Several Sam Houston Electric Cooperative employees recently earned certifications that enable them to understand the latest technology and provide consumer-members with high-quality service.
“Employees have a chance to learn new skills, increase job opportunities and gain personal fulfillment through these opportunities,” said Dana Massey, director of administration.
Rita Cones, system operator, earned a system operator certification through Northwest Lineman College in Denton. “The in-depth course covers basic electrical theory and system operation guidelines to more advanced courses such as relaying schematics, substation system protection and substation DC systems,” Cones said.
Dalton Hodge, Cedric Ivory and Mark Merchant, Coldspring lineworkers, completed a four-year lineman apprenticeship program through NLC as well.
Ivory worked as a lineworker for more than 10 years before he joined Sam Houston EC four years ago, and he’s still dedicated to ongoing education in addition to his years of experience in the field.
“When going through the apprenticeship program, we learn why and how equipment works, not just how to work on it,” Ivory said. “It makes me feel good to complete the program; we can never learn enough in our field.”
Valerie Berry, contact center office supervisor, completed the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s intensive Robert I. Kabat Management Internship Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in June. The program provides a comprehensive analysis of the functions and processes of cooperative management, including cooperative and industry legal issues, government relations, grassroots advocacy, process analysis and redesign, and performance management and compensation.
Brandie Paske, left, dispatch supervisor, presented Rita Cones, system operator, with her certificate upon completing the system operator certification program through Northwest Lineman College.
Valerie Berry, third from left, contact center office supervisor, recently completed the Robert I. Kabat Management Internship Program through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Ricky Harrell, chief member services officer, completed the program more than 25 years ago. “MIP gives our employees the opportunity to network and share ideas with other like-minded individuals in the cooperative industry,” Harrell said. “More importantly, it can help build their confidence.”
Chad Simon, communications specialist, earned his Certified Cooperative Communicator designation through NRECA in May. Successful completion of the program requires more than 120 hours of instruction and several evaluations.
“The Cooperative benefits by having a highly skilled workforce, improved productivity and employee retention,” Massey said. “The continued investment in an education program is important to the success of employee engagement and the overall success of Sam Houston Electric Cooperative.”
