By Rick Lemonds, president & CEO
If you’ve ever attended a South Central Power regional member meeting or our annual meeting, you’ll know that one of our traditions is to have our longtime trustee Alan Gabriel come to the podium and recognize all of the veterans in attendance. Alan, a veteran of the Gulf War as part of the U.S. Coast Guard, takes pride in the veterans who are members and employees of South Central Power. Aside from his public recognition of veterans, Alan is also a behind-the-scenes champion of finding ways to improve the lives of veterans who live and work in our communities.
One example is a hunt that Alan and his family host on their family farm in Pickaway County each fall. Alan and his family spend months preparing the land for an accessible hunting experience that can be enjoyed by disabled veterans who can’t always get out into the woods as easily as they’d like. Maintaining accessible trails, cutting and trimming trees, and ensuring an overall smooth experience takes a lot of work, but Alan finds it’s worth it when he sees the joy on the faces of the veterans who are a part of it.
At South Central Power, we recognize veterans like Alan on Veterans Day, but we know it’s more than just a federal holiday; it’s a moment for our nation to come together and recognize the contributions of all veterans and the importance of their continued involvement in the workforce.
I am proud that at South Central Power, I have the privilege of working alongside many veterans and reservists who have served our country with honor and dedication. They bring a unique set of skills and qualities to the workplace that greatly benefit your cooperative and the communities we serve. Whether it’s their unwavering commitment, exceptional teamwork, or their ability to adapt and overcome challenges, veterans exemplify the qualities we value most in our workforce.
When we hire veterans like Dillon Vance, a Hillsboro line worker pictured on the cover of our November magazine, we not only acknowledge their service but also invest in their future. We provide them with opportunities to apply their unique skills in the civilian workforce, ensuring a smoother transition to civilian life. This is not only a duty we owe to our veterans but also a smart business decision. Veterans bring invaluable leadership, discipline, and problem-solving abilities that enhance your cooperative’s performance and competitiveness.
As we celebrate Veterans Day, let us remember that honoring our heroes is not limited to one day a year, or even just the month of November. It is a commitment to recognize their potential, embrace their strengths, and provide them with opportunities to continue serving their country through meaningful work. By doing so, we not only pay tribute to their sacrifice but also build a brighter future for our nation.
Do you know a veteran or reservist looking for a new job opportunity in our service area? Make sure they check out opportunities at southcentralpower.com/careers.
Thank you to our South Central Power veterans and reservists:
- Fred Barnett, line worker, Hillsboro — Army
- Curtis Blase, line worker, Lancaster — Air Force
- Brian Cummings, utility technician, Hillsboro — Air Force
- Buzz Detty, safety, Lancaster — Marines
- Nathan Dupler, line worker, Lancaster — Ohio Air National Guard
- Alan Gabriel, trustee — Coast Guard
- Dan Hill, line worker, Hillsboro — Navy
- Seth Householder, field engineer, Lancaster — Army
- Todd Ingram, joint use engineer, Lancaster — Navy
- Charlie Miller, security systems, Lancaster — Marines
- Jared Pack, fiber construction inspector, Lancaster — Marines
- Carl Payne, substation worker, Lancaster — Navy
- Lonnie Roberts, system operator, Lancaster — Army
- Thomas Sestito, line worker, Lancaster — Marines
- Mitch Starr, network administrator, Lancaster — Ohio Air National Guard
- Tyler Stevens, security systems, Lancaster — Ohio Air National Guard
- Tom Sunderlin, information technology, Lancaster — Army
- Nick Tomblin, line worker, Lancaster — Army
- Dillon Vance, line worker, Hillsboro — Army
- Kyle Wells, line worker, Hillsboro — Marines
- Kevin Yates, accounting, Lancaster — Army
From the November 2023 issue of Ohio Cooperative Living.