English (United States)
Although it’s impossible to measure the exact impact one individual can have on the world, we know it can certainly be exponential. It is easy to see the impact of a highly influential person like Tom Osborne or Willa Cather. But, sometimes significant impact can be made simply by saying a kind word to a coworker or stopping to help someone having difficulties loading groceries into their car.
The smallest act of kindness can leave a lifelong impression on someone and have a ripple effect.
Now take that sentiment and multiply it by 1,950. That’s how many teammates we have at NPPD, and it’s here we have the biggest opportunity to make a real difference.
Ask me what impresses me most about these individuals, and the answer is easy: their character and integrity. Our teammates have it in spades.
Our people are humble. With steady hands and their noses to the grindstone, they get the work done. Would they call themselves heroes? Definitely not. But, in an age where nearly everything relies on electricity, and that need is increasing dramatically, the work our teammates do is greater than ever. Their work powers more than 500,000-plus homes and businesses across Nebraska.
Our people have a lot of staying power at NPPD. We often have folks who celebrate their 40th anniversaries here. Several have seen the buildout of our power plants throughout the decades. And these plants, themselves, have served heroic purposes, powering hospitals that save lives and businesses that make communities stronger.
Recently, our teammates had the opportunity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Cooper Nuclear Station this year, and the 40th anniversary of Gerald Gentleman Station Unit 2 in 2022.
Why do they stick around? Because they know what they do matters. Because they believe in public power. And because they care about the people they serve.
To experience the longevity of public power in Nebraska and to be the only entirely public power state in the nation does not happen without a dedicated and resourceful workforce.
You may know many of them because they’re regularly at the forefront of our business – I’m talking about the transmission and distribution crews, the customer service representatives and the account managers.
But plenty more are behind the scenes, like our teammates in the mailroom, mechanics, engineers, environmental specialists, or financial experts. And in fact, when we have students intern or job shadow with us, they are often surprised to find out we have communication, human resources, procurement, legal, health and wellness, and economic development departments, among many more!
Without any one of these teammates, our business would suffer. Our customer service would suffer. Our ability to improve others’ quality of life would suffer. And so, yes – it takes the entirety of our team to deliver on our mission and vision, to honor our values and to meet our strategic goals.
Our people and plants have withstood the test of time and accomplished great things because they have evolved alongside the rest of the world. With a questioning attitude, they ask the hard questions and come up with unique solutions to new challenges our customers are facing.
Though the work they do is critical, it’s also important to recognize their contributions within their communities. This is where their livelihoods are, their people, their favorite game-day spots or after-hours hangouts. This is where they’re raising their families and pursuing their own dreams.
We have so many volunteer firefighters among us. Military veterans. Builders of houses through Habitat for Humanity. Baseball and soccer coaches, and church and charity supporters.
We have teammates who string Christmas lights for hometowns and banners for local parades using our bucket trucks. And, we have people who, when an emergency strikes or mutual aid is requested, don’t hesitate to give up their nights, weekends or time with their own loved ones to get that power back on as safely and quickly as possible.
Just like modern-day heroes, they prove they are “Always there when you need us.”
While that humbleness will always remain, there’s still a certain type of pride that exists among Nebraskans. It’s quiet and found in a job well done. The measure twice, cut once mentality. No pats on the back required.
We are hard at work developing new generation resources to power the many exciting projects and business coming to the state. These projects are coming here because they have finally discovered what we know well: that there is no place like Nebraska. There is no power like public power. Our consistently low-cost rates and excellent reliability prove that.
A hero is defined as someone who has courage, accomplishes outstanding feats and demonstrates noble qualities. I see these attributes every day in teammates who desire to be part of something bigger than themselves and who put customers first.
They are our true heroes of our grid, and they deserve to be celebrated not just as Public Power Month begins, but throughout the year.
