INSIDE HIGH POINT AUGUST 2022
THE CHIEF REID NAMED WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR!
CONTENTS Welcome to Inside High Point, the newsletter that covers everything going on within the City of High Point and its various departments. If you have news, photos, questions or suggestions for what you would like to see featured, please email us at PIO@highpointnc.gov.
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08/
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VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
A BIG MONTH FOR ELECTRIC
NEW HIRES & PROMOTIONS
Read about Chief Reid's service at the Wyndham Championship.
Find out why the electric department has a lot to celebrate.
Check out who has joined the CHP family and who has moved up.
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CITY COUNCIL City Council meets the first and third Monday of each month. You can find their meeting schedule HERE. Mayor - Jay Wagner
Jay.Wagner@highpointnc.gov 336.883.3305
Member at Large - Britt Moore
Britt.Moore@highpointnc.gov 336.687.2200
Member at Large - Tyrone E. Johnson
Tyrone.Johnson@highpointnc.gov 336.307.8261
Ward 1 - Cyril Jefferson
Cyril.Jefferson@highpointnc.gov
Ward 2 - Chris Williams
Chris.Williams@highpointnc.gov 336.883.1736
Ward 3 - Monica Peters, Mayor Pro Tem
Monica.Peters@highpointnc.gov 336.906.7328
Ward 4 - Wesley Hudson
Wesley.Hudson@highpointnc.gov 336.655.5880
Ward 5 - Victor Jones
Victor.Jones@highpointnc.gov 336.899.7777
Ward 6 - Michael Holmes
Michael.Holmes@highpointnc.gov
www.highpointnc.gov
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Tommy Reid Named 2021 Wyndham Championship Volunteer of the Year
It was the High Point Fire Department that brought Reid to the Wyndham Championship. After beginning his tenure as a firefighter in 1981, Reid later moved to the administrative side of the department, allowing him to become more involved in community events. One of the organizations with which he got involved was the United Way of High Point, which sponsors Hole No. 4 during the Wyndham Championship. From there, the cart path led to Sedgefield. Over his seven years volunteering with United Way, Reid climbed the Wyndham Championship ladder, starting as a gallery marshal before later becoming the hole captain. It’s easy to tell Reid is proud of the job and takes it quite seriously. "For the last several years, I've been the hole captain," Reid said, "I organize all the volunteers for the hole and place them. Then, I run the tee box for the starter," He knows the ins and outs of volunteering on this tricky par four, well, like the contours of the Donald Ross-designed fairway that turns to the left but slopes to the right. "Hole No. 4 is a blind hole," Reid explained. "It's up the hill and turns a little to the left. [I'm] able to stand there and give the ok from the radio for the guys to hit." Sometimes, with a blind hole like No. 4, it can become a bit of a frenzy for the volunteers, but 4
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to Reid, that's all part of the job and the enjoyment. "It's a lot of work," Reid said. "Sometimes it gets pretty hectic, especially when a ball goes out of bounds. Everyone is frantic about where the ball is -I enjoy being the starter and running that tee box. I've met a lot of nice people." People, friendly people, that is. Reid mentioned an abundance of them at the Wyndham Championship, and the friends he's made are one of his favorite parts of volunteering. Whether it's the families, fans, other volunteers or just about anyone else, Reid loves making new friends. "One of the biggest benefits of volunteering with the Wyndham is the people you meet," Reid explained. "Some of the players' families that walk the holes will stop and talk to you. It’s a really good relationship with those families and the fans. It gives you an opportunity to meet and talk to a lot of people.” Making friends is wonderful, but Reid also enjoys interacting with the 156 PGA TOUR professionals that play hole No. 4, but it's also a challenge. Each of them is different. "The biggest worry I have with the players is they each have their own thing," Reid said. "They all have their habits. I don't want to do anything that will mess with their 'mojo,' as I call it." "I try to watch the caddies to learn about the players," Reid noted. "I try to stand where I can see the ball, so I can tell people which way it's coming up across the hill. I also make sure to stay out of the player's area - and their backswing!" "You get to meet these players in a different light," Reid continued. "It's really a different world. You see that these players are all human, just like us. They're guys who are competitive and really good at golf." But still, for Reid, it's always been the people who make his experience so special. "It's been a great experience,'' Reid said. "You build relationships with people you've met year after year. You come back out on the course and see people again, and they know who you are." With all of those good relationships, memories and interactions with some of the best golfers in the world, it's a safe bet this volunteer of the year will stay on the tee sheet long into the future. "As long as I'm able, healthy and can be beneficial to United Way and the Wyndham, I'm going to continue working,'' Reid added. For years to come, the Wyndham Championship will have more than just a hole chief at No. 4 - it'll have a fire chief, a United Way champion and the 2021 Volunteer of the Year. Story Courtesy of Essex Thaye
www.highpointnc.gov
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CHP GAP APPRENTICES The City of High Point is a proud member of Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP). GAP is an apprenticeship program comprised of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, Business High Point-Chamber of Commerce, Guilford County Schools, Guilford Technical Community College and more than 30 local companies. The program gives rising high school seniors and recent graduates an opportunity to further their education debtfree while gaining paid work experience. Upon completion of GAP, students receive their associate’s degree and a journeyman’s certificate and have a well-paying job waiting for them. At the GAP Graduation and Signing Ceremony on Aug. 11, four apprentices signed with the City of High Point. We are excited to announce that the following City of High Point employees are participating in the GAP program: • Gregory Carter- Public Services W/S Plant Maintenance Division • Nathaniel Ivey- Public Services W/S Plant Maintenance Division • Tucker Messinger- Fleet Maintenance Department • Ricardo Sanchez- Public Services Materials Recovery Facility
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HIGH POINT THEATRE THE 2022-23 SEASON IS HERE AND READY FOR YOU The High Point Theatre’s 47th season officially kicked off in July and will conclude through April 2023. Scheduled performances combine an incredible, eclectic mix of new artists and seasoned veterans. The lineup includes some fan favorites that speak to all genres and all ages and vividly demonstrates that there’s something for everyone! For more information regarding the upcoming performance season and to purchase tickets, please contact the box office Monday – Friday from noon to 5 p.m. at 336.887.3001 or visit www.highpointtheatre.com.
www.highpointnc.gov
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ELECTRIC UTILITIES TYLER BERRIER NAMED NEW DIRECTOR Tyler Berrier has accepted the position of electric utilities director with the City of High Point and will begin his new role immediately. As the director, Berrier will manage the Electric Operations Department, which includes responsibility for electric distribution lines, substations and street and outdoor lighting. The Electric Operations Department has 65 full-time employees and a $134.1 million operating budget. Berrier has been with the City of High Point since 2014 and has served as a civil engineer, public services manager and, most recently, assistant director of electric utilities. Before joining the City of High Point, he was with the North Carolina Department of Transportation in various roles from 2005-2014. Berrier has a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and he is a licensed professional engineer. 8
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ELECTRICITIES PRESENTS RISING STAR AWARD Tyler Berrier received the Public Power Rising Star Award at the 2022 ElectriCities Annual Conference on Aug. 10, 2022. The Public Power Rising Star Award recognizes an up-and-coming leader who has less than 10 years of experience and who has made significant and sustained contributions to the electric utility industry and to public power specifically. Berrier has been the assistant director of electric utilities for the City of High Point since July 2018 and was recently promoted to director of electric utilities in July 2022. He has worked on numerous projects and has been a leader in the department and the city. He has helped guide technological advances in the department, such as the creation of an online streetlight outage reporting system. He has also been one of the critical leaders of the Automated Metering Initiative (AMI) project that the City of High Point kicked off this year. In his short time with the Department, Berrier has made significant contributions to the electric utility industry and to public power specifically.
HIGH POINT EDC In July, High Point Economic Development (High Point EDC) brought two clients before City Council for a public hearing, launched an e-newsletter and toured new Assistant City Manager Damon Duquenne and new Planning Director Sushil Nepal around the city’s industrial sites and business parks. PROJECTS High Point EDC brought Coldwell Banker Advantage and Ethnicraft USA before City Council for Public Hearing, both of which were unanimously authorized for incentives. Coldwell Banker Advantage of High Point is considering relocating its current office at 2212 Eastchester Drive to The Bedrock building in The Outfields at 275 N. Elm St., where it would lease up to 6,190 square feet. The project would move 38 sales and management positions downtown and add 21 new sales positions over three years. Coldwell Banker Advantage anticipates making a location decision within the third quarter of this year. Ethnicraft is a Belgian-based furniture design, manufacturing and distribution company. To meet growing demand, Ethnicraft USA is considering building a new warehouse and distribution facility in Gallimore Industrial Center at 750
Gallimore Dairy Road. If the project goes through, Ethnicraft USA would purchase the land, invest $17,920,000 to construct the new facility, retain 43 existing positions and add 25 new positions. Ethnicraft USA anticipates finalizing a decision by or in the fourth quarter of this year. E-NEWSLETTER The department also launched its first e-newsletter via iContact last month to over 550 contacts. The communication will occur on a quarterly basis; though the first edition covered the first two quarters of 2022. Announcements are shared in three categories: recruit – all projects that choose to locate to High Point, retain – all projects that choose to relocate or expand within the city and revitalize – all projects and initiatives that spur economic impact in targeted areas such as the Downtown and Southwest. High Point EDC will also send special announcements in real-time – so be sure to subscribe! TOUR To welcome new Assistant City Manager Damon Duquenne and new Planning Director Sushil Nepal, High Point EDC toured them around the city’s industrial sites and business parks The group visited High Point North, Piedmont Corporate Park, Gallimore Industrial Park, Piedmont Centre, Premier Center and more. The tour provided the new team members with a further understanding of the city’s boundaries and areas for economic development opportunities.
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM High Point Museum hosted a National Night Out movie night on Aug. 2. Attendees enjoyed a movie in the Historical Park at the event designed to promote neighborhood spirit and police-community partnership.
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HISTORICAL SOCIETY GRANT PROJECT FOR DIGITAL COLLECTION The High Point Historical Society has recently received a subsidized digital assessment report from the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts (CCAHA), completing its project funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities Digital Preservation Assessment Program grant. A CCAHA preservation professional specifically trained in the digital assessment methodology prepared a report in close consultation with the museum’s registrar, Corinne Midgett. The survey process included an evaluation of the museum’s preservation needs related to digital collections. The final document provides a framework to increase the accessibility of collection items via digitization, move systems toward optimal levels of standards and practices and address specific concerns. “It was an invaluable opportunity to work with CCAHA,” Corinne Midgett, museum registrar, said. “In her report, Maggie Downing, CCAHA Manager of Digital Imaging, affirmed that we’re moving in the right direction and identified areas for growth and improvement. We’re excited to continue our digital preservation projects in-house and through grant funding and partnerships.” This assessment helps to bridge the gap between in-house preparation and public access for several digital collections the museum has acquired through the Historical Society. The project has led to a deeper understanding of the needs and principles of digital preservation and supports the museum’s mission to preserve and share historical resources with the community. www.highpointnc.gov
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PUBLIC SERVICES KEEP HIGH POINT BEAUTIFUL Keep High Point Beautiful, High Point Police and the High Point Fire Department hosted the 2022 Summer Trash Smash. Gift cards were donated from many local businesses and then given to participating Police and Fire personnel to distribute to residents who were seen doing beautiful things to help care for our community!
STREET MAINTENANCE This month, the Street Maintenance Division worked to help place some new trash receptacles in the Mendenhall Terminal. The units arrived in the middle of a rainstorm, and staff worked to get them unloaded and placed. Ensuring that our city has ample trash and recycling receptacles in high pedestrian traffic areas is critical to keeping litter at bay. Thank you for working in all kinds of weather to get the job done!
www.highpointnc.gov
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COMMUNITY BRANDING PROJECT POP-UP EVENTS The City of High Point Marketing & Branding Taskforce and placemaking marketing agency CivicBrand will host pop-up events at eight locations throughout the city from Wednesday, Aug. 31 through Saturday, Sept. 3, to engage with the community and gather feedback from residents for the community branding project. Members of the Branding High Point Committee and CivicBrand will be at the following locations: • D-UP, Inc. (613 Washington St. High Point, N.C. 27260) on Aug. 31 at 4 p.m. • Goofy Foot Taproom (2762 NC-68, Suite 109, High Point, N.C. 27265) on Aug. 31 at 5 p.m. • Lil’s Coffee Bar (410 W. English Road, High Point, N.C. 27262) on Sept. 1 at 9 a.m. • Paddled South Brewery (602 N. Main St., High Point, N.C. 27260) on Sept. 1 at 4 p.m. • Visit High Point (1634 N. Main St. Suite 102, High Point, N.C. 27262) on Sept. 1 at 5 p.m. • 83 Custom Coffee (1212 N. Main St., High Point, N.C. 27260) on Sept. 2 at 9 a.m. • Stock + Grain Foodhall (301 N. Elm St., High Point, N.C. 27262) on Sept. 2 at 5 p.m. • John Coltrane Festival (1841 Eastchester Drive, High Point, N.C. 27265) on Sept. 3 at 3 p.m. 16
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These events are open to the public and will include branding activities, games and giveaways. Residents who cannot attend an event are encouraged to take the community survey at www. brandinghighpoint.com. The goal of the community branding project is to develop a community-wide brand that supports and elevates all city organizations, entities, businesses and residents. While there is a visual design component, the project also includes brand messaging, economic development strategies, brand experience and more. For more information on this initiative, CivicBrand and to hear our new podcast, visit www.brandinghighpoint.com.
www.highpointnc.gov
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CHP NEW HIRES & PROMOTIONS Congratulations: Randal Tolbert - Signal Systems Tech to Signal Systems Supervisor William Brooks - Motor Equipment Operator II to Sanitation Equipment Operator II Shane Painter – Firefighter Master II to Fire Equipment Operator I Amanda Madden - Telecommunicator Master to Administrative Specialist I Brandon Buckner - Fire Equipment Operator II to Fire Captain I Kyle Thaggard - Telecommunicators Supervisor to Telecommunicator Manager Nathan Mckinney - Fire Equipment Operator II to Fire Captain I John Gough - Fire Fighter, Master II to Fire Equipment Operator I Larry Brunson - Fire Equipment Operator II to Fire Captain I Perry Hall - Fire Emergency Manager to Assistant Fire Chief Hillary Gyamfi - Recreation Attendant to Program Activity Leader
Welcome: Michael Beck - Public Services Scale House Operator
Christian Pfahlert - Police Officer Trainee
Blake Carpenter - Police Officer Trainee
Michelle Pickenpack - Parks & Recreation Camp Ann Counselor
Mary Davis - Transportation Services Transit Operator I
Crystal Reese - Parks & Recreation Park Attendant
Brittany Elliott - Parks & Recreation Summer Camp Counselor
Amy Schumer - Museum Store Attendant
Jonathan Furr - Librarian
Preston Smith - Public Services Landfill Equipment Operator
Cornelius Ganther - Public Services Scale House Operator
Shiloh Turner - Parks & Recreation Camp Ann Counselor
Rhonitta Hayes - Planning & Development Permits Specialist
Hunter Welch - Public Services Motor Equipment Operator I
Pierce Lewis - Parks & Recreation Seasonal Park Attendant
Devin Williams - Transportation Services Traffic Signal Tech I
Des'tri Martin - Transportation Services Transit Operator I
Shail Workman - Transportation Services Transit Operator I
Richard Masters - Public Services Sanitation Equipment Operator I Rosi Perez Garcia - Police Officer Trainee
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INSIDE HIGH POINT Brought to you by: City of High Point Communications and Public Engagement Department High Point, N.C. 27260 336.883.3288 Noelle.Miller@HighPointNC.gov