Each year, Sumter Utilities honors exemplary employees with the President’s Safety Professional of the Year award. Crews who complete all four quarters of the year with zero safety incidents become eligible and are then selected by leadership for going above and beyond in their attention to safety.

This year’s banquet was held on May 30 in Columbia, South Carolina, and included dinner, dancing, and an award presentation. Honorees were invited, along with their spouses and partners, to celebrate their achievements. In total, 48 employees were honored, although a number of them were not able to celebrate since they had been called away to work storms in Texas and Tennessee.

Our 2023 Safety Professionals of the Year are: 

Thomas J Crain, Foreman

Adam D Davis, A-Lineman

Dylan B Lewis, B-Lineman

Joshua T Jackson, C-Lineman

William O Parnell, Foreman

Christopher G Langston, Truck Driver

Wyatt L Parnell, Groundman

Justin L Hoglen, Foreman

Nathan L Ferguson, A-Lineman

Jeffrey H Parris, A-Lineman

Charles M Hardee, Foreman

Patrick R Sott, Crew Leader

Joseph G Gasque, A-Lineman

Bryant Geathers, A-Lineman

Tommy G Singleton, Foreman

Mason A Lyall, C-Lineman

On April 27, 2024, a team from Sumter Utilities participated in the annual 5K-Aden race in Columbia, SC. The race is an event held in support of the Jordan Thomas Foundation, a 501c3 that helps kids get the prostheses they need to lead healthy and active lives. The annual 5K-Aden race is actually named after the stepson of Sumter Utilities President, Derek O’Bradovich, who lost his leg in a boating accident several years ago.

Sumter was proud to sponsor the race again this year, and to show our support by gathering a team of employees and friends to run the 5K. The weather was beautiful, spirits were high, and thousands of dollars were raised in support of this incredible mission.

Kaden’s incredible positivity and engagement with the Jordan Thomas Foundation even got some attention in the news! Take a look at this great interview he did with his new friend Carson.

It’s never too late to show your support for the Jordan Thomas Foundation, and to help other kids who have experience an amputation. Learn more here. 

Earlier this month, Liberty STEAM Charter School invited Sumter Utilities to participate in their first annual Workforce Development Day, and we happily obliged! The initiative sought to partner each class of 3rd grade students, or “scholars,” with companies from around Sumter, SC to learn about various careers available to them. Industry representatives join the scholars for an entire day and worked through two projects, both focused on the goal of limiting exposure to harmful UV rays while they played outside.

The first project was to design a shelter that would block UV rays on the playground. Every class completed this project, and saw how their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math could combine to have a real impact in their day to day life.

The second project was led by Training Instructor Mitch Johnson, and gave insight into the utility industry, specifically. The Sumter Utilities scholars worked in teams to create power poles that utilized a working switch and a light. If applied to their real life, this design would allow scholars to play outside even as the sun was setting, giving them more playtime with less UV exposure.

Our scholars were insightful, curious, and so fun to spend the day with. Mitch spoke to the class at length, and answered their many questions! He even had the chance to demonstrate some of our PPE with a Board Member volunteer and show off a bucket truck.

 We found out a few days after our visit that our team was the winner of the challenge!

A huge thank you to Liberty STEAM charter school for the invitation, and for helping train up the next generation of curious and intelligent young people.

Several Sumter Utilities employees recently hit significant milestones! These individuals have given years of dedication, support, and teamwork. We are so grateful to call them part of the Sumter family:

• Damon Lail
• Joshua Lancaster
• Christina Lang
• Conner Lynch
• Austin McCurry
• Austin Morris
• Weston Owens
• Walter Pace Jr
• Cody Pate
• Steven Patrick
• David Peralta Maldonado
• Stanley Phillips
• Matthew Poteat
• Jacob Powell
• Noah Powell
• Heyward Sauls
• Rodney Smith
• Christopher Stepp
• Steven Stokes
• Devin Thigpen
• Joshua Todd
• Jordan Ulshafer
• Dalton Underwood
• Jimmy Vaught
• Roy West Jr
• Daniel White

To our Sumter Linemen…

Each year on April 18, National Lineman Appreciation Day offers us the chance to recognize linemen for their dedication, sacrifice, and grit. You certainly didn’t take on this job because the work was easy and the hours were short. On the contrary, you do this work in spite of those things, and you do it well.

At Sumter Utilities, linemen are the very core of our business, and you continue to make Sumter a leader in the industry. But to us, you are more than just employees—you are family. We know you have a choice in where you hang your hard hat, and we’re grateful that you have chosen to wear the Sumter logo on yours.

We are all proud to work alongside you, and today I hope you are proud to call yourself a lineman. The work you do has evolved over the years, but nothing has changed about the importance and magnitude of the one of the nation’s toughest, most admired professions! We truly do appreciate you, and we’re grateful to have you here at Sumter Utilities.

-Derek O’Bradovich, Sumter Utilities President