored events like Horseshoe Helpings and Sharing the Dream, or at community organizations of their choice.

“This is my first year working at Citizens, and I’ve looked forward to the events and volunteer opportunities scheduled throughout the year,” said Ben Easley, Coordinator, Corporate & Public Affairs. “The variety of engagement opportunities has allowed me to meet people in my new job and give back to my community in new and interesting ways. This makes my calendar feel more dynamic, and I think it’s a neat part of our employee culture.”

Employees are invited to visit the Citizens for Good Volunteer Portal on iTrust to learn about the wide variety of opportunities available.

Craig Jackson

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Sabine Karner

Vice President and Controller

Joseph M. Perkins, Jr.

Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Joe Sutherland

Vice President, Regulatory Affairs

Jodi Whitney

Vice President, Human Resources & Chief Diversity Officer

Mike Strohl

Senior Vice President, Chief Customer Officer

John Lucas

Vice President, Information Technology

Curtis Popp

Vice President, Customer Operations

COMPANY VISION:

Enhance the well-being of our customers, communities, and employees by providing unparalleled service now and for generations to come.

COMPANY MISSION:

We fulfill the Promise of the Trust to provide essential utility services for our customers and communities, maintain the lowest possible rates with sound financial management, and create the greatest long-term benefit through a unique business structure.

ENGAUGE

Engauge is published by Citizens Energy Group, Corporate and Public Affairs Department, under the direction of Shannon Stahley, Director of Corporate and Public Affairs. It is distributed to the company’s employees and retirees, and to other interested parties upon request. The Corporate and Public Affairs Department welcomes any ideas, comments, or suggestions from readers on how this publication might better serve you. Please email the Corporate and Public Affairs Department at alowe@citizensenergygroup.com or call 317.927.4336.

Editor:

Adam Lowe

Contributors:

Doug Buffington Susan Harris Melissa Hehmann Brett McClellan Ann Shutters Cheryl Smith

Graphic Arts:

Wayne Stohs Joel Bustamante

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Engauge - December 2023

On the Cover Volume 85, Issue 8

December 2023

Citizens’ Plant Engineering team assembles a greenhouse for Indy Urban Acres, an initiative of The Parks Alliance of Indianapolis. It’s estimated the greenhouse will allow for the growth of more than 50,000 plants in its first season.

Citizens Employees Support Engineers Without Borders Four volunteers from the Indiana chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) traveled to Laurel Gompuene, an indigenous community near Flores, Ecuador, in September to assess the water supply needs of its residents.

The community approached EWB for assistance with their water supply system as they lack the resources to independently implement improvements. Volunteers used the trip as an opportunity to assess the current conditions to form a basis for future recommendations to be implemented

by EWB, if found feasible.

The travel team consisted of Kate Kreienkamp, Structural Engineer, Indianapolis Department of Public Works; Rebekah Miner, Structural Engineer, CE Solutions; Veronika Meyer, Water Resources Engineer, City of Fort Wayne; and Susan Harris, Director of Quality Systems at Citizens Energy Group, who is a civil/environmental engineer. The travel team was also supported by multiple volunteers who did not travel but instead provided mapping skills and mentoring necessary for a successful trip. In Ecuador, the team was supported by two full-time Ecuador-based employees of EWB who assisted with travel arrangements, and technical support, and translation (the native language of the community is Quechua, and Quechua-Spanish-English translation was required).

The team conducted operational tests of the community’s current well pump, performed water quality testing, and mapped the water distribution system. They also completed household surveys to establish a connection with the community and assess the water usage and needs for each home. After three days of field work, preliminary information was provided to the community and a partnership agreement was signed for future work.

Susan’s role on the project included preliminary report writing and planning, water quality sampling and analysis, community interaction, and serving as the primary health and safety officer.

The Indianapolis chapter of EWB hosts an annual kickball tournament, supported by Citizens for several years, as a fundraiser for chapter operations. A team from Citizens won the Tournament Champions title in 2023.

The Indianapolis chapter also provides technical mentoring support for EWB student chapters at Purdue and Rose-Hulman. If you would like to learn more about the organization or get involved, please see Susan Harris or visit www.ewb-indianapolis-chapter.org.

Paperless W-2s for Active Employees In an ongoing effort to enhance efficiencies and reduce environmental impact, Payroll is going paperless with W-2s, starting in January for the 2023 tax year.

Instead of receiving your W-2 in the mail, all active employees can conveniently access your W-2 through Oracle EBS – Employee Self Service.

You can also access your W-2 using a non-company device. The instruction guide on how to use a non-company device is located on the Payroll & Compensation page of the HR iTrust site.

Retirees will continue to receive W-2s in the mail.

Contact Human Resources with questions at 317-927-4367.

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Citizens Honors Veterans at Annual Celebration Citizens Energy Group honored employees who are veterans of the armed forces at a luncheon held at American Legion Post 64 on November 7. This year marked a special change to the annual event, with attendees participating in a service project in support of homeless veterans.

Craig Jackson, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer – himself a U.S. Air Force veteran – welcomed the veterans to the event: “I share the pride you feel in being able to say you have served in the United States armed forces. More than 10 percent of Citizens’ employees are veterans.

Interestingly, the U.S. Census in 2018 showed that only 7 percent of the adult population were veterans. We are in rarified air. My military service taught me about discipline, teamwork, and camaraderie – qualities I know all of you also bring to your work at Citizens.”

President & CEO Jeffrey Harrison also expressed appreciation for the veterans’ service: “It is truly a privilege to be here today, especially knowing that we will be able to make a significant impact on serving your fellow veterans. Veterans Day honors America’s heroes for their patriotism and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. No matter which branch you served in or how many years you served, committing yourself to service in the military is a brave and selfless act.”

Featured speakers at this year’s event included Glenn Hawkins, Post 64 Commander; Will Ore, Post 64 Service Officer; and John Harz, Construction Safety Administrator at Citizens and a Navy veteran. Ore spoke on the valuable services available for veterans at the Post, and Harz spoke about the importance of the American Legion’s Be the One program, an initiative that aims to destigmatize asking for mental health support among veterans.

Julia Whitehead, Founder and CEO of the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, served as the keynote speaker. Citizens is a proud sponsor of the library. Kurt Vonnegut, the library’s namesake, was a renowned Indiana author and World War II veteran.

Ashlee Walls, Vice President of Advancement for Helping Veterans and Families of Indiana (HVAF), and Rodney Jackson, HVAF volunteer, wrapped up the event with a special service project. Attendees were invited to assemble hygiene packs to be distributed directly to homeless veterans in Central Indiana, solidifying the luncheon as not just a celebration of Citizens’ veteran employees, but also as an opportunity for veterans to help fellow veterans. In total, more than 300 hygiene kits were assembled.

Citizens for Good: Volunteer Spotlight Our volunteer spotlight is a chance to meet a Citizens Energy Group employee who is making a big impact in the community outside of their job. Citizens employees are encouraged to volunteer at Citizens-sponsored events, or at community organizations of their choice.

Meet John Harz, Construction Safety Administrator John Harz has been with Citizens since 2017, starting a new role in November as Construction Safety Administrator. John previously worked in the role of Wastewater Area Maintenance Supervisor at Citizens’ Belmont Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant, where he oversaw the dewatering and incineration areas with a crew of 12 mechanics, electricians, laborers, and instrumentation specialists.

Prior to joining Citizens, John worked for United Water as well as Suez. A veteran, John served in the United States Navy for five years, and he is an advocate and volunteer at the American Legion Post 64 as well as Helping Veterans and Families (HVAF). This year’s annual celebration luncheon for Citizens employee veterans was held at Post 64, and it concluded with a service project in support of HVAF.

Why is it important to you to volunteer?

“My wife and I feel fortunate with our life and situation. We’ve been blessed in many ways. My time in the Navy was quite easy compared to some of the work others had to do during their time in the service.

I enjoy hearing their stories and helping where I can with the American Legion.”

Tell us about your role with the American Legion.

“I volunteer my free time at the American Legion Post 64. I’m the Sergeant at Arms for the Legionnaires and Director of the American Legion Riders Chapter 64.

As for my riders, we do four or five signature rides a year for charitable organizations.

I try to split our rides between veterans’ needs and the local community’s needs. In a single signature ride, we’ll donate $1,500 and whatever money we bring in from gaming, raffles, and registration fees, all to the organization for which we’re riding. I’m told my post is one of the largest – if not the largest – donation posts in Indianapolis.”

How do you help Helping Veterans and Families (HVAF)?

“HVAF is just one of the organizations we help at the American Legion Post 64. HVAF helps us when we have a veteran in need of assistance, as they have the time, people, and resources to assess the veterans and determine what they need and for what they are eligible. At the Post, we help raise money and gather food donations for HVAF, and I recently helped bridge the gaps between Citizens and HVAF when they were seeking donations. I’ve also taken some of Citizens’ managers to HVAF so they can see firsthand the work they do.”

About HVAF Helping Veterans and Families of Indiana, Inc. 964 N. Pennsylvania St. Indianapolis, IN 46204 Mary Mauer, Donor & Volunteer Relations Coordinator advancement@hvaf.org 317-951-0688 HVAF helps homeless veterans return to self-sufficiency and engages at-risk veterans and their families to prevent them from becoming homeless by providing supportive housing, intensive case management, employment support, therapy, and basic needs assistance including food, hygiene and clothing. HVAF is in need of canned meat and chili, peanut butter, jelly, rice and pasta sides, body wash, shaving cream, and deodorant.

Whether it’s helping a veteran shop during in the pantry or cleaning at one of 15 different housing properties, volunteers ensure HVAF can carry out its mission to help veterans facing homelessness in the community become self-sufficient.

HVAF’s food, hygiene and clothing pantries rely solely on volunteers to assist 30-40 veterans each Tuesday and Thursday during pantry outreach.

Three hundred much-needed hygiene kits were assembled during Citizens’ Veterans luncheon and then were immediately distributed by HVAF Street Outreach Coordinator Rodney Jackson to homeless veterans living on Indy’s streets. Kits were also passed out through HVAF’s pantry outreach.

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Citizens Volunteers Build Greenhouse for Local Community On October 17, Citizens Energy Group’s Plant Engineering team completed a milestone service project for Indy Urban Acres (an initiative of The Parks Alliance of Indianapolis). Over the course of the day, 15 employees donated more than 130 hours of service to build a greenhouse donated by Ecologic in time to have it operational for the fall season. Indy Urban Acres estimates it will be able to grow more than 50,000 plants in its first season, all of which will feed people throughout the community who are experiencing food insecurity. The project changes the landscape (literally and figuratively) for Indy Urban Acres, allowing it to reach even more individuals during a season when access to fresh produce can become even more challenging. A special thank-you goes to the volunteers whose work on this project will create a lasting impact: Jason Dillon, Engineer IV; Bruce Cooley, Engineer IV; Scott Lykins, Fleet & Facilities Services Supervisor; Daphne Chiu, Manager Resource Recovery; Ryan Taylor, Manager Purification Plant Engineering; Samuel Johnson, Engineer I; Brendon Crabtree, Engineer I; Terry Ramey, Technical Specialist VI; Michelle Law, Construction Specialist VII; Tommy Frost, Lead Facility Technician; Don McCann, Fleet & Facilities Services Supervisor; Dennis Doyle, Fleet & Facilities Services Supervisor; Lavashia Primus, Fleet & Facilities Coordinator; Crit Crabtree, Manager Engineering; and Matt Thomas, Director Plant Engineering.

Safety Tip: Ladders and Lights ’Tis the season to clear out those gutters, put up the holiday lights, or repair a few shingles after a seasonal windstorm. Here’s a quick reminder about ladder safety!

Seven steps on how to safely use a ladder: 1. Use a ladder that meets Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) standards and is of a grade suitable for the task (and your weight).

2. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety warnings. Before using a ladder, check the following: • Right height for the job • Non-slip feet • No signs of warping, rust, or corrosion • No missing parts • Placed on level, firm footing • Securely locked and braced into place 3. Make sure there are no power lines or exposed electrical wiring near the ladder. Never use ladders during storms, or in rainy or windy weather.

4. Lean the ladder against a wall at a ratio of 4:1 to stop it from falling over. For example, if the ladder is eight feet tall, place the foot of the ladder two feet from the wall.

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5. When climbing a ladder: • Always wear enclosed slip-resistant shoes or boots • Have someone hold the ladder at the base • Climb up the center of the ladder, holding it with both hands – it’s important to maintain a minimum of three points of contact on the ladder • Never stand on the tread immediately below the top cap as you may lose your balance 6. When working on a ladder: • Always grip the ladder with one hand • Work within arm’s reach of the ladder • If you can’t easily reach what you need to, climb down and safely reposition the ladder • Be careful when pulling items from shelves, gutters or roofs, as this may cause you to lose balance 7. Be mindful of individual circumstances. Do not use a ladder if you are affected by medication or a health condition that may cause you to lose balance. Avoid using a ladder if you are alone or cannot get help in the case of an accident.

Q&A Meet Wayne Stinson, Gas Controller II Wayne Stinson began his career in May 1980, during the days of Citizens Gas & Coke Utility, as a Laborer at the Indianapolis Coke Plant. He worked at the plant for nine years in roles including Track Crewman, Heavy Equipment Operator, Switch Crewman, Crane Helper, and Millwright. In 1989, he transferred to the Underground Storage facility in Greene County as an Oilfield Plumber. He would later move to Johnstown Station to work as Station Operator, Mechanic, and, most recently, his current role as Underground Storage Gas Controller.

1. What attracted you to Citizens?

Citizens has become a family tradition for Wayne. “My father and brother-in-law both worked for Citizens. Now, my son, Michael Stinson, works for Citizens, making it three generations.” Michael Stinson works in Gas Operations as a Pipeline Construction & Maintenance Coordinator. Claude Stinson (Wayne’s father) and Jack Klase (Wayne’s brother-inlaw) both retired from Citizens and have since passed away.

2. What do you enjoy about your job?

“I would have to say the people here in UGS and being able to play a part in daily Gas operations. My Job as an UGS Gas Controller consists of meeting our customers’ needs by directing purchased nominations of gas through various pipelines and setting valves from three different suppliers in the summer months when natural gas is at the lowest cost. We inject and store this gas in six different underground storage fields.

In the fall/winter months, UGS withdraws this less expensive gas from the fields, cleans and dries the gas in purification stations, and delivers it to Indianapolis customers through a 20-inch transmission line from Johnstown to Mooresville. UGS Gas Controllers monitor temperatures, pump statuses, and field pressures in these winter-summer processes.”

3. What do you appreciate about working at Citizens?

“What comes to mind is being able to genuinely be a part of daily operations in the UGS department and troubleshooting issues in day-to-day operations.”

Wayne spends his free time fishing and boating, and when the weather allows, you’ll find him riding his Harley. His favorite travel destination is northern Minnesota, and he also enjoys cruising (not just on his Harley, but on cruise liners).

Energy Efficiency Tip: Make Your Home More Efficient This Year Is saving money one of your New Year’s resolutions? Practice these energy efficiency tips to save on your heating and cooling costs this year.

• Upgrade to a high-efficiency furnace to save on your heating bill.

• Before buying a new furnace or boiler or modifying your existing unit, first make every effort to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Energy efficiency improvements will save you money on a new furnace or boiler, because you can purchase a smaller unit. After making energy efficiency improvements, have a heating contractor size your furnace. A properly sized furnace or boiler will operate most efficiently. Choose a dependable unit and compare the warranties of each furnace or boiler you’re considering.

• Have your furnace maintained and inspected annually by a qualified technician to ensure optimal performance.

• Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as recommended.

• Turn off kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you are finished cooking or bathing. When replacing exhaust fans, consider installing high-efficiency, low-noise models.

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Citizens’ Support for Runners Hits the Mark Today’s modern marathon may be the most wellknown of athletic feats: a 26.2-mile test of both physical and mental strength. Despite the seeming prevalence of races today, only half of one percent of the country’s population has ever completed a marathon. For the past 16 years, runners from around the country and the world have descended on Indianapolis to participate in the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, half-marathon, or 5K run—one of the 15 largest marathon events in the country.

Near the 24-mile-marker, just 2.2 tantalizing miles away from the finish line, sits Citizens Energy Group’s General Office. This year, dozens of employees from Citizens (a proud sponsor of the event) joined the 31SVN Street Dance Academy and DJBK to put together “the best cheer squad the marathon has ever seen.” For runners like Sara Mamuska-Morris, Director of Market Development, who was running the half-marathon, it’s that kind of support that makes all the difference. “It was amazing to see the Citizens marathon cheer team. That stretch of Meridian can be really hard mentally for the racers, since it’s so close to the end, but not quite close enough. Having such a large, fun group of coworkers and friends personally gave me a boost and a smile that I took to the finish line.”

Sara has been with Citizens since 2001, starting in the Perry K Steam Plant as a Plant Engineer. In her 22-year career with Citizens, Sara has worked in Gas Engineering, Business Development, Shared Field Services, Treasury, and now Market Development. Sara’s department includes the Sales and Marketing and New Services teams, who are primarily responsible for adding new customers to systems and maintaining relationships with existing customers.

Running on-again, off-again since she was in her 30s, Sara started anew about five years ago after connecting with a group of running friends who spurred her interest in running longer distances. Since then, she has run the Monumental Marathon twice and the half-marathon twice. She also has run multi-day trail running events, several 12-hour trail runs, and both trail and other road halfmarathons. The mental challenge of running long distances can often be as challenging as the physical toll. Sara shared, “The physical part of distance running is taken care of during months of training; the hours you put in on the road or on the trail preparing for the race. If you show up the day of the race healthy, the hardest part is mentally getting through to the end. With races that are really supported well, like the Monumental Marathon and the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, it is easier to get through the mental part because there are so many people cheering along the way.”

From cheering on runners at the Monumental Marathon to internal opportunities such as health fairs, wellness challenges, and classes, Citizens is setting a strong pace for promoting health and wellness. Sara shared, “I love Citizens’ culture of wellness. I actively participate in the wellness challenges, have taken the yoga classes, and have worked with the wellness team to achieve certain goals. I think the programs are a great way to promote health and wellness and help us all be Healthy Citizens.”

Citizens Employees Invited to “Talk of the Trust” All employees are invited to attend the Toastmasters Club Talk of the Trust open house on January 24. Guests will learn more about Citizens Energy Group’s Toastmasters Club, which encourages growth and development towards the goal of excelling in public speaking and leadership. Established in February 2022, this will be the 100th meeting of Citizens’ Toastmasters Club, which meets weekly. The open house will include speeches from members and other examples of what one might expect from the Toastmasters Club experience.

The event will be held in the Langsdale 1B Board Room from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24. Please RSVP to Crit Crabtree at ecrabtree@citizensenergygroup.com.

About Toastmasters International Toastmasters will give you the skills and confidence you need to effectively express yourself in any situation. Whether you are a tenured manager, student, young professional, someone looking to advance their career, or someone hoping to make an impact in your community, Toastmasters is the most efficient, supportive, enjoyable, and affordable way of gaining great communication skills. By learning to effectively formulate and express your ideas, you open an entirely new world of possibilities. You’ll improve your interpersonal communication and be more persuasive and confident when giving speeches.

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Legacy of Steam Employee Realized On November 3, Todd Fuller, Director Thermal Operations, and his team at the Perry K Steam Plant welcomed special guest Tylor Williams, son of Marty Williams, a Steam Distribution Operator who passed away in 2002. For Tylor, it was an opportunity to reconnect with those who knew his father well.

On October 10, 2002, Marty Williams was working in a manhole on West Street when a steam pipe ruptured. Tragically, Marty passed away the next day from his injuries. A Citizens employee since 1999, the 28-year-old was survived by his wife, Christie, as well as his two children, 6-year-old Tylor and 4-year-old Ashley. In the wake of his loss, fellow employees of what was then Citizens Gas & Coke Utility established an educational trust for Marty’s two children.

In the more than 20 years since his passing, support for the Williams Trust has continued. Steam employees came together annually for many years to hold a motorcycle ride in support of the trust. Many employees continued to actively support the trust, as well. Mark Vogler, Manager Thermal Engineering, remembers Marty fondly: “Marty was dedicated to his family and passionate about his work. I remember him as always wanting to know more about steam systems and always enthusiastic about learning something new. He was a real pleasure to be around.”

Ashley graduated from Calvin University in April 2023 with a degree in recreational therapy. All expenses for Ashley’s education were paid by the trust. She now works for the City of Kentwood, Michigan, Parks and Recreation Department.

Tylor works as a home builder in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area. He and his wife are expecting their first child, a boy, in May 2024. Because Tylor went directly into the workforce, he received a distribution of his share of the trust on his 28th birthday on November 2.

Visitors to the Perry K Steam Plant will see memorials to Marty just outside the facility, as well as inside on the walls of the board room. Marty’s memory still lives on with his fellow employees, as Tylor shared, “Through the years, I have always felt the brotherhood of Citizens.”

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Fundraiser for Warm Heart Warm Home Held at TopGolf In November, Citizens Energy Group hosted 204 people from 34 companies at Topgolf in Fishers for the fourth annual fundraiser benefitting Citizens’ Warm Heart Warm Home Foundation™.

Thanks to the efforts of the Fundraising Team, coled by Manager of Branding & Corporate Engagement Jennifer Mentink, Manager Engineering Crit Crabtree, and Corporate Events & Philanthropy Coordinator Shannon Frederick, the event raised more than $71,197 to benefit Warm Heart Warm Home. All 34 bays at Topgolf were sold, which contributed to the event raising $20,500 more than it did in 2022.

Members of the Fundraising Team include Shannon Stahley, Paul Dicken, Diane Ashlock, Tracey Black, Abby Robbins, Ed Bukovac, Jeremy Kosegi, Steve Berube, Leo Sparks, Stephanie Tuvell, Mike Miller, Adam Lowe, and Jessica Small.

Warm Heart Warm Home provides financial grants, utility line/appliance repair and/or replacement, energy management education, and case management to individuals and families experiencing short-and long-term economic hardship. The goal of the Warm Heart Warm Home Foundation™ is to help those customers by identifying a path to get them through difficult situations. You can help a neighbor by making a one-time or recurring monthly donation. Gifts are tax deductible and will go directly to those who need them most. Learn how you can donate at www.citizensenergygroup.com/WHWH.

Paul Riggins Giving Tree Program Supports Gleaners Food Bank The Paul Riggins Giving Tree Program is supporting Gleaners Food Bank once again this year. Citizens’ Fundraising Team, which organizes the program, is challenging employees to raise $3,500 by January 5 through a virtual food drive.

To contribute to the food drive, visit give.gleaners.org/Citizens. (Feel free to invite your friends and family to contribute by sharing the link with them!) Every $1 Gleaners receives can be turned into up to eight meals for those in need. In the past three years, the Paul Riggins Giving Tree Program raised almost $10,000—enough to fund nearly 75,000 meals. Families are provided with fresh, healthy produce, protein-rich meats, and dairy, as well as shelf-stable items.

Requesting financial donations instead of asking employees to buy gifts for local families as we have in the past allows us to go back to the roots of the Paul Riggins Giving Tree Program.

Ten days before Christmas in 1992, Paul Riggins , who worked for Citizens as a machinist for 47 years, taped a $5 bill to the outline of a Christmas tree on the wall of the facility where he worked.

Expecting that someone would take it, he vowed to give it to charity if it remained at the end of the week. To Riggins’ surprise, his coworkers began taping $1, $5, $10, $20, and even $50 bills to the wall to be given to charity.

In the spirit of the original Paul Riggins Giving Tree, wooden trees will be displayed across the company with QR codes directing you to the fundraiser website. Trees can be found at the following locations: • Langsdale 1A outside ATI’s office • White River Water Treatment Plant by the front door • Belmont outside the storeroom counter in the maintenance building Perry K in the Admin area by Nick Kuntz’s office If you prefer to donate cash, please contact Steve Berube to arrange an online donation on your behalf.

Gleaners also is seeking volunteers. If you’re interested in learning about available opportunities, visit https://gleaners.volunteerhub.com 10 Engauge - December 2023

Quality Corner October/November Engauge Correction: Zoya Barker was incorrectly listed as a member of the CSA Training Request and Catalog Yellow Belt Project. The team included Breanne Fite, not listed.

CLASS Belt Certifications YELLOW BELT Lift Station Data Reporting • Project Leader: Jason Young (Wastewater Plant Operations) • Jason Young’s project identified the sources of data corruption in the Pump Overview Report Level 3, which prevents effective lift station reporting to the Wastewater Maintenance department. Wastewater Maintenance uses the report to assist with predicting failures or degraded performance of lift station pumps.

• Benefit: As of Q3 2023, the percentage of errors observed in the Pump Overview Report has been reduced to zero. This allows Wastewater Maintenance management to receive accurate lift station reporting.

Fall Creek Intake Leaf Removal • Project Leader: Chris Barron (Water Production) • Team Members: Larry Cox, Edwin Morris, Sean Campbell • Chris Barron’s project addressed the issue of reduced capacity due to leaf accumulation on the bar racks and screens at the Fall Creek Water Treatment Plant. Floating deflector boards were constructed to deflect the leaves away from the bar racks and screens.

• Benefits: The time required for manual leaf removal has been reduced by one-third. The first-year savings (deducting the cost of the project) is $2,060.38.

Jason Young

FY23 CLASS Project Success Congratulations on a successful year of project completion! In fiscal year 2023, a total of 98 CLASS projects were completed: one Green Belt, 14 Yellow Belts, seven Advanced Yellow Belts, and 76 Just Do It projects. The impact of these projects is impressive: Employees’ CLASS efforts across the organization resulted in savings of more than 10,000 hours and $1.3 million annually, which can then be reallocated.

Project Pipeline Do you have an idea for a CLASS project? Can you identify something that might improve a process to remove steps, errors, time, etc.? Is there a problem that needs to be solved but the solution isn’t known yet? Consider submitting your idea or improvement suggestion to the Project Pipeline. The information will be submitted to Quality, and a team member will reach out to discuss it with you, along with possible next steps. Go to Quality’s iTrust site to enter your idea.

Chris Barron

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FY 2024 FY2024

Short Term Incentive Incentive Pay Pay Plan Plan (STIP) (STIP) Financial Trigger: > $430M This financial trigger is based on EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization). This threshold must be met before any Incentive is paid to employees.

25%

Customer Satisfaction Customer Satisfaction is measured by the outcome of our Customer Relationship Model (CRM) survey. This is a random survey that encompasses feedback from our residential and commercial customers. The survey is a key driver model and identifies Billing, Rates, and Services as the primary elements that drive Customer satisfaction at Citizens. These customers may or may not have called the call center. Ease of Use and Reliability have been identified as key sub-drivers of Customer satisfaction. The measures are On-Time Customer Appointments, Bill Exceptions, Non-Excavation Gas Leaks, and Lead Service Line Replacements.

CRM Element

25%

Threshold

Target

Outstanding

Bill (5%)

76.2

79.4

82.5

Rates (2.5%)

56.5

58.6

60.6

Services (5%)

76.6

80.1

83.5

Threshold

Target

Outstanding

Appointment On-Time Rate (3.125%)

91.5%

92.5%

93.5%

Average Daily Bill Exceptions (3.125%)

3200

2300

1400

Threshold

Target

Outstanding

Gas Non-Excavation Leaks per Mile (3.125%)

0.062

0.054

0.042

Lead Service Line Replacements (3.125%)

500

600

700

Results

Employee Engagement

Threshold

Target

Outstanding

Company Wide (6.25%)

2.25

1.8

1.35

Operational Area (6.25%)

Threshold

Target

Outstanding

CSS

2.25

1.8

1.35

Energy

2.25

1.8

1.35

SFS

2.25

1.8

1.35

Water

2.25

1.8

1.35

Wastewater

2.25

1.8

1.35

VEHICLE ACCIDENTS

Threshold

Target

Outstanding

Company Wide (6.25 %)

4

3

2

Operational Area (6.25 %)

Threshold

Target

Outstanding

CSS

4

3

2

Energy

4

3

2

SFS

4

3

2

Water

4

3

2

Wastewater

4

3

2

Results

Results

Results

Results

Financial Integrity Financial integrity ensures we (1) can be there for our beneficiaries for the long-term and (2) can maintain the lowest possible rates for our customers. To achieve this, we must, among other things, maintain a cost conscious culture despite external challenges to our Operations and Maintenance (O&M) cost structure. O&M includes everyday activities such as, working efficiently, first contact resolution, purchasing of products or credit card expenses, and living a healthy lifestyle to mitigate rising health care costs, just to name a few. Each employee can positively impact O&M.

O&M

25%

Results

Safety performance is measured by DART Rate calculations (Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred due to recordable safety incidents) and chargeable company vehicle accidents. Employee Engagement in safe practices is the responsibility of all employees, regardless of the nature of their work. All employees are expected to identify and call out unsafe practices or conditions in any area of the company, not only their assigned work area. Safety Outstanding Trigger: To receive above a 100% payout in any area, that area must have an average annual attendance at safety meetings above 80%.

DART

25%

Results

Threshold

Target

Outstanding

$313 million

$304 million

$298 million

Results

Performance Excellence Utilizing Citizens Lean and Six Sigma (CLASS) principles is critical to providing safe, reliable, and quality services to our customers. Through the emphasis and continued growth of Citizens’ Continuous Improvement culture, employees are empowered to improve our processes, services, and themselves to deliver measurable benefits impacting customer satisfaction, cost containment, safety, and day-to-day engagement of employees. Points: Belt Projects = 2 points and Just Do It Projects = 1 Point

CLASS Projects Completed

12 Engauge - December 2023

Threshold

Target

Outstanding

80

90

100

Results

2024 Well Points - Important Dates Employees who wish to receive the 2024 Health Savings Account (HSA) company contribution will need to participate in the Healthy Citizens Well Points Program and earn points by December 31, 2023. As the conclusion of the 2023 Well Points Program draws near, please be aware of the following dates (based on employee status) so you don’t miss out on a 2024 HSA company contribution.

Employees must be actively employed at the time of contribution to receive it.

NON-BARGAINING EMPLOYEES • December 31, 2023: 2023 program ends • January 26, 2024: Must have all documentation uploaded (documentation must be for January 1-December 31, 2023) • January or February 2024: 50% of HSA company contribution for employees achieving 1,000 Well Points in the 2023 program • January 2024: HSA deposit for those with 1,000 Well Points uploaded by December 15, 2023 • February 2024: HSA deposit for those with 1,000 Well Points uploaded by January 26, 2024 • July 2024: Remaining 50% of HSA company contribution for employees achieving 1,000 Well Points in the 2023 program

BARGAINING EMPLOYEES • December 31, 2023: 2023 program ends • January 26, 2024: Must have all documentation uploaded (documentation must be for January 1-December 31, 2023) • January or February 2024: 100% of HSA company contribution for employees achieving 1,000 Well Points in the 2023 program • January 2024: HSA deposit for those with 1,000 Well Points uploaded by December 15, 2023 • February 2024: HSA deposit for those with 1,000 Well Points uploaded by January 26, 2024

NEW EMPLOYEES HIRED IN 2023 • December 31, 2023: Program ends • January 26, 2024: Must have all documentation uploaded (documentation must be for January 1-December 31, 2023) • Well Points goal based on hire date • January 1-June 30, 2023: 1,000 Well Points • July 1-December 31, 2023: 750 Well Points • Please refer to Non-Bargaining or Bargaining employee status above to determine contribution dates The 2024 Well Points Program will remain largely the same as 2023. The Employee and Spouse 2024 Well Points Program will open on January 1, 2024.

Submit Volunteer Hours by January 15 Citizens Energy Group’s Community Volunteer Support Program recognizes employees and retirees for the time and effort they invest in the local community. Volunteers must meet certain requirements by January 15 to be eligible for a volunteer gift and/or a grant for a non-profit for which they volunteer.

Gifts for volunteers: Each employee who annually volunteers 20 or more hours to any eligible organization or a combined four hours* for any projects sponsored by Citizens will receive a gift. Retirees must volunteer at least 50 hours annually.

Grants for non-profits: Full-time and part-time employees may apply for one $250 award each calendar year for a non-profit organization for which they volunteered at least 50 hours. Retirees must volunteer at least 100 hours annually.

Employees should use the new Citizens for Good portal to submit community volunteer hours for calendar year 2023.

From the iTrust home page, hover over the Corporate Support Services tab, then from the Corporate Affairs menu, select Citizens for Good Volunteer Portal. Under Volunteer Quick Links, choose Community Volunteer Form. Complete this step for each organization for which you volunteered.

To apply for a grant for a non-profit for which you’ve volunteered, click on the $250 Grant & Gift Program button from the Quick Links section. You’ll also need to ask the organization to complete the form on our external website: https://bit.ly/citizensvolunteer.

If you have questions about the volunteer program, please contact Shannon Frederick.

Engauge - December 2023 13

14 Engauge - December 2023

WINTER

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2020 North Meridian Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46202

In Memoriam We are saddened to report the recent passing of one retiree.

Earle Stevenson on November 13, 2023. Earle retired on February 1, 2000 after 32 years of service

Service Awards December

Jeffrey Bullock

30 Years Corporate Support Services

Matthew Kline

10 Years Corporate Support Services

Kimberly BrodieBonner

Abed Darwish

25 Years Gas

20 Years Corporate Support Services

Katrina Schaler

David Hilyard

10 Years Corporate Support Services

Yvette Dennis

David Clark

15 Years Corporate Support Services

10 Years Corporate Support Services

Jacob Ford

Beverly Freitag

10 Years Corporate Support Services

10 Years Corporate Support Services

Zavier Goble

Steven Goode

5 Years Water

New Employees

Vetro Abernathy

Jesus Bello

Steven Boyer Water

Corporate Support Services

Nigel Bryant

Alyvion Campbell

Robbie Goodwin'

Mitchell Halila Wastewater

Aaron Johnson

Anthony Johnson

Terrence Johnson Corporate Support Services

Corporate Support Services

Jesse Tate

Brian Taylor

Troy Wilson

Corporate Support Services

Corporate Support Services

Bryan Rowlett Steam

Water

Ernest Sanchez

Corporate Support Services

Steam

David Soto

Corporate Support Services

Wastewater

Corporate Support Services

Corporate Support Services

Wastewater

Corporate Support Services

Brian Noel

Water

Water

Colleen Rosene

Corporate Support Services