Around GCEC

Challenge Coins Awarded

Electric cooperative employees spend their days doing work that keeps our communities running. But sometimes, serving others means stepping outside the ordinary responsibilities of the job.

Earlier this year, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative lineworkers Frankie Bailey, Hunter Jenks, Braydon Nunnery and Tyler Whitten stopped to help two people trapped inside a burning camper. Their quick thinking and willingness to act earned them GCEC’s first-ever challenge coins, presented by Board President Dwight Van Lierop.

Braydon was unable to attend the July board meeting and received his coin during the September meeting.

He wasn’t the only GCEC employee recognized that day. Jacob O’Bryan was also presented with a challenge coin for his actions during a separate emergency. Jacob encountered a worker from another company experiencing a serious medical emergency while working high above the ground. Jacob responded quickly and used a GCEC bucket truck to bring the worker safely to the ground, where he could receive emergency medical attention.

Challenge coins have a long tradition of recognizing exceptional service, leadership and actions that reflect an organization’s values. For GCEC, they have become a way to recognize employees who demonstrate something that can’t always be taught: a willingness to put others first.

“These employees represent the very best of Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative,” Dwight says. “Their willingness to act when someone needed help reflects the spirit of service at the heart of our cooperative.”

We are proud to recognize Braydon and Jacob.

Directors Earn Board Leadership Certificates

GCEC trustees Pat Patterson and Pat Pitts recently earned the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Board Leadership Certificate.

In order to begin fulfilling the requirements of this certificate program, candidates first have to earn the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate.

The Board Leadership Certificate program focuses in greater depth on specific industry and governance issues. These include issues such as risk management, power supply, parliamentary procedure, technology and policy development.

Congratulations to Pat Patterson and Pat Pitts!

Meet GCEC’s Newest Employees

We would like to welcome two new members to GCEC’s team:

James Efurd, IT manager, and Nate Williams, electrical engineer.