Issuu

AUG

2021

• Coaching Local Students • Annual Meeting • Remember When

EMPLOYEE NEWS

JACKSON EMC’S GROWING MEMBERSHIP CALLS FOR

SYSTEM EXPANSION

Over the last two years, Jackson EMC has added more than 10,000 new meters. Many of these new members are located in the triangle between Flowery Branch, Buford and Braselton. The cooperative also sees rapid growth in Oakwood, west of Jefferson and south of Winder. Many new residential members are moving into new multi-family housing complexes or large subdivisions such as Del Webb at Chateau Elan, a retirement community planned to have 721 homes. Our commercial membership is also growing at a rapid rate. According to Jonathan Weaver, Director of System Engineering, many medical buildings and restaurants are under construction in our service area, and three new schools are being built this year in Jackson EMC’s territory. “We have several large commercial accounts under construction right now,” said Jonathan. “Some of those include distribution centers, cold storage facilities and schools. This increase in demand requires us to improve and expand our system.” This rise in residential and commercial members calls for continuous improvements and additions to Jackson EMC’s electrical infrastructure. Currently, Jackson EMC has 81 substations. Jackson EMC is actively planning for future substations and system improvements to serve the growing membership and demand. “Over the coming years, we plan to build five new substations,” said Jonathan. “Those include Thompson Bridge and Copper Mines in Hall County, Roy Parks in Hall County, McClure Industrial in Jackson County and Flanagan Mill in Barrow County. In addition to new substations, some of our existing substations will receive updates.” “These substations, along with other system upgrades such as pole replacements and automated switches, will help us continue to provide our members with reliable service,” said Jonathan.

81 2 5 EXISTING

RECEIVING UPGRADES

Beaver Ruin Chestnut Mountain

FUTURE PLANNED

Thompson Bridge, Hall County

Copper Mines,* Hall County

Roy Parks,

Hall County

McClure Industrial, Jackson County

Flanagan Mill, Barrow County

*Replacing Copper Pines, which will be retired.

CO-OP COACHES WHO CARE As a cooperative, Jackson EMC embraces the principle of concern for the community. Jackson EMC employees serve as coaches to students throughout north Georgia in various sports, from soccer and basketball to 4-H Project SAFE Shooting Sports. Many Jackson EMC employees who coach said they decided to serve as coaches based on childhood experiences. Some remembered the positive effect a coach had on their lives; for others, it was the lack of a coach or opportunity. And for some, their own child’s involvement influenced them to get involved. Journeyman Lineman Craig Etris remembers when his son was four years old playing YMCA baseball. “They thought they had a coach, but it turned out they didn’t. So, I became the head coach,” Craig said.

WE VALUE

COMMUNITIES

Craig loved baseball and relished teaching children how to play the game. His coaching career continued when his son moved to a Hall County recreation team and then to a travel ball team. “My son is 11 now. He’s still playing travel ball, and I’m still coaching—loving every minute of it,” he said. Jennifer Fennell, Senior Business Development Manager, has a deep history and love of soccer. “I love the game,” said Jennifer, who played soccer for 15 years and became a referee at the age of 14. After coaching recreational soccer for many years, she started coaching at the Gwinnett Soccer Academy when she had children.

Jennifer Fennell with her soccer team.

“Playing in the pandemic year of 2020 created a challenging season,” said Jennifer, “but all the children were excited to get back on the field.”

Craig Etris with his basebell team.

Hillary Corey, Recruiting Specialist, saw coaching soccer and basketball as an opportunity to invest in the lives of young girls and offer them the same opportunities she was given.

“Long after you coach them and they have grown into young women and young men, you see how your involvement with them had a positive impact on their lives.” — Tom Rigsby, Director of Purchasing

Hillary Corey with her soccer team.

Remember When? Tom Rigsby with the 4-H shooting team.

“Playing sports taught me so much about perseverance, work ethic, and discipline,” she said. “I am forever grateful to the many coaches who spent their time and effort coaching me.” Hillary said serving as a coach reminds her what is important in life. “It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle and bustle. Life is about relationships, and coaching allows me to focus on those relationships,” said Hillary. Tom Rigsby, Director of Purchasing, started as a volunteer coach for his daughter’s 4-H BB gun team. After the other coaches left because their kids had graduated, “I was left in charge, so to speak,” said Tom. Soon, he became head coach for the Jackson County 4-H Project SAFE BB Gun Team and later started and served as head coach for the 22 Rifle Team.

Jackson EMC retiree Melanie Berryman recalls training her first week on the job in 1985 as a field service representative in the Neese District. “Jack Thomason was teaching me how to pull a meter,” said Melanie. “In the process I made the mistake of standing directly in front of the meter base used for training located outside the Old Neese office back door. I pulled the meter towards me, and it popped out and broke my front tooth off. I enjoyed my time in the position that started my career at Jackson EMC. My tooth was repaired, and I remember the circumstance each time I look in the mirror and learned the lesson well!”

“Serving as a coach has made me much more aware of the tremendous responsibility you assume,” said Tom. “It becomes more than coaching a winning team or taking home a trophy, more than teaching skills in a sport. You are teaching invaluable life skills to young people. It is the realization of how much you can influence kids in a positive way that is the greatest reward.” Tom summed up the coaching experience: “In some ways, they become your own kids, not just a group of children. Long after you coach them and they have grown into young women and young men, you see how your involvement with them had a positive impact on their lives.”

Retiree Melanie Berryman wears her Jackson EMC jacket from her first week on the job.

Do you have a story you would like to share? Reach out to Casey Abernathy, Employee Communication Representative, at cabernathy@jacksonemc.com

SAVE THE DATE

ANNUAL MEETING AROUND THE CORNER Jackson EMC employees are gearing up for the Annual Meeting on September 16. We are excited to host an in-person event this year.

WE VALUE MEMBERS

Employees should stay tuned to JToday for more information about Annual Meeting.

WE VALUE

welcome & congrats

EMPLOYEES

JORDAN PUCKETT has been selected for the Part-time Contact Center Representative position.

ADRIANA NGUYEN has been selected for the Part-time Contact Center Representative position.

TED FULLER has been selected for the System Control Coordinator position.

JOSH BRIDWELL joined Jackson EMC as a Field Engineer with Corporate Engineering.

CAREY SMIDA joined Jackson EMC as a Business Analyst with the IT Department.

DYLAN BARNES joined Jackson EMC as a High School Intern with the Jefferson District Warehouse.

PULIN SHUKLA joined Jackson EMC as a College Intern with Tech Services.

TRENTON BRADSHAW has been selected for the Metering Technician position with Tech Services.

jacksonemc.com