Issuu

OCT

2021

• Annual Meeting Recap • Co-op Month • Leadership Spotlight • Open Enrollment

EMPLOYEE NEWS

OAKWOOD UPDATE The Oakwood office expansion and renovation are complete! In mid-April, Oakwood employees moved into the new 7,500 square-foot addition of office space created at the front of the building while the original office space was gutted and renovated. Employees have now moved into their permanent offices. The updated Oakwood office has a meeting area that can accommodate more than 100 employees, as well as additional truck and trailer bays, a new entrance to the pole yard, designated employee and member parking areas and a new front entrance. A new fitness center has also been added with the equipment to be delivered by the end of the year. “This project took a total of 16 months,” said Mark Reynolds, Director of Facilities. “The employees in Oakwood did a great job of being flexible and working safely during the expansion and renovation.” “Our employees are excited to be in their new offices,” said Chris Kelly, District Director of Engineering and Operations in Gainesville. “We are all so grateful to have this new and upgraded facility to call ours. We now have the space we need to serve our members efficiently.”

“The employees in Oakwood did a great job of being flexible and working safely during the expansion and renovation.” —Mark Reynolds, Director of Facilities

ANNUAL MEETING RECAP Employees and members enjoyed another fantastic Annual Meeting on September 16. The event highlighted Jackson EMC’s success over the past year and honored the work of our employees in many ways, including our focus on innovation and our members as we move forward. The 2021 Annual Meeting looked a little different as the event was scaled back to only the business session, box chicken dinner, door prizes and entertainment by Karen Peck and New River. Annual Meeting was a success thanks to the hard work and dedication of the entire Jackson EMC family.

WE VALUE

MEMBERS

THE SEVEN COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES

CELEBRATE NATIONAL CO-OP MONTH

Voluntary and open membership

ACE Hardware, State Farm, REI, Land O’Lakes and Jackson EMC share something in common: We’re all cooperatives.

Democratic member control

We may be in different industries, but we all share a passion for serving our members and helping our communities thrive. All cooperatives adhere to the same set of seven principles that reflect our core values of honesty, transparency, equity, inclusiveness and service to the greater community good.

Member economic participation

October is National Co-op Month, so this is the perfect time to reflect on these principles that have stood the test of time and provide a framework for the future. As we join other cooperatives across the country in celebrating, let’s remember the principles that make co-ops unique.

Autonomy and independence Education, training and information Cooperation among cooperatives Concern for community

LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT:

DWAYNE ANSLEY

VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES In the coming months, each issue of JEMClips will feature a member of Jackson EMC’s Leadership Team discussing both work and personal life. We kick off this new series with Dwayne Ansley, Vice President, Operations Support Services.

Q: Dwayne, where did you grow up, and what’s your educational background and/or special training for your job? A: I grew up in Mt. Airy in Habersham County and earned a Bachelor of Science in agricultural engineering from the University of Georgia in 1984. I’m also a graduate of UGA’s Management Development program and NRECA’s Management Internship Program. Q: What led to your interest in Operations Support Services (OSS)? A: While a student at UGA, I worked in Jackson EMC’s Engineering Department in 1983 and 1984. From 1985 to 1987, I worked for Satilla REMC in Alma as their distribution engineer, and I came back to Jackson EMC in 1987 as an engineer. I became a senior engineer in 1990, was named district coordinator of engineering and operations for the Jefferson District in 1992, became director of operations services in 1999, and was promoted to vice president, operations support services in 2016. Q: What’s the biggest thing OSS has going on right now? A: Operations Support Services includes four departments focused on supporting all areas of the company. Through Facilities, Fleet Services, Purchasing, and Safety and Training, we provide support to all departments so they can focus on providing service to our members. In Safety and Training, we continually promote and focus on safety with required monthly training and ongoing communication with employees. Safety was the top-rated category in the 2021 Employee Engagement Survey, which shows that safety is important to everyone at Jackson EMC. In Fleet Services and Purchasing, our biggest challenges currently are manufacturing and the effects of the pandemic on the supply chain. The increasing lead times and costs for vehicles and materials are daily challenges. In Facilities, we recently wrapped up a big renovation project at Oakwood and are currently managing a project for a backup system control center on our Gwinnett campus. Q: What keeps you up at night? A: Being responsible for our culture of safety with the Safety and Training team, I wonder if we’re doing all we can to keep our employees safe. I also ask myself if I’m doing everything I can to make sure the OSS directors have all they need to successfully lead their departments.

Q: What’s your leadership philosophy? A: Leading is a skill we can all develop. You learn to lead by learning to follow, and when opportunities arise, you step up and practice leading. Leadership development requires an internal desire, and you have to be self-motivated. Managing and leading are two different things. Managing is getting the work done, but leading is helping those around you perform to their best ability to accomplish common goals. That’s a skill we can continue to develop and improve as we grow. When you realize that leading is not about getting the work done but helping the people around you accomplish goals, you can become more effective.

LIGHTNING ROUND Q: If you could put a quote on a billboard for everyone to read, what would it say? A: “There is no limit to what a man can accomplish if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.” I was at the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce around 10 years ago and saw this quote on a plaque that sat on Robert Woodruff’s desk when he was president of the Coca-Cola Company. I took a picture and have had it posted in my office since. Q: What job taught you a critical skill set that you continue to use? A: During the 18 years I spent as director of operations, I did the most to develop my leadership skills and learned that leadership is about helping those around you be their best. Q: What hobbies do you enjoy? A: I enjoy watching UGA football and Braves baseball, spending time with my wife and family, and being outdoors. We hike, bike, run and camp. I also like gardening, yardwork and home improvement projects. Q: What’s your favorite thing about Jackson EMC (besides the awesome people)? A: My favorite thing about Jackson EMC is the opportunities here. You can accomplish whatever you want with patience and perseverance. I’ve been at Jackson EMC since 1987 and have held five positions, all promotions. Jackson EMC has given me opportunities and supported me in growing professionally and personally, and I am very thankful. Q: Beach or mountains? A: Mountains. We have a place up in the mountains. That’s our happy place.

OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Open enrollment is around the corner. The open enrollment period runs from November 1–12, according to Gina Mixon, Director of Benefits and Employee Development. “Jackson EMC will be using Employee Navigator again this year for employees and retirees to make their benefits selections online. Employees can also call the enrollment support center at 1-855-520-6769 to make their benefits selections by phone,” said Gina.

welcome & congrats

ABBY UZZELL joined Jackson EMC as a College Intern with the Strategic Planning and Analytics Department.

JOHN WILLS joined Jackson EMC as a Lineman Apprentice with the Gwinnett District.

KIM RODRIGUE is transitioning to the Billing and Member Support Specialist position.

YOSSELYN CARCAMO-DISCUA joined Jackson EMC as a Part-time Contact Center Representative.

GREGORY GARNER joined Jackson EMC as a Lineman Apprentice with the Gwinnett District.

MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ joined Jackson EMC as a Lineman with the Gwinnett District.

New this year, Jackson EMC will offer current full-time employees a Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) and a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA). Employees can learn more about these two new benefit options on JToday.

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WE VALUE

EMPLOYEES

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