Employee Spotlight - January 2017 - GDS Associates, Inc

STAKING TECHNICIAN | Hi-Line

Jay started with us in 1999 as a drafter. He is one of the original group that joined GDS with the Hi-Line merger. In the early days, he did all of our mapping and specification drawings for the Auburn office. He also helped out in the field as a rodman and gathering permit data when needed. As the years progressed Jay showed a desire to learn more about the staking side of our business. So…Richard sent him to Ohio.
Jay spent about 6 years traveling back and forth to Ohio doing staking work on overhead distribution lines in the mountains of southeast Ohio. While in Ohio, he got an easement signed by the Bob Evans family on the original family farm near Rio Grande, OH (just make sure you don’t use the Spanish pronunciation for Rio; they will correct you…). It’s also been rumored that he saw the Mothman while he was working on the Ohio and West Virginia border.

Jay has not shied away from any work locations that have been thrown at him. He has an innate ability to make every town he works in feel like home and has made an adventure out of every new location we travel to. He has staked distribution lines for Cooperative utilities in Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, Texas, and South Carolina. He has worked in waders in the swamps of South Georgia, in the arid desert of Texas, and most enjoyably around the beaches of Alabama. He made several trips out west with us collecting system inventories on electrical distribution systems on Navy Bases in California and Nevada. Recently, he also traveled to Stockton, CA to help with a surveying seminar we were teaching. I can tell you from experience, it was good to know we had a former US Marine in the park with us that day…
Jay has been a valuable member of our team and has garnered the trust and confidence of each and every client that he has worked with. His current duty station is at Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative in South Carolina. They have been pleased with his work and continue to give him additional staking jobs that will keep him busy for the foreseeable future.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?

• I enjoy boating and vacations to the beach. Occasionally, I play golf. The best thing about traveling is when I’m able to spend time with my wife of 10 years. From time to time, my two sons, their families and my five grandchildren will join us. Family is very important.

What’s the best thing about GDS?

• I think GDS is a great place to meet new people. I’ve had the opportunity to travel. Most importantly, the work is rewarding and I enjoy my coworkers. I like knowing I’ve made an impact for both our company and clients.

What’s your favorite sports team?

• Auburn Tigers, War Eagle!

What’s something your co-workers don’t know about you?

• I was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with combat ‘V’ for Valor during Operation Desert Storm.