Tag: Employees

Giving back is the cooperative way

Written by mlitwicki on December 13, 2023. Posted in Community, Livewire.

Giving back to our community is the cooperative way

December 1, 2023

At Trico, we believe that connection powers our purpose. This connection brings us together as a community – with the understanding that we can do more together than we could do by ourselves.

Trico employees live in the communities we serve and throughout the year we host food drives and other donation events. Employees also donate to United Way of Southern Arizona and volunteer throughout the community, including at the Sahuarita Food Bank & Community Resource Center.

Wes Crane, Land Services and Environmental Supervisor, said volunteering for the food bank was a rewarding experience. “The folks running the food bank are great, and the people getting help really appreciate it,” he said.

During the Trico Golf Tournament, employees raised $850 for the Cooperative Family Fund (CFF). The mission of CFF is to strengthen the bonds of cooperative families by helping cooperative employees and their children deal with grief and the loss of a loved one. To learn more about CFF and donate, visit www.cooperativefamilyfund.com.

Employees had a chili and salsa cookoff to support the Homicide Survivors Hope for the Holidays. Employees raised $240.

As your electric cooperative, we’re proud to power your life and make a difference in our community. You can help Trico achieve that goal by joining Operation Round Up. Sign up by December 31, 2023 for your chance to win a $100 bill credit. For more information, visit www.trico.coop/operation-round-up.

Caption: Our employees make a difference in the community by volunteering at the Sahuarita Food Bank & Community Resource Center and hosting food drives and other donation events.

Cross-country journey in Ford Lightning electric truck was great learning experience for Trico

Written by mlitwicki on June 13, 2023. Posted in Livewire.

By Rylee Schull

In March 2023, Trico employees Sabrina and Bryan English, an IT Specialist and a Journeyman Lineman respectively, embarked on a 3,852-mile round trip from Trico to Nashville, Tennessee, and back in a Ford Lightning F-150 all-electric truck.

Sabrina and Bryan went to Nashville for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) PowerXchange and TechAdvantage conferences. They made stops at electric cooperatives along the way, including Columbus Electric Co-op in New Mexico. On the way back, they stopped at First Electric Cooperative in Jacksonville, Arkansas. "They were so welcoming, and we appreciated them letting us charge the Lightning," Sabrina said.

While at a charger, they met an employee from Craighead Electric Cooperative in Arkansas who was also heading to the PowerXchange conference and driving a Ford Lightning. It’s always a happy coincidence to meet with our co-op family.

"After this experience, we both agreed we would travel with an electric vehicle again like this," Sabrina said. "Charging times allowed us to take breaks, get our steps in, shop, and most importantly save money and the environment by not buying gas and reducing our carbon footprint. Chargers were easily accessible and available at frequent stops across our route. We only had one issue with a charger, but after calling Electrify America (an EV public charging network across the U.S.) they were able to fix the problem quickly and get us on our way."

The journey took a total of 78 hours, including stops and charging time, which was faster than expected due to the efficiency of the

350 kW chargers. Despite the freezing temperatures impacting range, with 221 miles at 90% charge compared to 273 miles, the average charge times were only 35 minutes. The total charging cost of $385 was roughly a third of what they would have paid for gas. Overall, the trip was a success and highlighted the potential for all-electric trucks to handle long-distance travel.

Trico is proud to continue meeting the needs of our Members, including learning more about EVs and providing upcoming rates/options for our Members with EVs.

To look back at Sabrina and Bryan’s journey, visit Trico’s Facebook page at facebook.com/TricoElectricAZ or Instagram at instagram.com/TricoElectricAZ.

Answers to your questions

Our Members had questions about the trip. Here are the answers to those questions.

Where do you find charging stations?

There are a few ways to find charging stations, but here are the top two options Sabrina and Bryan used:

1) Electrify America is a great option that you can use to map out your entire route. It will show you where all their chargers are located, and typically they have quick chargers available!

2) Many EVs have built in navigation that can help route you to chargers to make sure you won’t run out of power before getting to the next station.

Does the weather affect the mileage?

The freezing temperatures did impact range, with 221 miles at 90% charge compared to 273 miles.

Outside temperatures, particularly colder weather, can impact the range of an EV. Unlike a gas-powered vehicle, where the heat is mostly coming from the engine, an EV must produce cabin heat and manage an optimal battery temperature with energy that comes from the battery, which can reduce battery range.

Are electric vehicles reliable for road trips?

You can make a long road trip without fear of getting stranded, as long as you plan ahead. That means juggling route-planning apps and billing accounts with various charging companies, which can get confusing. And be prepared for the unexpected, like glitchy charging equipment touchscreens, billing questions and inoperable plugs.

How far can you travel in an electric vehicle?

Many of today's EVs have a range well over 100 miles per charge, with some models reaching more than 300 miles per charge.

Apprentice dreamed of being lineman like his dad

Written by Monica Pugno on June 3, 2022. Posted in Livewire.

From a young age, Trico apprentice lineman Anthony Anaya dreamed of being a lineman. His father, Dan, has worked at Trico for 30 years.

When Anthony was 4-years-old, he grabbed his dad’s climbing gear out of his truck and put it on.

“I knew from day one that this is what I wanted to do,” Anthony said. “I grew up around here (Picture Rocks, Avra Valley). I’d see the linemen wave as they drove down the road in their bucket trucks. I saw how our Members looked up to my dad with respect. It intrigued me to want to be lineman.”

When Anthony was younger, he also wanted to pursue a baseball career. He played second base for a club team from 8-years-old until 14-years-old. He played baseball in high school at Marana High. He still plays ball for an all-men’s league at Sports Park.

“But the more I thought about it, I knew baseball wouldn’t take me far,” he said. “It took money to make money. I realized being a lineman is what I wanted to do.”

Anthony started at Trico as a Groundman in September 2020. He is now in the first year of a four-year lineman apprenticeship. Anthony said he got emotional when he found out he was hired by Trico.

“For years, it’s what I dreamed of,” he said. “It was a dream come true. I still feel the same way. It’s a great work environment. We’re like brothers out there. Everyone works safe because we all want to get home safe.”

Working safely is one of the many lessons Anthony learned from his father.

“He has taught me to double check everything, to work safe and work hard,” Anthony said.

Dan started at Trico in May of 1992 in the Auto Shop and was a Meter Reader. In April 2003, he became a Journeyman Lineman after a four-year apprenticeship. During his apprenticeship, he learned that Trico and its Members come first. Family comes second. He hopes Anthony and the other young lineworkers understand what it takes to be a good lineman. Over the years, Dan missed some of Anthony’s baseball games, birthdays and holiday gatherings because he was on call.

“Some people dream of becoming a lineman and some people do it for the money,” Dan said. “I told Anthony to do it because it’s what you want to do, not for the money. I’m happy (he wants to be a lineman). It’s nerve-wrecking. I want him to do it the right way and for the right reasons. I try to teach him some tricks. I test him on different scenarios.”

Dan said what makes a good lineman is being able to do it all – overhead and underground power line work – and knowing the whole system and how to troubleshoot.

“I know the system in my head,” Dan said. “I want Anthony to be like that. It’s more than just knowing how to do overhead line work. It’s a credit to Trico that our linemen know how to do all aspects of power line work.”

Anthony knows being a lineman won’t be easy. He understood why his dad couldn’t be there all the time when he was growing up.

“He was the only one working in the family because my parents agreed that my mom would stay home and raise my sister and I,” Anthony said. “My mom did a great job raising us. I understood that he was trying to give us the best life he could. He’s always been dedicated to Trico and his job. It’s a lifestyle. I know at times it’s going to be hard. That I’m going to miss holidays and birthdays.”

Anthony said his father would go out of his way to make up for missing occasions, which wasn’t necessary.

“He was there for me when I was growing up,” Anthony said. “After work, he’d be tired, but he still tried to make a baseball game, play catch or ride dirt bikes. I’m really proud of him, what he did for me and my sister. He always had our back. He put his body through a lot. In his eyes and mine, it was for a good cause.”

Anthony hopes his son, Hudson who is 10-months-old, will want to be a lineman and carry on the family tradition.

“There are several linemen in my family,” he said. “My girlfriend’s family are linemen too. There is a lot of stuff my dad taught me that I want to teach my son. I will teach him to work safely, work smart and think ahead.”

To all the amazing fathers out there, we hope you have a wonderful Father’s Day.

The power behind your power

Written by Monica Pugno on April 8, 2022. Posted in Livewire.

You’ve likely noticed Trico’s crews out and about, working on power lines and other electrical equipment in our service areas. It’s no secret that a lineworker’s job is tough—but it’s a job that’s essential and must be done, often in challenging conditions. This month, as we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day on April 11, I thought I’d share some interesting facts about electric lineworkers with you.

The work can be heavy, in more ways than one. The equipment and tools that a lineworker carries while climbing a utility pole can weigh up to 50 pounds. That’s the same as carrying six gallons of water. Speaking of utility poles, lineworkers are required to climb poles ranging anywhere from 30 to 120 feet tall. Needless to say, if you have a fear of heights, this likely isn’t the career path for you.

Lineworkers must be committed to their career––because it’s not just a job, it’s a lifestyle. The long hours and ever-present danger can truly take a toll. In fact, being a lineworker is listed in the top 10 most dangerous jobs in the U.S.

Lineworkers often work non-traditional hours, outdoors in difficult conditions. While the job does not require a 4-year college degree, it does require technical skills, years of training and hands-on learning. Becoming a journeyman lineworker can take more than 7,000 hours of training (or about four years). That’s because working with high-voltage equipment requires specialized skills, experience and an ongoing mental toughness. Shortcuts are not an option, and there is no room for error in this line of work.

Despite the many challenges, Trico’s lineworkers are committed to powering our local community. During severe weather events that bring major power outages, lineworkers are among the first ones called. They must be ready to leave the comfort of their home and families unexpectedly, and they don’t return until the job is done, often days later. That’s why the lineworker’s family is also dedicated to service. They understand the importance of the job to the community.

Nationwide, there are approximately 120,000 electric lineworkers. Trico has over 25 groundmen, apprentice and journeyman lineworkers who are responsible for keeping power flowing 24/7, 365 days a year. To do this, they maintain 3,961 miles of power lines across three counties and 2,346 square miles. In addition to the highly visible tasks lineworkers perform, their job today goes far beyond climbing utility poles to repair a wire. Today’s lineworkers are information experts who can pinpoint power outages from miles away. Line crews now use laptops, tablets and other technology to map outages, survey damage and troubleshoot problems.

Being a lineworker is essential to the life of our community. Without the exceptional dedication and commitment of these hardworking men and women, we simply would not have the reliable electricity that we need for everyday life.

So, the next time you see a lineworker, please thank them for the work they do to keep power flowing, regardless of the time of day or weather conditions. Afterall, lineworkers are the power behind your power. Please join us as we recognize them on April 11, and follow “#ThankALineworker” on social media to see how others are recognizing lineworkers.

Making our community a better place

Written by Monica Pugno on February 2, 2022. Posted in Community, Livewire.

Trico employees have a lot of heart and over the holidays they showed it by collecting items for teens in need. Donations included backpacks, clothing, shoes, hygiene products, board games, Legos, sports equipment and puzzles. In addition to the gifts, employees raised more than $1,200 in cash and gift cards for Casa de los Niños.

“You made a big difference in the lives of kids and families who are in dire need,” said Kimberly Gutierrez, Development & Public Relations Coordinator. “Many children and their families face enormous struggles all year long but due to the COVID-19 pandemic these challenges have greatly intensified, and these families truly needed help now more than ever. Because of donors like you, children and families were able to celebrate the holidays with hope.”

We know our Members have big hearts too. More than 5,000 Members participate in Trico’s Operation Round Up program. Your contributions support the Trico Electric Charitable Trust, which awards grants to non-profit organizations providing critical services in southern Arizona.

Grants are awarded in May and December of each year. The proceeds are used to assist community organizations, schools, veteran’s groups, first responders, and food banks.

In 2021, Trico gave out $70,000 in POWER Grant funds, including $35,000 in grants to the organizations in the chart below in December.

Treasures 4 Teachers of Tucson received a $2,500 POWER Grant at the beginning of 2021, which was used to ensure that all teachers have the materials and the safety equipment they needed to get their schools back in session safely. Over 40 teachers from the Marana, Altar Valley, Vail and Sahuarita school districts received membership scholarships. Treasures 4 Teachers also used the grant to purchase fans in their warehouse and hire two part-time employees.

“It gets very hot in our warehouse in the summer as we only have a swamp cooler,” Director Adrienne Ledford said. “We purchased three more fans with the grant money. We are growing and because we have always been volunteer-run having someone reliable to help makes a big difference.”

Integrative Touch for Kids also received a $2,500 POWER Grant for its TeleFriend program, which provides Telehealth buddies for children with medical needs to have someone to spend time, play games and experience social interaction, during COVID-19.

“As a result of your contribution to our program, we were able to reach more kids in need and provide them with buddies to help break out of the isolation they live with at home or in the hospital,” said Tom Matteson, Philanthropy and Business Operations Manager. “Thank you so much, and we look forward to expanding these programs in 2022.”

How you can help

Trico’s POWER Grant Program is funded through Operation Round Up. For less than $1 per month, you can make a difference in your community. For example, let’s say your electric bill is $82.73. If you participate in Operation Round Up, your bill will be automatically rounded up to $83, with the extra 27 cents going to the Trico Electric Charitable Trust. The most you will donate is about $12 a year, and your donations are tax deductible.

Click here to sign up.