Late last year, Corporate Communications held our annual departmental strategic planning meeting at a Monastery a couple miles north of Schuyler. Our day-long gathering was in the Saint Benedict Center, Conference Room C. On the wall outside the next room over — Conference Room B — a small sign had the words “Midwest Maintenance” printed on it. At noon, I stood in line and waited for … [Read more...]
It Isn’t As Easy As It Looks
I’m not much of an NBA fan. Typically, I only tune in when it’s playoff time, and things on the hardwood get serious. This year has been different. About midway through the season, I happened to stumble across a game while flipping through the channels. OK, I admit, I am a Settler. I have cable. Not even TiVo. That aside, it was a game between the Golden State Warriors … and … [Read more...]
College Experience Teaches Merits of Public Power
I have a confession to make – I am not a born and bred Nebraskan. I was raised in North Dakota, which means that I have not always been fortunate enough to have my electricity provided by public power. I know the realities of being a customer of a privately-owned utility, which means I also know what makes public power great. Case in point – the winter of 2007-2008. This was my first year of … [Read more...]
A Beautiful Sight Indeed
My father wasn't much of an outdoorsman. Instead of hunting, he liked to take long drives across my home state of South Dakota, passing many an I-90 billboard painted with images of pheasants, fish and white tailed deer. We’d crisscross our way back home taking country roads, and he’d point to fields of beans, corn, wheat and prairie grasses with repeated admiration, Isn't that the most beautiful … [Read more...]
10 Years in Public Power
Whether celebrating decades of working at NPPD or securing just a handful of years under their belts to date, a few things are clear: NPPD teammates have great career ambitions, personal connections, and an invested interest when it comes to public power in Nebraska. Lean a little more about the job of Norfolk Customer Service Leader Shana Halsey, who has been with NPPD for 10 years. How does … [Read more...]
20 Years in Public Power
Whether celebrating decades of working at NPPD or securing just a handful of years under their belts, a few things are clear: NPPD teammates have great career ambitions, personal connections, and an invested interest when it comes to public power in Nebraska. Learn a little more about the job of Columbus Electronic Records System Specialist Tracy Hake, who has been with NPPD for 20 years. Tell … [Read more...]
30 Years in Public Power
Whether celebrating decades of working at NPPD or securing just a handful of years under their belts to date, a few things are clear: NPPD teammates have great career ambitions, personal connections, and an invested interest when it comes to public power in Nebraska. Each week throughout Public Power Month, the Behind Your Outlet blog will feature four unique viewpoints regarding working in … [Read more...]
40 Years in Public Power
Whether celebrating decades of working at NPPD or securing just a handful of years under their belts to date, a few things are clear: NPPD teammates have great career ambitions, personal connections, and an invested interest when it comes to public power in Nebraska. Each week throughout Public Power Month, the Behind Your Outlet blog will feature four unique viewpoints regarding working in the … [Read more...]
Sandwich malfunction presents moment of clarity
Believe it or not, I’m trying to control my weight. I’m not being too successful, but I’m trying. I"ve lately been eating healthier. Yesterday, I went to a local sandwich shop for lunch. I ordered a chicken sandwich. Better than a burger and fries, I rationalized. The woman working behind the counter, as employees from this national chain of sandwich makers do, asked did I want any special … [Read more...]
Standing With Public Power
It’s funny how over time things kind of repeat themselves. We had a customer bring me the Rural Electric Nebraskan from April1972. It was fun to look back at the topics of the articles and to see what “Custer Public Power” was talking about in the insert, when I noticed an editorial page with the title of “Spirit of Nebraska.” The editor of the magazine wanted to “get up on his soapbox.” So I … [Read more...]