DispatchThe

Inside… RetirementsRichard Cogdell p4

Benny Tyler p4

Kathy Mullinix p5

Also Inside ...Bowers recognized at charity gala p2

Anniversaries p4

Promotions p5

Births! p5

Sympathies p5

Pat on the back p5

Turkey Trot p6

Kickball team p6

Employee BenefitsCorner p7

New mobilesoftware for Field Services p7

Wedding p7

Dames Day p8

Merry Christmas!Holiday Hours p8

EJackson Energy Authority Newsletter November/December 2014

Jackson Energy Authority is poised to bring thefastest Internet speeds in the country to the com-munity as the company eyes gigabit broadband

services.Ten years ago, JEA built a unique fiber-to-the-

home network to deliver an extraordinary level of serv-ice and value to customers. Today, the EPlus Broad-band network brings high-speed Internet along withhome area networking, telephone with several features,cable TV with high-definition and digitalvideo recording services andexclusive local program-ming. Now, JEA is takingthe next steps to offer evengreater connectivity.

“Jackson’s utility his-tory has always reflected acommitment to serve Jack-son’s citizens and the con-tinued economic future ofour city,” said Jim Ferrell,President and CEO ofJackson Energy Authority. “We built our fiber-optic system anticipatingthe future broadbanddemand and to attractindustry to our area. Weare pleased by the way our community’s residents andbusinesses have embraced our fiber-optic network.JEA’s next step is to offer full gigabit capacity; thisreflects again a commitment to provide service and eco-nomic opportunity to every segment of Jackson.”

Like its other utility services, JEA’s fiber networkbrings a certain convenience and reliability to Jackson.

“Our fiber network in Jackson is designed to deliv-er an extraordinary level of broadband service,” saidBen Lovins, Senior Vice President of JEA’s Telecom-munications Division. “We are taking these next stepsto offer faster speeds to keep Jackson at the forefront oftechnology.”

Gigabit broadband is currently available in selectlocations of Jackson, and JEA is planning to make itavailable to the entire community. Because Jackson

already has fiber to the home, JEA can bringgigabit broadband to every customer withmodifications to the infrastructure. The serviceis expected to be beneficial for business, pub-lic safety and security, industry, education,medical innovations, and the overall quality oflife for residents.

“Jackson is years ahead of most communi-ties in true broadband connectivity due to theinvestment we made in the fiber system, andthe network will continue to be a keystone ofJackson’s success,” Ben said.

One gigabit per second (Gbps) downloadspeeds are equivalent to 1,000 megabits per sec-ond (Mbps). Gigabit broadband enables a new

range of consumer and business applications thatredefine the broadband experience and energize eco-nomic development.

Because of its broadband infrastructure, Jacksonwas recognized by Next Century Cities for providing

Continued on Page 2 ...

Gigabit broadband coming to all of Jackson

Gigabit broadband coming to all of Jackson

The device above will bring gigabit Internet speeds tohomes throughout Jackson.

Lunch Buddies p3

MissionOur mission is to provideexceptional utility services

that create value for our customers

and our community.

VisionJEA will continue to

improve the quality of lifein our community throughthe delivery of high-quality services to our customers.• JEA will be an industryleader in providing utilityservices, exceeding the

expectations of our customers.

• JEA’s employees will berecognized by those weserve as the most knowl-edgeable, highly-skilledand customer-focusedworkforce available.

• JEA will be a leader inthe economic developmentof the community we serve.

ValuesThe values that reflect

our culture and which ouremployees must possess to ensure our mission

and vision are:Integrity • Respect Fairness • Loyalty

Innovation

Page 2

EThe Dispatchis the employeenewsletter for Jackson Energy Authority,

119 E. College St., Jackson, TN 38301.731-422-7500

www.jaxenergy.comn

Publisher: Aletza Boucher

Editor: Mary S. Reed

Contributors:Stacy ScogginsJanet WilbanksChrissy Vandiver

n

The next “Dispatch” will be in

January/February.Send items for the next

issue to Aletza Boucher byJanuary 20, 2015.

fast, affordable and reliable Internet service. It was oneof 31 cities in the country to receive the honor.

According to Next Century Cities, the ability ofInternet networks required for cities to grow and thrivein the 21st century will depend largely on fiber-optic,gigabit networks that can deliver speeds hundreds oftimes faster than the national average.

Next Century Cities held a video conference tomake the announcement during its launch event onOctober 20 in Santa Monica, California. Jackson wasrepresented by Steve Bowers, Communications Manag-

er at JEA, and Tammy Buchanan from the mayor’soffice. The city-to-city initiative also met in Chat-tanooga to continue the conversation about how citiesacross the country are envisioning a gigabit future withfiber optic networks.

Cities such as Jackson have the infrastructure tolead the way.

Be sure to follow the progress as JEA upgrades thenetwork to deliver gigabit service across the communi-ty. Look for JEA’s new technology section called“GigaBits” in The Jackson Sun each month. The nextedition was scheduled for December 21.

Gigabit broadband coming to all of JacksonContinued from Page 1 ...

Steve Bowers, JEA Com-munications Managerand host of several week-

ly shows on EPlus TV6, wasrecognized at the West Ten-nessee Healthcare FoundationCharity Gala for his service inthe community.

With one of the most rec-ognized voices in West Ten-nessee, Steve also can be heardon NewsTalk 101.5 radioshows Daybreak and PrimeTime Drive. While providing aplethora of information onsocial topics, Steve has beencommitted to his local com-munity for 30 years.

With a lengthy list of serv-ice projects, time spent in thecenter of the Jackson commu-nity and the constant presen-tation of local issues, Steve’sreception of the CommunityService Award was no surprise.

Boasting more than 700 guests, the Charity Galaon November 8 marked the 25th anniversary of theevent. The largest fundraising event of the WestTennessee Healthcare Foundation benefits the AyersChildren’s Medical Center and the Kirkland CancerCenter.

As JEA’s Communications Manager, Steve hasbeen uniquely positioned to provide quality, localinformation to people in West Tennessee throughJEA’s local channel, EPlusTV 6, via the EPlusBroadband cable system.

When his son, Clayton, nearly died at birth after

being bornalmost fourmonths early,Steve and hiswife, Pam,became involvedwith the Marchof Dimes andthe Therapy andLearning Cen-ter. Both organ-izations provid-ed critical sup-port duringtheir son’srecovery. He isnow 11 yearsold, healthy andactive.

Steve alsohas used his giftof gab to serve asthe master ofceremonies for

the NAIA banquet, Strikes for Tikes, AmericanHeart Walk, JumpStart Jackson and Signature Chefs.

A board member for the Boys and Girls Club ofJackson, JACOA, the Red Cross, Aspell RecoveryCenter, Ayers Children’s Medical Center and theJackson Chamber, Steve keeps his finger on the pulseof the community. Also serving as an elder and Sun-day school teacher at First Cumberland Presbyterian,he is quick to give others recognition in order to takethe focus off of his own service.

Steve was humbled, yet pleased, with the recog-nition. “It was a very special evening and a treasuredaward,” he said.

Steve Bowers recognized at charity gala

Harbert Alexander, Jr., left, and Frank McMeen, right, presentJEA’s Steve Bowers with the Community Service Award at theWest Tennessee Healthcare Foundation Charity Gala.

Page 3

Lunch buddiesEmployees are rolemodels for students

Agroup of JEA employees begangathering at Isaac Lane Tech-nology Magnet Elementary to

eat lunch with about 50 third, fourthand fifth graders who need positivemale role models.

The Lunch Buddy program ideacame from JEA Benefits and EmployeeRelations Coordinator Chrissy Vandiv-er, who knew of a similar concept inCrockett County Schools. She contact-ed Isaac Lane — JEA’s Partner in Edu-cation — and made arrangements foremployees to essentially show up forlunch and provide one-on-one atten-tion to children in need.

During their most recent visit theweek of Thanksgiving, employeestalked about life and its blessings.“They really encouraged them thatthey can be anything they want to be,”Chrissy said.

The employees have made twotrips to Isaac Lane for the LunchBuddy program, and they have beenwell received by students.

“It is very positive,” said CharlotteWilson, Professional Guidance Coun-selor at Isaac Lane. “They are veryexcited and look forward to it. Theyare really eager to see them.”

Chrissysaid JEA willlikely expand

the program and possi-bly go as often as oncea month. They mayeven recruit womenfrom JEA to be positivefemale role models forgirls.

The first group ofrole models were most-ly from Distribution,but Chrissy said shehasn’t had a problemfinding volunteers. “Ididn’t have to beg any-body.”

Lunch Buddies, from left, back row, are Luke Cain, Brad Henson, BillGordon, Brian Seaton, Dean Emison, Steve McKinnie and Craig Whit-man; and front row, Nathan Cooke, Harvey Ingram, Mike Diggs andKenny Gardner. (Not pictured are Ben Harston and Chris Rich.)

Lunch Buddies, from left, are Drew Ferguson, Ronnie Maness,Jacob Myracle, Chad Harris, John Amos Coley, Ashley Jonesand Adam Phillips.

Lunch Buddies, fromleft, back row, areJason Compton, AshleyMartin, Chad Weekly,Ray Lamport, CharliePequignot and DanielBurchett; and frontrow, Richie White,Zach Zehner, ByronMiller and RichardWatson. (Not picturedis Larence Pirtle).

This Lunch Buddy group includes, from left, back row, Eddie Pressler, Terry Franklin, Khayyan Hen-ning, Kyle Dudley, Russell Gibson, Rodney Stegall, Wes Alexander, Jay Emison, Bubba Plemons, JacobGriggs, Miller Pounds and Mark Welch; and front row, Josh Gabert, Trey Watson, Rick Scales, JasonGable, Wes Davis, Chris Deaton and Steve Ferrell. (Not pictured is Charlie Jones.)

Ray Lamport eats lunch withstudents at Isaac Lane.

After 37 years of dedicated service to JEA, RichardCogdell is retiring. Richard, who started as anapprentice lineman in the Electric Department

in January of 1978, has held many different positionsthroughout the years.

“I have literally worked every position in the ElectricDepartment; from Apprentice, to Lead Lineman, toCrew Leader, to Foreman,” Richard said. In addition tothe Electric Department, Richard spent a short time inthe Field Service Department and was also later a LeadLineman and Foreman in the Telecom Department.Richard’s lineman passion lead him back to a Foremanposition within the Electric Department, and in the lastfew years, Richard chose to serve his final years with JEAas a Serviceman in the Electric Department.

“I have worked with some of the most knowledge-able people in the Electric Line work industry, here atJEA; they are some of the best!” He said. “I have madesome lifelong friends, with not only JEA employees, butlocal contractors and electricians, too.”

In 1974, Richard was just 15 yearsold and remembers “the big icestorm” in Jackson. “We were out ofschool for a week and went sleddingevery day; as kids, we thought icestorms were great!”

After joining theElectric Department,Richard said his per-spective sure didchange! “I viewedice storms in awhole new light; alot of work and nomore play.”

As a lineman, Richard recalls when Jackson was hitby one of the most devastating tornadoes. He and hiscrew had worked long hours to restore power to JEAcustomers. He will never forget one neighborhood thathad been without power for over a week, and as the elec-tricity came on, the residents came out of their homesand clapped and cheered for the crew. “It was a goodfeeling, we felt like rock stars, if only for a moment.”

Richard has always been proud to be a Lineman. “Itis a respected job title throughout the country, andyounger linemen should be proud to wear that label.There is great satisfaction in knowing you are using yourskills, for a dangerous job, to serve your community byproviding them with electricity that is so often taken forgranted,” Richard said.

When he first joined the company, while workingunder some very skilled lineman, they inspired him to bethe best lineman he could be, and he’s been constantlylearning and growing in the profession for 37 years.

“The type of work that we do is not a job that justanyone can or even wants to do. It requires a type of

committed individual who will use his years ofrefined skills to work a dangerous job, safely andprecisely, every day.”

“To this day, the adrenaline still flowswhen the safety call resonates out over the

company radio … ‘COMIN’ HOT!’…I’m going to miss that.”

In his retirement, he and hiswife, Susan, plan to travel, includingRV trips, and boating, fishing, bik-ing and hiking. He also plans tovolunteer, complete some unfin-ished projects at home and spendtime with his family. Richard sayshe’s going to try very hard to

remember what it’s like tosleep late!

Page 4

AnniversariesNovemberDavid Walker 11/23/87

Ronald Maness 11/26/87

Bruce Williamson

11/14/94

Chad Weekley 11/11/96

Lara Coleman 11/24/97

Byron Miller 11/23/98

Clint Newsom 11/21/00

Danny Fowler 11/22/04

Jacinda Whitehead

11/20/06

Leslie Jones 11/26/06

Asanta George 11/28/06

Doalian Wilson 11/16/09

Cody Merritt 11/22/10

Jason Brooks 11/22/10

Andrew Ferguson

11/06/11

Joey Perry 11/01/12

DecemberJoe Baumgardner

12/27/83

Chris Coughlin 12/31/84

Steve Raper 12/12/87

Jim Ferrell 12/14/88

Doug Mays 12/20/94

Chuck Morris 12/02/96

Eddie O’Neill 12/14/98

Elbert Henning 12/11/00

Jason Hollowell 12/11/00

Bart Gladish 12/17/00

Dennis Forrest 12/18/00

Lynn Ivy 12/03/01

Nancy Nanney 12/04/01

John McBride 12/07/01

Jackie Reeves 12/25/01

Becky Hayes 12/02/02

Brian Holder 12/09/02

Kathy Mullinix 12/09/02

Scott Taylor 12/17/03

Kerrie Brooks 12/27/03

Kenny Griggs 12/29/03

Amanda Kimery 12/11/04

Joseph Widger 12/27/04

Jeff Lute 12/11/05

Rick Scales 12/12/05

Allan Hodge 12/25/06

Retiring employees say goodbye ...

Benny enjoyed time with coworkers

Benny Tyler, who will retire at the end of December, has worked for JEAsince June 1978 as a Plant Maintenance Technician for Water and

Wastewater.Benny began his career as a maintenance helper, finding enjoyment at

work by building relationships with his coworkers. He said his coworkersmade each day more enjoyable as they worked on lift stations, wells andplant maintenance.

Originally from Malesus, Benny is looking forward to gardening andfishing near his home in South Jackson.

Look who’s retiring!

Richard Cogdelland his wife,Susan.

Kathy Mullinix, who joined JEA in Decem-ber 2002 as a Staff Accountant, will retire

at the end of December.From the beginning, Kathy has been thank-

ful for her job at JEA. After working at severalother plants that were forced to close, Kathysaid, “I have been very fortunate to come towork here. I always felt like my job was secure.”

Receiving her accounting degree from Lam-buth, Kathy said that she has always had theright characteristics to be an accountant. Detail-oriented and extremely practical, Kathy said thather best characteristic has been her determinedresolve.

“My boss says I’m hard-headed, which isgood when you’re doing accounting,” Kathysaid.

As the plant accountant, she has kept trackof the company assets. She said that every natu-ral disaster has been memorable as she workedwith FEMA to provide reimbursements for dam-ages caused by tornados, ice storms and othertragedies.

She said that one of the best parts of her jobhas been working with the JEA staff, particularlyin engineering and distribution.

Originally from Dyersburg, Kathy plans tomove back home to be close to her mother andsiblings. She is looking forward to having time tospend with her family, and she plans to do onlyone other thing: “Absolutely nothing.”

Page 5

w Debbie Morris, Part-time Cashier, whose father-in-law, Charles Morris, diedNovember 2.

w Jason Compton, Sen-ior Pipelayer in Gas Distribu-tion, whose grandmother,Catherine Compton, diedNovember 8.

w Mark Scoggins, Fore-man in Water Distribution,whose father, Bobby Scog-gins, died November 8.Bobby was also the father-in-law of Human ResourcesCoordinator Stacy Scogginsand Lead Substation Electri-cian Ed Coffman. He was thegrandfather of TelecomSuperintendent MatthewCoffman.

w The family of RetireeTillman Young, who diedNovember 15. Tillmanretired from the Meter Read-ing department in 1988 withmore than 34 years of serviceto Jackson Utility Division.

With sympathy to:

‘Fortunate to come to work here’... to friends and coworkers at JEA

Congratulations to these employees on their recentpromotions!

w Dale Justice was promoted from ProgrammerAssistant to Programmer Analyst.

w Angie Stafford was promoted from Field ServiceDispatcher to Senior Billing Coordinator. Dale Justice

w Ty Cowles, Managerof Commercial and Indus-trial Services, scored a 92percent on his KeyAccounts Certificate Pro-gram exam and completedall the requirements toearn the Key Public PowerAssociate designationthrough the AmericanPublic Power Association.

A pat onthe back

Promotions

Angie StaffordTy Cowles

Births!w Kathy Hopper, Accounting Asso-

ciate II, is a new grandmother. DavisHayden Medling was born November20. His parents are Kelly and BrandonMedling. Kelly is Kathy’s daughter.Davis also has a big sister, Anniston.

w Ray Lamport, an Electric Fore-man in Distribution, is the proud grand-father of Andrea May, who was bornNovember 24. Ray Lamport and Andrea MayDavis Hayden Medling

Page 6

More than 30 JEA employees signed up for the Gold’s Gym 10th Annual Turkey Troton Thanksgiving Day this year. The 5K race featured a field of more than 840 run-ners. It was lots of fun!

Employees run Turkey Trot 5K

‘Power Trippers’ take the field for kickball

The Jackson-Madison County Emergency Management Agencyorganized a kickball tournament at Malesus Park on Sept. 27. Theevent was a fundraiser to benefit Salvation Army Disaster Services andthe Jackson-Madison County Veterans Program. JEA employees formeda team and named themselves the Power Trippers.

Team members are from left, front row,: Brian Cornelison, JasonGable, Fred Cunningham, Kim Cunningham, Emily Humphreys andLori Benson; and back row, Drew Ferguson, John Amos Coley, ErikBrimmage, Bubba Plemmons, Jake Williams, James Jones, Kelly Jones,Robert Mullins, Peyton Abernathy and Elyse Cole.

Page 7

Tennergy dressed up as M&Ms for Halloween. From left, back row, they areCharlotte Armstrong, Joey Coley, Linda Stapleton, Jeff Becker, Braxton Williamsand Richard Clark; middle row, Julia Lester, Amy Hollowell, Jim Ferrell and

Aletza Boucher; and in front, Mechele Williams.

Did you know that JEA’s Employee Assis-tance Program is more than a resource

for drug and alcohol counseling? It’s also a resource for legal advice; homeimprovement tips; counseling for grief,depression, marriage and family issues; andmore. The service, which is provided by Freck-man & Associates, is available to all JEAemployees and their dependents. Visit

www.freckmanandassociates.com and click on“Work Life Services” toward the top left sideof the page. Then use the password “JEA.” The website includes helpful articles withadvice on a variety of topics, as well as theoption to chat online with a licensed therapist. Besides the website, employees and theirdependents can call (800) 331-3226 for helpand advice. The hotline is open 24 hours aday.

Employee Assistance Program EmployeeBenefitsCorner

JEA is implementing new mobile dispatchsoftware for Field Services that optimizeswork orders and enhances reporting.

The ClickSoftware product providesfield workers with critical information attheir fingertips, increasing their efficiencyand productivity. It also gives dispatchersand managers access to real-time informa-tion, allowing them to monitor work ordersand collaborate with field workers.

Fred Cunningham, Superintendent ofField Services, said the software shuffleswork orders based on employees’ skill set

and location. It incorporates GPS tracking,JEA’s GIS capabilities, and depending onwhether a job requires a Serviceman I, II orIII, the system will dispatch the closestavailable technician.

After dispatchers assign a shift’s initialwork orders, the system can take over.“After that, it’s pretty much automated,”Fred said.

The software was recently acquired, anddispatchers will continue to manually assignwork orders to test the system and get com-fortable with operations before implement-

ing an automatic schedule.In addition to increasing efficiency in

the field, Fred said the software enables himto provide better reporting to his supervi-sors. And, it gives Customer Service Repre-sentatives real-time information about workorders, which allows them to give customersan approximate time for which they canexpect JEA to respond to a call.

“It will help our customers if they callin,” Cunningham said.

“That will be a really nice feature forthem.”

WeddingKerrie

Brooks,Creative ServicesCoordinator I,married CaceyClayton Jones onOctober 25 atSand Ridge Bap-tist Church inLexington.

A customer says thanks“I appreciate all of your

good services. I know youare there for us 24 hours aday. May God richly bless allof your employees.”— Mrs. Charles Forsythe

Field Services using new mobile software

Happy Halloween!

JEA was well represented atDAMES Day 2014. Left to right,they were Lee Ann Priddy, SeniorBilling Coordinator; Sandra Wall,Administrative Clerk; Kathy But-ler, Water and Wastewater PlantOperator; Teresa Woods, NewAccounts Representative; StacyScoggins, Human Resources Coordi-nator; and Retiree Brenda Welch.

DAMESDay2014

Merry Christmas!We wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season.

Our offices will be closed December 25 and 26 and January 1.

Page 8