Conway Corp Annual Report | 2019

MAKING EVERY DAY A LITTLE BRIGHTER.

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C O N W A Y

A N N U A L

C O R P

R E P O R T

TABLE of CONTENTS Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Excellence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Innovation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Reliability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Leadership. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Always On. What does it mean to be Always On? Our customers know the answer. It means handling day-to-day needs quickly and efficiently, yes, but that’s just the beginning. For us, it’s about constantly looking ahead and planning for what’s next – whether that involves preparing for a weekend storm or investing in a solar farm that will pay off years from now. Simply put, Always On is our committment to serving Conway. Day and night, 24/7/365. It’s about taking care of the people who matter most.

Just like you.

WE KEEP THINGS FLOWING. Just

like you.

It takes a lot to keep things running smoothly – at home, on the job or out in the community.

You know that as well as we do. From monitoring water quality to moving power lines, our team is always busy with projects. They don’t always get noticed, but we know they’re always appreciated.

METER UPGRADES

electric and water metering systems. While electric

New technology and communication capabilities are

meter upgrades were completed in 2018, we

essential to maintaining the service our customers

are continuing to replace water meters.

help keep water bills more accurate while

expect. Advanced meters and other technology

allowing us to diagnose problems that impact

upgrades provide a cost-effective way to ensure

data automatically and securely with our

service – like water leaks – much quicker.

efficient and reliable utility service.

office. Two-way communication eliminates

the need for a manual meter and provides

80% complete in 2019, and upgrades are

As a part of planned technology improvements,

Conway Corp has continued making upgrades to our

These new meters transmit and receive

alerts to help with troubleshooting and preventative

maintenance so we can provide even better service.

Information coming from the meters will

Water meter deployment was nearly

expected to be finished by the end of 2020.

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MARKHAM STREET CORRIDOR Conway Corp partnered with the City of Conway Transportation Department and the Chamber of Commerce Downtown Partnership to coordinate utility upgrades to the Markham Street Corridor.

Our crews worked to upgrade utilities in the area in conjunction with the city’s downtown beautification project. Utility work on phase one was complete in 2019.

A LU M TA N K R E P L AC E M E N T AT R O G E R Q M I L L S We installed a new tank that increased capacity at the Roger Q Mills Water Treatment Plant. In addition, heat trace was added to prevent freezing during the winter months.

DONAGHEY CORRIDOR Conway Corp spent 2019 focused on investing in infrastructure and capital improvements to support the city’s street improvement plans.

Water and electric department crews worked

along Donaghey Avenue from Dave Ward Drive to College Avenue moving power lines and replacing water and sewer mains in preparation for the city’s road construction.

Crews will complete phase one and begin working

on phase two in 2020.

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WAT E R Q UA L I T Y & S U P P LY

In 2018, some Conway Corp customers experienced a

natural organic compounds, taste and odor

change in their water’s taste and odor. To determine

compounds and synthetic organic chemicals in

a course of action to address these issues, Conway

drinking water treatment.

Corp partnered with Garver Engineers, Arizona State

University and the University of Central Arkansas to

at our water treatment facility. The study revealed

conduct a bench scale study to analyze our drinking

that we should add carbon intake at the water

water treatment.

source to help alleviate taste and odor issues.

In March 2019, our board of directors approved a

Activated carbon is commonly used to absorb

Prior to the study, Conway Corp used this process

Our engineering and water departments

five-year contract with the UCA College of Natural

implemented an interim solution in 2019 to allow us

Science and Mathematics for them to continue

to treat water at Brewer Lake and hope to complete

testing water for the natural constituents that

construction on a permanent solution in 2020.

impact taste and odor. The UCA Biology Department

has taken a leadership role, providing undergraduate

management, stabilization of the lake banks and

and graduate students the opportunity to be a part

other ways to protect the lake and maintain a high

of water quality monitoring tests.

quality of water for our community.

This proactive testing will help Conway Corp have

an early understanding of the occurrence of these

supply study with Crist Engineers in 2019 to ensure

nuisance constituents from natural algal activity in

our infrastructure and water source can supply safe,

the lake and allow appropriate treatment changes to

clean and plentiful drinking water to our growing

ensure good-tasting water for our customers.

community for years to come.

Our teams are also actively engaged in timber

In addition, we entered into a long-term water

I-40 LIGHTING PROJECT Street lighting is a critical element of functionality in any community. It increases safety for drivers and pedestrians, and improves the overall look and feel for residents, as well as visitors. The right lighting can even improve safety for the utility teams who install and maintain it. So a lot of thought and planning went into our recent I-40 lighting project at the Highway 25 interchange. Highlights include:

85 LIGHTS

LIGHT

LED EFFICIENCY

Our team installed 85 street

DISTRIBUTION

Using LED lights saves

lights at the Highway 25

Pole height is also important

money and power, which are

interchange. Lighting is

for adequate, consistent

important considerations.

particularly important in

lighting. In general, areas

However, they also improve

high traffic areas like this

with higher speed limits

safety for our own team

one, as drivers need to

need higher-mounted lights.

because the lighting

clearly see the road, other

These new lights range from

lasts much longer than

cars and potential debris or

40 to 50 feet tall, providing

traditional bulbs, meaning

other hazards.

excellent illumination.

they do not have to be changed as often. This is an important consideration in a high-traffic area that can be difficult to service.

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ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD. Just

like you.

When your organization is powered by people, victories are shared by all.

The Conway Corp team is always thrilled to honor the hard work and talents of our own – whether those accomplishments come in the form of continuing education, promotion, recognition or retirement. Here’s to a job well done.

MICHAEL CHAPMAN PROMOTED

relationships with major accounts and assists the

T O D I R E C T O R , P O W E R S U P P LY

direction of Conway Corp’s energy efficiency efforts.

& MAJOR ACCOUNTS

Chapman began working for Conway Corp in

Conway Corp promoted Michael Chapman to director

November 2005 as a land acquisition coordinator.

of power supply and major accounts in January

He was promoted to manager of major accounts in

2019. In this role, Chapman oversees the direction

December 2006 and to assistant director of power

of Conway Corp’s power supply efforts, manages

supply and major accounts in May 2016.

MICHAEL CHAPMAN

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BETH McCULLOUGH JIMMERSON

MID-AMERICA CABLE

T E L E CO M M U N I C AT I O N S

Champion Award for outstanding achievement in

A SS O C I AT I O N

cable leadership.

Twenty Conway Corp employees were recognized in

September 2019 with Customer Service Excellence

with Extra Mile CSE awards. Extra Mile Awards are

Awards at the Mid-America Cable Show in Kansas

presented to individuals whose customer service

City, Missouri.

resolution goes above and beyond the responsibility

of their normal job duties.

The Mid-America Cable Telecommunications

Lesia White was presented with the Cable

Tracy Ferrell and Corey Free were presented

Association was founded in 1958 to help

telecommunication providers in the Midwest promote

Johnston-Jeffus, Nicole Pizzolato and Coleen Spiker-

technical excellence, superior customer service,

Wilson were presented with CSE Sales awards.

BETH McCULLOUGH

exemplary marketing and student scholarship.

JIMMERSON PROMOTED

Maxfield, Robert McCray, Justin Moore, Andrew Nelson,

TO MANAGER, MARKETING

operators in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri,

Diana Pollard, Brian Robinson, Jake Stewart and Eleise

& CO M M U N I C AT I O N S

Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.

Wood Myers were presented with CSE Service awards.

Conway Corp promoted Beth McCullough Jimmerson to manager of the marketing and communications department in June 2019. Jimmerson provides creative leadership in the development and implementation of Conway Corp’s marketing, as well as internal and external communications.

Jimmerson began her career at Conway Corp

in April 2011 as a marketing coordinator and was promoted to senior marketing coordinator in July 2018.

Members include telecommunications systems

Eric Bell, Jane Harrison, Michelle Hatfield, Kelly

Brent Brown, James Buggs, Blake Jones, Sean

TOWER OF EXCELLENCE

CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD:

SAFETY LEADERSHIP AWARD:

AWARD: CHRIS BOUDREAUX

M I C H E L L E H AT F I E L D

RICK McPHERSON

Conway Corp honored Operations System

Conway Corp is dedicated to exceeding customers’

We are dedicated to doing things the right way and

Coordinator Chris Boudreaux with the company’s

expectations through the exceptional work of its

refuse to compromise the safety of ourselves, our

Tower of Excellence Award.

employees and recognizes employees annually

co-workers or our customers.

for their individual dedication to the mission of

has made a significant impact on Conway Corp

the company.

recognizes an employee each year for his or her

through outstanding dedication and exceptional

safety efforts. This year, Plant Maintenance Worker

job performance. Boudreaux was nominated by

Hatfield was honored with the Customer Service

Rick McPherson earned the company’s annual Safety

his fellow co-workers for going above and beyond

Award. Hatfield was nominated by her fellow

Leadership Award. McPherson was nominated by his

in 2019.

co-workers for going above and beyond her job

fellow co-workers for going above and beyond his job

duties in 2019.

duties in 2019.

and exceptional job performance in developing

the Advanced Metering Initiative and Outage

provides is focused on what she can do to help her

safety in mind for himself and others in his department.

Management System program and seeing it through

customers. She is a valuable asset to the company,

to its potential has made a significant impact on

the customer service department and her immediate

everything from Brewer Lake to the water plant to all

Conway Corp and its customers. This four-year

call center team. Most importantly, to our customers.

tanks and pump stations are in good working order.

development required many long hours, both in and

They ask for her by name and compliment her

He makes sure everything is safe to work around, safe

out of the office, often without recognition of that

repeatedly. She defines the level of service that we

to enter and safe for the public.”

time and effort.”

want for all of our customers.”

water department.

The award recognizes an employee who

One nomination for him said, “His dedication

Boudreaux started at Conway Corp in 1999 as

This year, Customer Care Specialist Michelle

One nomination for her said, “The service she

Hatfield started at Conway Corp in 2002 as

a GIS coordinator in the engineering

a receptionist. In 2006, she moved to

department. In 2018, he was

the call center and became

promoted to operations

a customer care specialist.

To honor that commitment, Conway Corp

One nomination for him said he continually keeps “Rick goes above and beyond to ensure

McPherson started at Conway Corp in 2007 in the

system coordinator.

CHRIS BOUDREAUX

M I C H E L L E H AT F I E L D

RICK McPHERSON

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MID-AMERICA MIDI AWARDS Conway Corp’s production department won a first-place MIDI Award at the 2019 MidAmerica Cable Show.

Senior Programming Coordinator Ryan Tucker

and Production Coordinator Ashtyn Brown were recognized for their work in the community series program category for shows airing on Conway Corp Channel 5/585.

The Mid-America Cable Telecommunications

Association presents MIDI Awards to honor the best advertising and programming among association members in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.

Conway Corp competed against similar-sized

systems with 10,001-50,000 cable subscribers.

BEST OF THE BEST AWARDS

A P PA CO M M U N I C AT I O N S

Conway Corp was awarded Faulkner County’s Best

EXCELLENCE AWARDS

and were given to utilities that showed ingenuity

Cable Provider, Best Security Provider and Best

Conway Corp received two Excellence in Public Power

and creativity in copy, design, graphics, social media,

Conway Business in the Log Cabin Democrat’s 2019

Communications Awards from the American Public

video editing and web, as well as communicate the

Readers’ Choice Awards.

Power Association.

utility’s special story.

The awards are voted on annually by Faulkner

The APPA presented Conway Corp with an Award

Awards recognize excellence in communications

Conway Corp was honored in the Web & Social

County residents, and more than 200,000 votes

of Excellence in the Web & Social Media category and

Media category for our campaign “Powered by

were cast during the 2019 poll.

an Award of Merit in the Print & Digital category.

Conway Corp,” which highlighted our employees.

RETIREMENTS Sharon Johnson

Bob Fason

Johnson first joined Conway Corp in 1998 as an

Fason was hired in August 1989 as a technician

accounting technician responsible for payroll

in the cable department and was promoted

and accounts payable. After briefly leaving the

to foreman in October 2002. His duties were

company in 2005, she was rehired in March 2009

expanded in January 2017, and he was promoted

as an account technician in fixed assets.

to CATV maintenance/trouble superintendent.

Charles Jobe

Mike Credit

Jobe began working at Conway Corp in May 1996

Credit was hired at Conway Corp as a laborer

as a meter reader in the business department,

in the water department in June 1976. He was

helping read more than 60,000 water and electric

promoted to water systems foreman in July 1987

meters each month. He spent his career serving

and again in March 2005 to water systems

customers in the field.

senior foreman.

17 YEARS

23 YEARS

30 YEARS

43 YEARS

Charles Green 28 YEARS

Green started at Conway Corp in June 1991 as a part-time laborer in the water department and was hired as a full-time laborer in September 1991.

He was promoted in April 1993 to utility worker in the water department.

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HOWARD

JERRY STEWART

N AT H A N BA L L

HAMLETT

Information Risk and

& SCOTT USSERY

& ZACHARY

Compliance Administrator

This year, Journeyman Lineman

STUBBS

Jerry Stewart earned multiple

Nathan Ball and Senior Lineman

Water department

certifications covering a range of

Scott Ussery earned the lineman

employees Howard Hamlett and Zachary Stubbs

emerging cybersecurity trends.

apprentice safety trainer

completed the pipeline assessment certification,

certification from the Missouri

manhole assessment certification and lateral

standard certifications:

Public Utility Alliance.

assessment certification programs from the

• Certified encryption specialist from the

Both men completed

National Association of Sewer Service Companies.

“These certification programs are an

International Council of ECommerce Consultants • Network+, IT operations specialist and secure

international standard that has been used for many years,” Water Systems Manager Lee

Stewart earned the following industry

infrastructure specialist from CompTIA • Web security associate, web security specialist

training requirements for proper techniques in pole top and bucket truck rescue, climbing with fall restraint and hot line construction and maintenance.

Tedford said. “We require this knowledge for the

and web security professional from CIW

“Nathan and Scott have been valuable members

individuals who operate our camera truck, and I’m

Certification Partners

of our department for years and continually

Chief Financial Officer Tracy Moore said

strive to improve the safety and training of all

proud of the effort of both Howard and Zachary to

complete this important work for the community.”

Stewart is constantly working to protect Conway

our crews,” Electric Distribution System Manager

Corp and customer information against hackers,

Jim Moore said. “Earning these certifications

apprentice and promoted to water systems

viruses and malware.

is another example of their dedication to the

foreman in 2005. He recently celebrated 25 years

company and the entire Conway community.”

with Conway Corp.

ensure we are managing our information risks

and strategizing new ways to keep our

and entered the apprentice program in 2013.

systems protected.”

worker apprentice in the water department. He

Hamlett was hired as a utility worker

Stubbs was hired as a utility worker apprentice

in 2005 and was promoted to utility worker in 2009.

“Jerry has been providing great leadership to

Stewart joined Conway Corp in August 2007.

He began his career as a Linux systems analyst and has been in his current role since December 2018.

Ball has been with the company since 2011 Ussery joined Conway Corp in 2002 as a utility

began working for the electric department in 2004.

CORY COX

TO N Y VA N P E LT

SHAWN FASON

Dispatch Coordinator Cory Cox

Safety and Emergency

Monitoring and Security Services

earned his journeyman lineman

Management Director Tony Van

Administrator Shawn Fason was

certification after successfully

Pelt has earned the credential

among 46 community leaders

completing a four-year

of certified utility safety

who graduated from the Conway

apprentice program though the Missouri Public

professional (CUSP) with an endorsement in

Area Leadership Institute in November 2019.

Utility Alliance.

transmission and distribution from the Utility

Safety & Ops Leadership Network. Van Pelt

Conway community through an eight-month

correspondence and hands-on training with

successfully completed the three-step process to

curriculum inspired by Conway2025, a long-range

monthly and annual exams on electric curriculum

earn the certification that establishes him in the

strategic plan developed by the Conway Area

including overhead and underground systems;

industry as a utility safety professional.

Chamber of Commerce with the input of more

safety; pole climbing, installing and mounting;

than 1,400 area residents.

conductors, transformers and substations and

afterthought at Conway Corp, we believe having

equipment operation.

employees in safety leadership roles work to

spread across seven sectors: Keep Conway Active,

achieve benchmarks like CUSP are essential to

Keep Conway Building, Keep Conway Creative,

on immersion training workshops including a week-

our success as a corporate citizen,” Chief Financial

Keep Conway Learning, Keep Conway Moving,

long session for pole climbing, pole top rescue

Officer Tracy Moore said.

Keep Conway Safe and Keep Conway Working.

and bucket truck operation at the National Utility

Industry Training Fund facilities in Kansas City.

in August 1985 as a groundman in the electric

community leaders, businesses and organizations

department. He spent four years as a groundman

make a difference in Conway every day while

electric department for more than six years before

and seven years as a lineman before moving to

developing their own leadership skills and role in

being promoted from apprentice lineman to his

the role of system designer in the engineering

the success of the community.

current role in the engineering department.

department, where he worked until the

promotion to his current role in 2018.

The program requires classroom,

In addition, Cox was required to attend hands-

Cox was hired in 2011 and was employed in the

Cox currently oversees the company’s outage

“Because safety is a priority and not an

Van Pelt started working for Conway Corp

CALI prepares emerging leaders to serve the

The Conway2025 plan includes 132 goals

Class participants experienced firsthand how

management system and helps coordinate restoration efforts.

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N ATA L I E A R N O L D

WILLIAM SHAW

JEFF CROWNOVER

Project Coordinator and Data

Energy Auditor William Shaw

CATV Systems Senior Designer

Specialist Natalie Arnold earned

earned his infrared camera for

Jeff Crownover earned the

the continuity of operations

weatherization and energy

broadband transport specialist

certification from the Emergency

audits certification from the

certification from the Society

Management Institute run by the Federal

Snell Group.

of Cable Telecommunications Engineers after

Emergency Management Agency.

completing required coursework and a final exam.

earn the certification that is designed for energy

mission to ensure continuation of essential

auditors who use thermal imaging to inspect

of the specialist to transport optical signals

functions and services during a broad range

residential buildings for insulation defects, air

through the entirety of the network, conduct tests

of circumstances.

leakage problems and moisture-related issues.

and maintenance on systems, work with optical

Courses are open to all models of thermal

equipment and assist construction practices,

imaging equipment.

considerations and safety.

It is a critical part of every organization’s

Arnold works in the engineering department

and has been with Conway Corp since August 2018.

Shaw spent 16 hours in the classroom to

Shaw has been helping residential and

commercial customers with energy efficiency since April 2013.

The BTS certification describes the proficiency

Crownover started working for Conway Corp in

the engineering department in October 2001.

BRENT BROWN,

TOMMY NOLEN

ANDREW NELSON &

CATV Training and Special

JASON SCHAAL

Projects Coordinator Tommy

Senior Service Technician Brent

Nolen earned his certified

Brown, Broadband Premises

entry networking technician

Technician Andrew Nelson

and certified networking associate professional

and Senior System Technician

certifications from Cisco.

Jason Schaal earned their

fiber-outside plant certifications

the ability to install, operate and troubleshoot a

from the Electronics Technicians

small enterprise branch network including basic

Association.

network security.

The three cable technicians

attended courses at the Light

switching, understanding interactions and

Brigade Fiber Optics School

network functions of firewalls, wireless controllers

of Training in Dallas and

and access points, as well as IPv6.

The CCENT and CCNA certifications validate

applications to prove proficiency and earn

passed two exams to earn the certifications. He

the certification.

has been with Conway Corp since May 2000.

Future plans to deliver fiber to Conway

residences will allow for faster speeds up to 10G.

Brown began working at Conway Corp in

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EMPLOYEES PARTICIPATED FROM ACROSS THE COMPANY

Learning foundations included routing and

took a two-hour written exam with hands-on

CUSTOMER SERVICE TRAINING

Nolen spent 65 hours in the classroom and

87

COURSES & TRAINING SESSIONS COMPLETED

1 620

CUSTOMER , SERVICE COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

March 2004. Nelson was hired in October 2014 and Schaal in October 2004.

TOTAL TRAINING TIME

23 DAYS 6 HOURS 14 MINUTES

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WE LEND A HELPING HAND. Just

like you.

Community is everything. It’s what makes the work we do so important to our company and to Conway, and what makes us always want to do more. Here are just a few of the ways we were able to invest in others – including one opportunity that took us far beyond our city limits.

ELECTRIC LINEWORKERS GIVE

P O W E R TO N AVA J O N AT I O N

300,000, the Navajo Nation is the largest Native

In May, a crew of four Conway Corp electric

American territory in the United States – and of the

lineworkers traveled to New Mexico to provide

55,000 homes on the reservation, about 15,000 do

power for families in the Navajo Nation through the

not have electricity.

American Public Power Association’s Light Up

Navajo project.

Jones, Lance Heer and Trey Brown worked 12-hour

With an estimated population of approximately

Conway Corp lineworkers Scott Ussery, Clint

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shifts for six days to bring electricity to the Navajo

completed all of his homework by propane lamp or

volunteer crews from 20 public power utilities across

Nation, one home at a time.

the family vehicle’s dome light. An avid basketball

the country worked to build electric lines in the

player, he rounded up his friends and used vehicle

Navajo Nation last spring.

Pauline Yazzie, who had been waiting for power for

headlights to illuminate their games when they

13 years when Conway Corp’s crew got to her home.

wanted to play at night.

electricity, but a handful of families are enjoying the

soft glow of lightbulbs today thanks to our crew.

The crew ended the week powering the home of

Her son just graduated high school and

Through the APPA’s Light Up Navajo project,

Thousands of Navajo homes are still without

SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY In 2019, Conway Corp employees collectively donated more than $31,000 to United Way and earned the United Way of Central Arkansas Large Campaign of the Year Award.

In addition, employees held a toy drive for the

Angel Tree program, and our electric department grilled hot dogs and played ball at Braves Field with the kids and their families.

CRADLE CARE Each year, Conway Corp employees choose a local charity to support during the company’s employee DAY O F G I V I N G :

our team collected items for Conway Cradle Care.

STUDENT MARKET

in the event by collecting items for the Community

Each year, the American Public Power Association

Action Program for Central Arkansas Student

to help teens who become pregnant or have a

kicks off its national conference by celebrating public

Market. Employees donated more than 4,200

child complete their education by supporting their

power’s commitment to community with the Public

breakfast, lunch and snack items to help provide

academic and emotional needs, as well as the

Power Day of Giving.

meals to local food-insecure children during the

developmental needs of their children.

summer months.

Conway Corp employees donated thousands of

volunteer with local service organizations, and this

items to the nonprofit, including 2,631 diapers and

year CEO Bret Carroll helped inspect, sort and pack

volunteered at the market, helping more than 100

3,958 baby wipes.

food at the Central Texas Food Bank in Austin.

students shop for meals and snacks to take home.

appreciation event. In 2019, Conway Cradle Care was established in 1995

Conference participants can donate a day to

At home, Conway Corp employees participated

In addition to the food drive, employees also

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WE LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER. Just

like you.

Protecting what matters most – our families, our homes, our people – comes naturally. So it’s no surprise that safety is always on our minds. Whether we’re dealing with historic flooding or reviewing on-site protocols, the Conway Corp team addresses safety head on with rigorous training, planning and prevention.

ARKANSAS RIVER FLOODING

Faulkner County Office of Emergency Services and

In May 2019, the Arkansas River and connecting

the Army Corps of Engineers.

waterways saw historic flooding as a result of heavy

rain in Arkansas and the surrounding states.

around the clock to protect our infrastructure and

service to our customers.

Conway Corp operations teams participated in

During this time, Conway Corp employees worked

daily briefings with officials from around the state,

We were most focused on protecting the Tupelo

including the city of Conway, Faulkner County, the

Bayou Wastewater Treatment Plant, the pump

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stations that feed it and the Roger Q Mills Water Treatment Plant.

Our engineers worked to provide calculated,

potential risks to each of those locations while our water systems department worked to protect them.

But they did not do it alone. Employees from every department in the company got involved to help secure these facilities.

In addition to securing Conway Corp facilities,

our employees were on hand to assist the city and county with other local needs, from filling sandbags to helping build a dam to prevent water from coming into the city in the case of a levee breach.

Employees from across the company were on

hand to assist and keep our infrastructure and community safe from floodwaters.

SAFETY COMMITTEE

safe working environment by creating and maintaining

The newly established Conway Corp Safety

an active interest in safety by each employee.

Committee held its first meeting in May 2019.

to eliminate or control safety hazards and

The committee is comprised of employees from

across the company and meets monthly to promote a

They aim to identify corrective measures needed

company accidents.

SAFETY TRAINING ALL DEPARTMENTS BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS BURN SAFETY DISTRACTED DRIVING FALL PROTECTION HEAT SAFETY

GLOBAL HARMONIZATION SYSTEMS PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

ADDITIONAL TRAINING AED TRAINING Electric, General Office

LINEWORKERS RODEO

In March 2019, electric department employees

competed in events like Hurtman Rescue, where

traveled to Colorado Springs to participate in the

participants completed a simulation of rescuing

American Public Power Association

an injured co-worker, and the Rope Toss, where

Lineworkers Rodeo.

participants tossed a rope onto an 8-foot fiberglass

crossarm mounted at the top of a 40-foot pole.

During the event, Conway Corp competed

Apprentice Linemen Si Anthony and Lance Heer

alongside more than 400 other public power electric

The rodeo provides linemen an opportunity to

lineworkers from across the nation to demonstrate

enhance their skills and exchange best practices

how quickly and safely they could perform the duties

with peers from other utilities while also attending

required of a lineman.

training courses.

ARCFLASH Electric, Engineering, Water/Wastewater ARDOT PERMITS Electric, Cable, Engineering

COMPETENT PERSON TRENCH/EXCAVATION Engineering, Water/Wastewater CPR General Office FIRE EXTINGUISHER General Office

BUCKET & POLE TOP RESCUE Electric, Cable

LADDER SAFETY Electric, Cable, Water/Wastewater

CHEMICAL AWARENESS Water/Wastewater

PIPELINE CORROSION Engineering

CHEMICAL SUITS & BOOTS Water/Wastewater

24

WE EMBRACE INNOVATION. Just

like you.

Forward is always the best direction. Conway Corp is committed to harnessing the latest technologies in every area of service, so our team is constantly advancing, discovering, expanding and exploring. Many new technologies also come with new responsibilities – like cybersecurity – and we embrace those, too.

BRIGHT FUTURE:

sun and store energy to use for electricity.

C O N WAY S O L A R AT B L A N E Y H I L L

In December 2019, Conway Corp took Energy Smart

1.8 million kilowatt hours a year, with 32,964,667

to a whole new level with the opening of the Blaney

kilowatt hours expected to be produced over 20 years.

Hill Solar Farm.

This will be enough to power more than 150 homes

annually, based on the average annual electricity

Located on the site of the closed Conway landfill,

the facility uses solar panels to capture heat from the

Initially, the solar farm will produce an estimated

consumption for U.S. residential customers.

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Lifetime power production from Blaney Hill

Solar Farm is estimated to reduce the city’s carbon footprint by the equivalent of CO2 emissions from 2,623,045 gallons of gasoline.

Conway Corp is dedicated to delivering safe,

affordable, reliable, innovative and environmentally sound utility services, and we are excited to provide a more energy-efficient electricity option for our customers while also playing a role in reducing the city’s carbon footprint.

BLANEY HILL SOLAR FAST FACTS

150

1.2 MW DC SITE

SOLAR ARRAY

HOMES POWERED ANNUALLY*

*BASED ON AVG. ANNUAL ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION FOR US RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER OF 10,399 KWH; EIA.GOV

HOW MUCH? LIFETIME SOLAR FARM POWER PRODUCTION REDUCES CONWAY’S CARBON FOOTPRINT

1,800,000 k W h

32,964,667 k Wh

INITIAL ANNUAL ESTIMATED PRODUCTION

20-YEAR ESTIMATED PRODUCTION

THE EQUIVALENT OF: • GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM 56,995,103 MILES DRIVEN BY AVERAGE PASSENGER VEHICLE • CO2 EMISSIONS FROM 2,623,045 GALLONS OF GASOLINE CONSUMED

ANNUAL PRODUCTION BY MONTH

• CO2 EMISSIONS FROM 127 RAILCAR LOADS OF COAL BURNED 200 K

• CO2 EMISSIONS FROM 25,484,187 POUNDS OF COAL BURNED

150 K

• CO2 EMISSIONS FROM 2,972,439,299 SMARTPHONES CHARGED

100 K

• GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM 8,131 TONS OF 50 K

0

WASTE RECYCLED INSTEAD OF LANDFILLED • CARBON SEQUESTERED BY 385,452 TREE SEEDLINGS JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

GROWN FOR 10 YEARS

28

321

149 HOMES IN 2019

174

LOANS TO DATE FOR $940,248

AUDITS IN 2019

$1,625,322

CUSTOMER SAVINGS PER YEAR

$7,538,024

ENERGY SAVINGS SINCE 2009

$29,039,037

55,391

FOR LIFE OF SAVINGS MEASURES

METRIC TONS OF EMISSIONS SAVED SINCE 2009 EQUAL TO ANNUAL EMISSIONS OF 9,378 HOMES

2019 ENERGY SMART

BUILDER OF THE YEAR

building homes that meet or exceed Conway Corp

insulation, high-performance windows, tight ducts

Conway Corp named Rush-Hal Properties the 2019

Energy Smart criteria since the Energy Smart New

and efficient heating and cooling equipment.

Energy Smart Builder of the Year for their dedication

Home program was developed in 2009,” Conway

to building energy-efficient homes in the Conway

Corp Major Accounts and Energy Efficiency Manager

community.

David Avra said. “Their dedication to providing

energy-efficient options to the Conway community

Energy Smart homes use less energy than

“Rush-Hal Properties has been committed to

standard-built homes and help save homeowners

helps our customers save money while living in

money and energy for years to come.

comfort and style.”

Conway Corp recognized 33 homes built by

Energy Smart specifications are based

Rush-Hal Properties as being Energy Smart in 2019,

on the United States Department of Energy

and the company currently has 11 additional Energy

recommendations. Energy Smart homes can save 20-

Smart homes under construction.

30% energy use over a standard-built home thanks

to a variety of energy-efficient features including

CYBER SECURITY TRAINING WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT PROTECTING CUSTOMER INFORMATION AND PRIVACY. SO SERIOUS, IN FACT, THAT OUR ENTIRE ORGANIZATION PARTICIPATED IN TRAINING THIS YEAR.

SECURITY AWARENESS TRAINING

SECURE ONLINE BEHAVIOR I N N OVAT I O N O N D E M A N D :

features to provide an exceptional video experience

AMAZON ALEXA

for consumers.

Voice control became part of the Ninja viewing

experience in 2019. Conway Corp Ninja users can

interface navigation and playback of DVR recordings.

now search, discover and control live TV, OnDemand

Alexa can tune to channel numbers or networks,

content and recordings using their voice.

search for keywords or phrases, fast forward, rewind,

pause or go live with the Ninja.

Compatible with all Amazon Alexa-enabled

These include quick channel changes, search, user

UNDERSTANDING & PROTECTING PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION

devices, Ninja supports voice control for a range of

30

WE BELIEVE IN EDUCATION. Just

like you.

Education is our history and our future. Conway is privileged to be home to outstanding schools and universities, with equally impressive students, faculty, staff and programs.

With so many A+ opportunities, Conway Corp is proud to fund scholarships, resources, facilities and more – and we will always make education a priority.

H E N D R I X C R E AT I V E Q UA D

student living space and the Windgate Museum of Art.

In 2017, Conway Corp pledged $1.5 million to Hendrix

College for the construction of the Miller Creative Quad.

wing of the complex on the 2nd and 3rd floors. The

hall houses 54 students in 16 single dorm rooms and

The Creative Quad opened for the fall 2019

Conway Corporation Hall encompasses the south

semester and is a mixed-use development combining

19 double dorm rooms. The 15,745 square-foot area

first-class facilities for the creative arts with new

also includes five study spaces.

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TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD & GRANT Melissa Spence was recognized as the Conway Public School’s Teacher of the Year in August 2019.

Spence, a first-grade teacher at Theodore Jones

Elementary, was presented with the award and a $2,000 grant from Conway Corp at the Conway Public Schools Back-to-School assembly.

In 2013, Conway Corp pledged a $440,000 gift to

endow the award and support teacher impact grants presented by the Conway Public Schools Foundation.

LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS Supporting education has always been one of our top priorities. Conway Corp provides world-class technology to our local schools and universities along with scholarships, grants, educational outreach and more.

Since 2010, Conway Corp has given more

than $6,000 in scholarships to the Single Parent CHANNEL 5/585 SPORTS

In addition, Conway Corp began partnering

Scholarship Fund of Faulkner County, and, since

Conway Corp began broadcasting tape-delayed

with Conway Public Schools and teaming up with

2008, more than $600,000 in endowed scholarships

Wampus Cat football and basketball games in 2001.

Conway High Wampus Cat athletic interns in

to local students who attend the University of Central

Today, all football games and home basketball

2019 to broadcast student-produced local sports

Arkansas, Central Baptist College and Hendrix.

games are broadcast live via Channel 5/585 and

programming by providing equipment and hands-

streaming with Wampus Cats 2 Go.

on training.

year, including 5 Sports scholarship awards to local

student athletes for their performance on the field

New for 2019, the 5 Sports production crew

Channel 5/585 broadcast student-

Conway Corp provides additional scholarships every

broadcast the annual Conway Blue/White game to

led productions for baseball, softball,

and in the classroom. In 2019, Conway Corp awarded

an audience of more than 1,000 viewers.

soccer, track and field and volleyball.

four local students $1,500 in scholarship money.

34

RELIABILITY STATISTICS AVERAGE LENGTH of POWER OUTAGES CONWAY CORP

NATIONAL AVERAGE*

66

169

MINUTES

MINUTES

CAIDI - CUSTOMER AVERAGE INTERRUPTION DURATION INDEX The average time required to restore service.

ELECTRIC RELIABILITY ASAI - AVERAGE SYSTEM AVAILABILITY INDEX The fraction of time that a customer has received power during the defined reporting period.

AVERAGE NUMBER of POWER OUTAGES CONWAY CORP

.33 OUTAGES

NATIONAL AVERAGE*

.90 OUTAGES

SAIFI - SYSTEM AVERAGE INTERRUPTION FREQUENCE INDEX How often the average customer experiences a sustained outage over a predefined period of time.

BROADBAND RELIABILITY

*American Public Power eReliability Tracker

TELEPHONE RELIABILITY

BOARD of DIRECTORS

Dr. Greg Murry Chair

Bob Whitehouse

Ray Kordsmeier Secretary

Director

Tom Courtway

Jake Nabholz

Denise Perry

Vice-Chair

Director

Director

Dr. Brad Teague

Lindsay Henderson Director

D i r e c t o r (added May 2019)

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

Bret Carroll

Chief Executive Officer

Greg Dell

Chief Operating Officer

Jason Hansen

C h i e f Te c h n o l o g y O f f i c e r

Crystal Kemp

Chief Marketing Officer

Tracy Moore

Chief Financial Officer

5 36

CHS ROBOTICS TEAM &

WE CALL CONWAY HOME.

Just like you.

ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION MANAGER JIM MOORE

S T. J OS E P H

MARGUERITE VANN

SCHOOLS

E L E M E N TA RY

CAREER

COMMUNITY

DAY

H E L P E R S DAY

RUTH DOYLE STEM NIGHT Employees from the electric, water, cable, technology, engineering, production and marketing departments attended the annual STEM Night at Ruth Doyle Middle School. Students and parents were invited to attend the event to learn more about the science behind Conway Corp and other companies.

BOWLING

UCA PURPLE

FOR

PA SS I O N

BUSINESS

TEACHER

DOWNTOWN

BREAKFAST &

CO N WAY

E D U C AT I O N

FARMERS’

FAIR

MARKET

TOAD SUCK DAZE Water department employees showcased the department’s new robot for checking sewer lines, while electric department employees helped kids climb power poles and see what it takes to be a lineman.

38

Our Vision Conway Corp is committed to serving our customers with excellence, planning for the future and delivering exceptional services to our community.

Our Mission Conway Corp is dedicated to exceeding our customers’ expectations in producing and delivering safe, affordable, reliable, innovative and environmentally-sound utility and telecommunication services while enhancing the quality of life in our community.

Powering Conway since 1929.

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(501) 450-6000

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ConwayCorp.com

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