Firelands Reconizes Cooperative Employees In 2006

Jim Mitchell celebrates 40 years with Firelands. - (10/06)

Lineman Jim Mitchell began working at Firelands Electric on October 3, 1966. When asked about his perspective on the Co-op, he says "The change in technology over the years has been mind boggling! When I started everything was hooks and belt." [Referring to his pole climbing hooks and tool belt].

Today Jim constantly uses computers in his job managing the Turtle Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system and the new computerized meters Firelands is installing for its larger three-phase accounts. His job also involves tracking material and inventory for the large FEMA repair and rebuild project Firelands is doing.

Jim remembers many significant storms and outage events from the previous 40 years beginning with the flood of 1969. "We had almost 6 feet of water in the warehouse."

"Then in 1972 there was a tornado in Willard. We were hit pretty hard then. In 1974 there was the Thanksgiving blizzard." "Of course the blizzard of '78 was the worst snow storm I've seen. We couldn't leave New London. Eventually, we went out on snow mobiles to get members back on. It was all hooks and belt that time."

The worst damage I've ever seen was the ice storm in '05. Usually, most of the damage is confined to one part of the system or another, but in '05 it was everywhere. The entire system was down. That was the worst one."

In addition to working at Firelands, Jim spent 25 years doing electrical work for the Lorain County fairgrounds, and has spent 20+ years as electrician for the New London parks and reservoir. In addition, Jim farmed up until 1982.

He says, "It's funny, my intention was to work a while at Firelands until I got stable and then go to farming full-time. After 40 years, I'm still at Firelands and I quit farming." We think Jim made the right decision!

Keith Blough is hired as Firelands' Groundman. - (10/06)

Keith Blough was hired as a full-time Groundman after three months with Firelands Electric in a part-time position. His Groundman career will be short lived, however, because he will begin Apprentice Lineman training at Marion Technical College in October.

Keith is from the Ashland area and graduated from Ashland High School. He has worked in concrete construction and also at Luk, Inc. in Wooster. He came to Firelands because he likes working outside, but wanted a more stable career position. He has enjoyed learning to climb poles and obtaining his CDL to drive the line trucks.

Keith says he especially enjoys the public service aspect of the job. "The good work that the line crews do – building new lines, restoring power in outages – helps the whole community, and I like that" he says.

Keith lives south of Ashland with his wife, Brandi, and their three daughters, Ellie, Reanna, and Megan.

Welcome Tree Trimmer David Sumpter. - (10/06)

Firelands Electric welcomes its newest employee, Tree Trimmer David Sumpter. A native of Wellington, David graduated from Wellington High School. Prior to joining the Co-op he worked in a factory job.

David says he applied for the job because he likes working outside. He has been learning the correct way to climb trees, operate a bucket truck, and use a chipper and he enjoys the job. David is a huge sports fan and has coached a traveling baseball team for several years. He is very proud that last season his team of 15-16 year-old boys finished second over all.

David likes to go off-roading in his Jeep Wrangler, and also enjoys hiking and camping on property he and his brother own in Pennsylvania. Perhaps the part of the job he likes most is helping people do something they could not do themselves. "I feel good that they appreciate what I'm doing for them," he says.

Stephanie Loescher celebrates 5 years with Firelands. - (9/06)

Stephanie Loescher joined Firelands in September of 2001 as a Billing Clerk. Today she is a Billing Representative where her many duties include handling payments, disconnects and reconnects, bill credits, bill concerns, as well as processing mail and greeting customers in the office with a smile.

A graduate of Mapleton High School, Stephanie is pursuing her degree in business management at North Central State College. She says she has really enjoyed her five years at Firelands because of the different challenges each day, and the great people she works with.

Stephanie and her husband Scott, the bus mechanic for the Ashland City Schools, live in rural New London with their daughter, Olivia. Stephanie and Scott enjoy building their family business, S & S Farms, which sells outside wood furnaces.

Kurt Detterman celebrates 5 years Firelands. - (6/06)

Kurt Detterman joined Firelands in 2001 after attending the University of Toledo for two years, was promoted last year from Lineman to Meter, AMR and Data Coordinator, and is in charge of electric meters.

His plans are to resume his studies on a part-time basis and work toward a bachelor's degree in business. Kurt likes working with his fellow employees and enjoys being able to work outside, describing his years at Firelands as "wonderful," because of the opportunities he has had "to meet a lot of people and learn a lot of new things."

He lives in rural New London with his wife Maria, and their daughter Kaitlyn. His hobbies include hunting, snowmobiling and other outdoor activities.

Happy 20th Anniversary to Gwean Anderson. - (6/06)

Senior Billing Representative Gwean Anderson joined Firelands as an office clerk in June 1986 and is celebrating her 20th anniversary with the Cooperative.

Gwean says she enjoys her work, the people she works with and especially the fact that, "There is always something new to learn."

She lives in New London with her husband Michael, who is the owner/operator of Anderson Leasing, a trucking firm. They have two grown sons, Rollie and Jason, and two granddaughters.

In her spare time Gwean enjoys scrap booking, crochet, and spending time with her family, whether it's in the pool or at the racetrack.

Tom Meanwell celebrates 20 years with Firelands. - (5/06)

Tom Meanwell joined the Cooperative in May of 1986 as an energy specialist and is now Director of Marketing, Member Services and Public Relations.

Tom says, "I can't believe how fast the years have gone by," and adds he can't imagine working with a finer group of people, both employees and Cooperative members.

He lives in the rural Ashland area with wife Jody, a physical therapist. They have two grown daughters and enjoy traveling, SCUBA diving, boating and their dog, cats and two new puppies.

Congratulations to Tabi Shephard! - (4/06)

Firelands' accountant Tabi Shepherd graduates this month from Ashland University with a Bachelor of Science degree with a business management major and an accounting minor.

Tabi, who has been with Firelands since April of 1999, has been taking one or two courses at a time for several years working towards this goal. She says, "I'm excited it's finished because it's been a long process."

A Greenwich resident, Tabi lives with her husband David, who is in shipping and receiving at Voisard Manufacturing in Shiloh. She loves reading, doing cross-stitch and spending time with their five dogs.

Phil Pickering promoted to journeyman - (2/06).

Congratulations to Philip Pickering, who recently was promoted from apprentice to journeyman linemen. Phil joined Firelands in 2000, working parttime while still in high school. After attending ATI in Wooster for a year, Phil accepted a fulltime apprentice position.

As a journeyman lineman he is responsible for running a cre w, building new services, line construction and maintenance. Phil says he feels good about his accomplishments because, "worked hard to get it." He realizes, however, there still is much to learn and he is looking to many years with the Cooperative.

Phil currently is completing courses on a parttime basis working toward a college degree, majoring in electrical engineering. Phil describes his years at Firelands as "GREAT," because of the many opportunities for meeting new people and learning many new things. Phil states he "loves being a lineman because every day is different and presents new challenges."

A resident of the rural New London area, Phil enjoys fishing, snowmobiling and helping his father on their family farm. He and his fiancée, Stephanie Dearth, are planning a winter wedding in late 2006.

Lee Merrill completes 5 years with Firelands - (1/06).

Lineman Lee Merrill marks his fifth anniversary with the cooperative this month. Lee was hired in August of 2000 as a part-time worker to install Turtle meters, and in January of 2001 was employed full time as an apprentice lineman.

After completing his Dennis Merchant lineman training and 8,000 hours of training, Lee has earned his lineman status. Lee's job is building new services; which includes setting poles, meter bases, transformers and hanging new wire. Even when the weather is challenging, he still enjoys his work because he likes knowing he is part of the effort to restore power to the members after storms.

Lee lives in the rural New London area and enjoys farming on his parents farm, as well as hunting and fishing in his spare time.

Firelands Employees Reconized In 2007

Firelands Employees Reconized In 2005

Firelands Employees Reconized In 2004