F O R E W O R D ver the years, much of OUC’s strength has come from the knowledge, pride and experience passed down from generation to generation of employees. As the son of an OUC lineman, I’ve witnessed — and been a part of — OUC’s rich history for more than half a century. This history book celebrates our team’s contributions, commemorates our past and fosters a sense of pride for future generations. Former OUC General Manager and CEO Ken Ksionek was the driving force behind this book. Amid the retirement of several long-tenured OUC employees, Ken wanted to capture our history through the eyes of our team. He tapped Roseann Harrington, then-VP of marketing, communications and community relations, to lead the effort. Roseann and her staff wove together interviews and personal accounts from dozens of current and retired OUC employees, including General Managers Curtis H. Stanton and Harry C. Luff; Assistant General Manager Louis E. Stone; General Counsel and Vice President of Government & Regulatory Relations Thomas B. Tart; and Director of Water Engineering Rick Coleman. The team worked tirelessly to compile photos, stories and facts, creating a comprehensive document that would do justice to OUC. The current edition has been updated to mark OUC’s 100th anniversary — a milestone that few organizations ever reach. So much has changed in that time span, from tremendous regional growth to astonishing advancements in technology. Yet one thing remains constant: The Reliable One’s outstanding service to our customers and community. Our region’s dependence on energy and water is perpetual and all-encompassing — and our customers’ needs have evolved commensurately. While unwavering reliability defined our first century, being an innovative solutions provider and the partner of choice is our vision for the future, as we strive to meet and exceed customer needs. We deliver on this vision thanks to the hard work and dedication of our employees who help make a difference in our community and who make safety our priority every day — demonstrating we care by protecting the physical, mental and emotional health of others. The energy and water industries are in a period of great transformation, each on the cusp of a revolution that will usher in an era with the potential to change the world. We’re focused on accelerating innovation, leveraging technology to conserve water as a precious and limited resource, and evolving through increasingly complex challenges associated with creating a path to a Net Zero CO2 Emission electricity grid by 2050 with interim targets of 50% CO2 reduction by 2030 and 75% CO2 reduction by 2040. OUC has made steady progress on these forward-thinking goals and we’re well on our way to achieving our 2030 target. Since 1923, OUC’s ingenuity has propelled Central Florida’s growth and will continue to fuel the next century through adaptive solutions advanced through dedicated people and collaborative creativity. I’m optimistic about our community’s future and energized about OUC’s role in it. I can’t imagine a more exciting time in our history ... and we’re grateful for our customers, our employees and the community who will share in it.
Clint Bullock General Manager & CEO