Launched in 1990, “Yagottawannadoit” — symbolized by mascot O.U. Toucan — was the theme of OUC’s employee incentive program, which was designed to improve productivity, teamwork and problem solving.
A Technology Tsunami The tidal wave of technology advancements that
the existing mainframe system first installed in the
characterized the 1990s swept through OUC, too,
1960s. During this period, the utility developed a new
as the utility “tooled up for tomorrow.”
Customer Information Reporting and Tracking System
To run the electric and
(CIMART) to meet billing
water systems reliably, safely
needs for 225,000 customer
and efficiently, OUC used its
accounts. OUC also provided
own microwave Information
certain billing services for the
Highway, touching almost
city, county and state that
every facet of its operations —
would benefit from the new
people, plants, power lines,
system. CIMART provided
pipelines, substations, mobile radios, phones, faxes,
OUC replaced its mainframe with a new computer that was slightly larger than a desktop PC.
computers, machines and remote terminal units. OUC began “right-sizing” computer operations, developing PC-based systems and software to replace
Troy Todd: “Champion of Community Outreach” General Manager (1992–1994)
summary billing, direct debits and remote meter reading.
A similar program called Project Estimating and Scheduling (PETS) was utilized for capital improvement and construction projects.
PROUD to Serve To encourage employees to “pay their civic dues,” OUC launched its PROUD Community Volunteer program in 1990. In addition to recognizing employees for volunteer efforts, the program provided $2 for every hour donated to an eligible non-profit organization up to $200. More than $2,000 was donated to community organizations. In just two years after the program began, employee participation in volunteer activities doubled.
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Troy Todd, a graduate of Virginia Polytechnical Institute, came to OUC from United Telephone (Sprint) where he was the CEO and former Vice President of Human Resources. A champion of “giving back,” Todd increased OUC’s involvement in the community. Under his leadership, OUC created the Community Relations area and organized employee “Community Crews” volunteer involvement efforts. Todd was passionate about transparency. During his tenure, OUC enhanced internal audit policies and instituted stricter ethics and purchasing policies to improve accountability and transparency. General Manager Bob Haven said of his predecessor, “Troy Todd will be remembered and appreciated for his leadership in launching initiatives that helped OUC remain competitive and in helping defeat an attempt to freeze municipal electric utilities’ service territories.”