Firelands Recognizes Cooperative Employees

Kolleen Patton promoted to Accountant - (5/10)

Kolleen Patton joined Firelands Electric in September 2003 as accounting clerk and received a well-deserved promotion to accountant in March. Her new duties as accountant include payroll, processing work orders and many other accounting functions.

“Kolleen has worked hard in the accounting clerk position. I know she will do an outstanding job as accountant,” said Tabi Shepherd, director of Finance.

Kolleen is a graduate of Mapleton High School. While working at the co-op, she has continued her education at North Central State College, receiving an associate of science degree in business administration in 2008. When asked what she enjoys most about her job at Firelands, Kolleen says she “enjoys helping members better understand their ownership in the cooperative.”

Kolleen and her husband, Don, who works for the village of New London, live in the Nova area. Since completing her college degree, Kolleen has been enjoying gardening and spending time with her husband.

Cindy Thompson promoted to Accounting Clerk - (5/10)

In March, Cindy Thompson was promoted to accounting clerk after working at Firelands Electric as billing representative since August 1999. Her new duties as accounting clerk include accounts payable, receivables and managing capital credit accounts.

“Cindy has been a valued member of our billing department for many years and I’m sure she will be an asset to the accounting department,” said April Bordas, director of Consumer Services.

“I look forward to new opportunities to grow,” Cindy says, “and I feel very blessed to work with a great group of people.”

Cindy and her husband, Chuck, live in the Clarksfield area. They have three grown children, and enjoy spending time with their children and grandchild. In her spare time outside of work, family and church activities, Cindy attends Ohio Business College where she is pursuing a degree in business administration.

Lineman, Zach Collins, recognized by the State of Ohio - (4/10)

Firelands Electric’s Lead Lineman Zach Collins was recognized recently by the Ohio State Apprenticeship Council for successfully completing the Central Ohio Lineman Training (COLT) program at Marion Technical College. He is the first Firelands lineman to be recognized by the state of Ohio for completing the COLT program.

The COLT program at Marion Technical College is a four-year curriculum for apprentice linemen, developed in conjunction with Ohio’s electric cooperatives, to train qualified candidates for the more high-tech jobs that utility linemen must master today.

Firelands Electric named Collins a journeyman lineman in 2007. In 2008 he was promoted to a lead lineman position at the cooperative. Collins and his wife, Amanda, live near Ruggles in northern Ashland County.

Don Englet celebrates 10 years of service - (3/10)

Don Englet started work at Firelands Electric in March of 2000 as an Apprentice Lineman. After completing the Apprentice Lineman coursework, he moved to Engineering Services Representative, and in 2005 was promoted to Line Supervisor.

Don says since the FEMA rebuild work was completed in 2009, Firelands line crews are repairing and upgrading those parts of the system that needed work, but did not qualify for the FEMA project. “This is part of our current 4-year work plan and will be completed later this year,” he says.

He enjoys his work and adds Firelands has “a great bunch of people” to work with. He says, “It’s good to see how well our Apprentice Linemen are doing in the new COLT [Central Ohio Line Training] program at Marion Technical College. Firelands will have 3 new Journeymen Linemen in 2 years and 2 more a year later.”

Don lives in the rural New London area and is a member of the New London Volunteer Fire Department. He and his wife, Sara, have two sons, Clayton and Jackson, and they enjoy hunting, fishing and “whatever sport the kids are into at the moment.”

Joanne Wray celebrates 20 years with the Cooperative - (2/10)

Joanne Wray started work at Firelands Electric Cooperative in February 1990 as a cashier/receptionist. She advanced into the engineering Department, and was named operations assistant in February of 1998. Her job entails helping to schedule and dispatch Firelands’ line crews and staking engineers as well as assisting members with new service, maintenance and repair work inquiries.

“I really enjoy being a part of the Firelands team, and having the opportunity to assist members with their questions,” says Joanne.“I work with a good group of people, and really enjoy what I do working for the co-op.”

Joanne is a native of the New London area, where she currently resides with her cat, Hobbs. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family.