We want to take a moment to celebrate the many achievements of women across the globe including the trailblazers within Liberty. This is a special day to support and celebrate women's social, economic, cultural and political accomplishments. This month we also acknowledge Women's History Month and honor the women who came before us and fought for equality.
At Liberty, we believe a diverse workforce and inclusive culture are key ingredients for innovation, operational excellence, and organizational efficacy.
Our Women of Liberty Employee Resource Group empowers our female-identifying employees to be their best selves by providing a supportive environment to grow and connect with their peers. This group also offers local Circles, where women at Liberty meet to discuss opportunities related to their career aspirations and personal goals and access learning and development through mentorship and networking. Through these local Circle meetings, we, as an organization, work to identify new opportunities, fill gaps and create safe spaces for ideas and experiences to be shared.
International Women's Day is everyone's day, so take the time this month to listen, share, and learn about the experiences of the women in your life, whether they are your family, friends, or even coworkers.
Let's acknowledge the challenges women face, celebrate women's achievements, and raise awareness for women's equality! As feminist Gloria Steinham once said: "The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist, nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights."
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This month has been a month of learning, sharing, and understanding different perspectives.
In today’s blog we would like to continue the moments of learning, sharing, and understanding perspectives by sharing some history and importance of cultural wealth and economics from a different perspective.
As of 2019, there were 134,567 registered Black-owned employer businesses (businesses with more than one employee) in all sectors of the U.S. economy. Black communities have a rich history of becoming entrepreneurs to provide goods and services that were not always readily available to us in mainstream sectors. We used our innate skills and talents to sell products and services within our communities. We all know the mechanic down the street that is not a registered “business” but certainly can feed his family using his abilities and skill sets. We know of our neighborhood elders that could bring a “country” remedy to soothe ailments and heal to supplement income. Or consider the seamstress, the laundress, the hair care maven and of course the builders. The list goes on and on. They may not have office space or “hang a shingle” outside of their door, but it worked, and black communities thrived. As more and more Black Businesses prospered, a need arose to catalog these resources, and ensure sustainability even in the early 1900s. Word of mouth was the primary advertisement until… Black Enterprise Magazine. This publication was unchartered territory and became a beacon of light for greater advertisement, exposure to larger audiences and provided resources to assist in growth and development of black business structure. As a Black Business, you knew you “made it” if you reached that level of recognition.
Black businesses were and still remain diligent to their crafts, humble in their delivery of products and services, expect no less than the opportunity to compete to provide products and services, and lastly expect to be equitably paid for products and services rendered. Black Entrepreneurship eventually did make it into some of the mainstream sectors. Generations of black business are still successful today based on family tradition, entrepreneurial values, good work ethics and most importantly faith! Please see below for some interesting and generational companies that have withstood the test of time and thrive today.
Read and learn about:
Black Wallstreet: Former byname of the Greenwood neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where in the early 20th century African Americans had created a self-sufficient prosperous business district. - What is 'Black Wall Street'? History of the community and its massacre (cnbc.com)
5 Oldest Black Owned Businesses - Black Excellence For Generations: 5 Of The Oldest Black-Owned Businesses | The Michigan Chronicle
McKissack & McKissack (Founded in 1905) – Architecture, Nashville Tennessee
W.H. Jefferson Funeral Home (Founded in 1894), Mississippi.
The Philadelphia Tribune (Founded in 1884) – News Publication, Philadelphia.
NC Mutual (Founded in 1898) – Insurance, Raleigh North Carolina
E.E. Ward Moving and Storage (Founded in 1881) – Logistics, Columbus, OH
Happy National Engineers Week!
This week is to celebrate the achievements and contributions made by engineers in society and around the world. All of the diligent and driven engineers are the ones who impact our everyday living significantly.
In today’s blog, we would like to share two employee spotlights, both who are in the engineering department.
"I have been serving the renewable energy industry since I graduated from University of Waterloo. I spent most of my time in operations & maintenance aspect of solar energy business but since 2018, I was looking to experience the project management side of renewable industry and make a bigger impact by managing capital projects. Luckily, I had the privilege to step into project management of renewable energy sector in 2021 through Liberty as Project Engineer and began to put my expertise for the sustainability & improvement of our key assets especially for Wind & Solar portfolio. At Liberty, I love to be among very diversified and professional people who are always looking to make the things better for providing safe, reliable and sustainable energy for communities.”
Furqan Najmi, Project Engineer, Electrical
“I decided to join Liberty because my professional goals align with the company goals. Not only Liberty is in the renewables industry, but I am confident that working here will provide me with the opportunity to do meaningful work, develop my skills, make a positive impact, to grow and progress within the company. I started at Liberty as a Project Engineer in October 2021 and despite having experience in other types of renewables (Wind, Solar and Energy Storage), I was given RNG projects to manage (Renewable Natural Gas). It made me one of the early RNG pioneers in the company and introduced me to a new technology, which I loved. One year later, in October 2022 I was promoted to Project Manager.
What I like most about working at Liberty are the people and the company's culture, then comes the learning opportunities and the company’s industry (renewables).
The thing that I am most proud of in my career is the fact that I've always worked with renewable energies throughout my professional career, contributing to making the world a better place.
Regarding my goals for the next few months/years, I would say they are to learn more, to show what I am capable of and to grow in the company.
A Fun fact about me is that I like cooking so much that when I decided to move to Canada in 2016, I considered leaving my career in renewables to try a career in cooking and to try and become a chef.”
Saulo Maranhao, Project Manager, Business Development
As we continue to celebrate Black History Month here at Liberty, we are sharing and learning about history, achievements, recognition, and personal perspectives.
Literature, arts, and media are all ways in which information and material can be communicated. Through literature, arts, and media, we are able to understand information and material from a personal perspective.
Reading books by Black writers is important in helping us better understand the world around us as well as what it means to be Black. We learn by understanding the richness of human experience and by exposing ourselves to new perspectives. Stories that help break down barriers of inequality, stereotypes, and bias. Black Authors are well known for historical depictions and commentary through the use of poems, prose, and to inform, educate and share aspects of Black culture.
Below are a few influential Black writers who have written and created a number of significant works that are worth exploring:
Toni Morrison - She is best known for her numerous novels, which include Beloved (Alfred A. Knopf, 1987), winner of the 1988 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction, and Song of Solomon (Alfred A. Knopf 1977), winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award. In 1993, Morrison received the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Maya Angelou - One of the most influential women of our time. She published autobiographies, essays, and wrote many books of poetry. One of her most notable poems is Phenomenal Woman. This poem shows how even though someone is not beautiful on the outside compared to society's standards, there is an inner beauty that makes a woman even more beautiful.
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee (b. 1957; years active 1977-present) - An American filmmaker and actor. Lee's work has continually explored race relations, issues within the black community, the role of media in contemporary life, urban crime and poverty, and other political issues.
Tyler Perry (b. 1969; years Active 1992-present) - An American filmmaker, actor, playwright, author, songwriter, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is the creator and performer of the Madea character, a tough elderly woman. Perry's films vary in style from orthodox filmmaking techniques to filmed productions of live stage plays.
These are only a few of the many notable Black writers that we’d like to highlight. Be sure to use this month to read up on works from new perspectives, educate, and celebrate Black History.
This month, we proudly celebrate Black History. This month is an opportunity to educate ourselves of the rich history of Liberty and the world’s African diaspora, honor the past, and share excitement for the future.
It is important to recognize the history, achievements, and personal perspectives of African diaspora, including literature, art and media, wealth and economics, cuisine, celebrity, and music.
Music is a highly impactful influence on us. Not only can it lighten your mood, ease anxiety and stress, and increase productivity, it can provide you with an opportunity to learn about culture.
For centuries, Black Music has and continues to shape and share the lives, accomplishments and struggles of Black People the world over. The roots and impact of Black Music are much deeper than catchy songs and popular artists. Black culture touches, engages and influences every genre of music: gospel, rock and roll, funk, jazz, rap, blues, hip hop and rhythm and blues.
In Black communities, music finds alignment as a messenger, an outlet and a space for freedom. Take a listen to the richness of Black Music enjoyed by your friends, family, peers, and coworkers. Use this as an opportunity to share knowledge and spark some interesting conversation!
The Negro National Anthem is a poem and song written about the hope and resilience of Black people transcending the enslavement and discrimination of the past and celebrating freedom. This song is also known as “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and many have performed it to celebrate bring people together.
Lift Every Voice and Sing, performed by Alicia Keys
This song and performance touches on the various parts of life and entertainment that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion permeates through our communities and brings us together.
Lift Every Voice and Sing, performed by P.S. Elijah Stroud Elementary School
You can never be too young to share and teach!
A Love Supreme by John Coltrane
John William Coltrane is one of the most influential jazz musicians to ever play, and today remains even more relevant than during his life. A saxophonist, he was initially drawn to the popular jazz formats of bebop and hard bop, before eventually becoming one of the guiding forces behind free jazz.
These are only a couple of the many notable songs and pieces created and performed by Black artists that we’d like to highlight. Be sure to use this month to listen to more pieces from new perspectives, educate, and celebrate Black History.
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Here at Liberty, we understand the value and importance of generational learning and getting fresh perspectives. With the month of January being National Mentorship Month, we want to shine a spotlight on our Reverse Mentorship Program. Unlike a traditional mentorship program, Reverse Mentorship pairs junior employees who take on the “mentor” role and senior leaders who take on the “mentee” role. This program provides junior employees with the opportunity to share their ideas and engage in valuable conversation with senior leaders.
Take a look at some of the co-ops who participated in the Reverse Mentorship Program below and their key takeaways!
My experience with the reverse mentorship program has been extremely rewarding. As a Total Rewards Co-op, the majority of my work deals with the inner works of Liberty, dealing with employees benefits and compensation from the corporate head office in Oakville. Through the reverse mentorship program I was paired up with the Director of Government Affairs, Faviola Ochoa, located in California, and was able to learn more about the great work happening at an entirely different area of Liberty. From the very beginning, Faviola and I discussed all kinds of barriers to success in our professional lives, and I was able to provide my advice and opinions from an outside perspective. These conversations allowed me to develop my own skills, as well as showcase my knowledge thus far, and I can’t wait to take everything I’ve learned from this program into my future. Thanks so much to those at Liberty who took the time to organize this program and to Faviola for such a life-changing semester!
- Rowan Brown, Total Rewards Co-op
I absolutely loved the Reverse Mentorship Program, and I am glad I was a part of this. I feel programs like this enable you to work upon your leadership and communication skills. This program helped me a lot in gaining the necessary confidence to talk to people higher up. One of the benefits of the program is that the generation gap gets reduced by sharing ideas and knowledge. I learned a lot from my mentee and at the same time I was able to provide my opinions and reviews about stuff as well. It helped us both get better insights and POV’s that we might not have thought of. Theresa is a warm, passionate and super-friendly personality. She made me feel super comfortable and I felt free to put my thoughts out without being nervous. The conversations flowed smoothly, and we never felt any awkwardness or tension, another reason why Theresa is such a great leader. Getting to know about Theresa a bit more, I was truly inspired and motivated by her journey, and I will always look up to that. I would take this program up every single time if I am back here since it’s a great nurturing and growth opportunity.
- Shivang Shingala, Service Desk Analyst Co-op
The Reverse Mentorship Program was one of the main reasons I applied for this role at Liberty! Where do you get the opportunity to mentor a Senior Leader? I got the opportunity to be paired with Dale Harrington, Director of Human Resources, he is highly knowledgeable and shared many things with me about the company that I was not aware of. We talked about employee retention, the mindset of the current generation, and their expectations from organizations, including "How do we earn money?" and some information about facilities. We usually have a half-hour meeting that lasts 45 minutes because we both have so much to discuss. This was one of the best parts of my Co-op term, and I am looking forward to participating in this program for my Winter 2023 term as well.
- Farhinbibi Sindha, Talent Acquisition Co-op
Sweeney is Liberty’s Puppy with a Purpose®, a five-month-old black Labrador Retriever. His purpose in life is to provide independence for a visually impaired individual through the Guide Dog Foundation, located in Smithtown, New York. He is being raised by East Region Communications team member Pam Bellings, who takes him everywhere she goes, including to the New York Water offices where she is based and for visits to other Liberty offices.
Presidents Chris Alario, New York Water, Neil Proudman, New Hampshire, and Mark Saltzman, New York Gas sponsored Sweeney through the Guide Dog Foundation as a way to give back to our communities. Guide dogs are life-changing for their owners, and they recognized the impact this donation would have on someone's life. As part of the sponsorship, the three operating centers collectively donated $25,000 to the Guide Dog Foundation to support the program and volunteered to raise Sweeney until he is ready for formal training.
Sweeney loves to chase leaves, steal socks, eat snacks and snuggle, but his absolute favorite thing is to interact with people. Anyone who shows him a little love should be prepared for lots of puppy kisses. He also adores training sessions, which come with non-stop food rewards. He will learn any skill quickly knowing he is getting a treat.
There are lots of tasks Sweeney does each day, but he thinks he’s just having fun. Socialization is his number one task. Sweeney has to learn to be comfortable with people wherever he goes, and he has no problem with that.
He is required to go to public places a minimum of five times each week. This includes visits to grocery stores, the post office, the mall, restaurants, and of course, Liberty offices. He loves these outings so much that it is difficult to get him to leave. He often sits down and refuses to walk to the car. But his treat lady, aka, puppy raiser, can always entice him with some kibble.
Every day, we practice the basics, including sit, lay down, stay and heel. Currently he is also focusing on learning to go to his place when told, and to stay there. He likes going to his place but prefers not to stay. At five months old, he’s got lots of puppy energy.
Additionally, Sweeney has to learn to ignore distractions such as squirrels, birds, sirens, and yes, those blowing leaves that he loves to chase. We teach this by front loading him with treats before he has a chance to go for the distraction. For example, if we see another dog ahead, we start giving him treats while saying “nice” and keep doing this until the other dog passes. This teaches him that ignoring the distraction brings him rewards. It is challenging but he is making incredible progress.
Sweeney is required to attend Guide Dog Foundation puppy classes twice each month, where the distractions are extreme. Lots of other Puppies with a Purpose®, people, airplanes, etc. and the goal is to ignore them. Nobody expects perfection at this age.
The goal is for Sweeney to become an assistance dog, preferably a guide dog for a blind or visually impaired individual. He could have a different career that better suits him if he doesn’t meet the qualifications for a guide dog. He has a long road ahead of him until that point and many skills to tackle. We’re all rooting for him to succeed!
Sweeney is the most affectionate little puppy. He came to us at 22 pounds and now weighs in at approximately 46 pounds. Everyone loves him and he loves them right back. He is eager to learn and is becoming more mature each week. It is rewarding to see him succeed at a task and know that his skills will one day provide a life changing experience for a person in need. That person will be lucky to have him, and we are lucky to have him for this time.
Get to know Julianne through her story of coming out as trans in her personal and work life, how living authentically has changed her life, advice for those who may be considering coming out, and ways you can support those in the LGBTQ+ community.
Julianne has worked as a contractor on several Liberty projects in the Central Region for the last two years. She earned her Associate of Science in Electrical Engineering from Southwest Virginia Community College.
What led you to a career in engineering, and specifically working in the energy sector?
My father was a project manager in construction and engineering. He spent many years teaching me the principles of critical thinking, problem solving and project planning that helped to shape my interest in the field. In high school, I took a keen interest in industrial arts programs like wood shop, metal shop, electronics and drafting. I always had a fascination with electricity and the processes by which it’s utilized, so electrical engineering came as a natural career path.
I began my professional career as a drafter for a company in St. Louis. As I grew into a senior designer role, I specified equipment, ran calculations, and produced full designs for senior engineer’s review. Through these experiences, I also had the opportunity to spend time in the field. This drove my interest in pursuing field construction work, which I found both challenging and rewarding. It was gratifying to make decisions that directly impacted projects and produced tangible results.
As a result of project work, I discovered that the energy sector offered a breadth of experiences and new challenges that bring diversity to my daily work.
How long have you worked on Liberty projects?
I have worked on projects for Liberty for two years. Beginning with the 91-O line from Gentry, AR, to Neosho, MO, I provided daily observance, progress reporting, quality assurance and coordination from the field for Liberty. I then performed similar responsibilities in Monett, MO, for 69KV distribution line upgrades. This was then followed by the Sub 322 replacement project in Anderson, MO, where I assisted Liberty in the project site coordination, materials management, field progress reporting, and quality assurance. More recently I have been providing this same resource for Liberty at the Sub 432 substation replacement and line upgrades in Webb City, MO.
What do you love most about your work?
My favorite part about my work is the process by which the team arrives at the end result. I enjoy collaborating to address challenges and implement innovative solutions.
When did you know you were trans?
I first knew that something was different about me in my teenage years, but the social norms of the time (the 1980s-1990s) made it difficult to identify what that difference was. I had never even heard the term “transgender” until I was in my twenties – and then, only briefly. When I came to fully understand the term, I had a profound realization that this explained how I felt, but I was still afraid to talk to anyone about it.
How did you come out in the workplace?
About five years ago, I began a period of self-reflection that resulted in truly accepting myself for who I am. Through the support of my partner, I developed the courage to begin coming out in public, though I was not yet out in the workplace. Fears of misperceptions and social acceptance kept me from letting the people around me know who I truly was for some time. I learned about &PROUD, our LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group at Burns & McDonnell and felt supported by fellow members. Eventually, I felt comfortable approaching a manager who was touring a Liberty project site and began the journey to live as my authentic self at work.
How was that received?
Everyone has been extremely respectful and courteous. In fact, I feel like the crews on project sites have even more respect for me since coming out because of my courage in being authentic. Many within the construction community make a concerted effort to use my preferred pronouns, which I greatly appreciate.
What do you wish people would better understand about trans people?
I wish people would better understand that many transgender people, like myself, are happy to help educate others about things they may not understand regarding being transgender, if asked respectfully and with sincere intent. Through these conversations, we often discover more similarities than differences.
What recommendations would you give to those not in the LGBTQ+ community who may have questions about pronouns or how to address someone who is trans?
If you are speaking with a person and are unsure, don’t hesitate to ask what their preferred pronouns are. Avoid immediately assuming gender pronouns. Many non-binary individuals may prefer not to be gendered. I often experience being gendered as male due to my deep voice, despite my name and presentation as a woman. It may not seem like much to those who are not in the LGBTQ+ community, but pronoun misuse can affect an individual far more than the speaker realizes.
Do you have any advice for anyone who may be struggling with how to come out in the workplace?
Fear is a hard emotion to overcome, but fear is often a feeling that we manifest based on an untrue representation of reality. Find a small group of people who you know and trust. Try talking to them first to build your confidence in coming out. Diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace has come a long way, and it only continues to progress if we have the courage to show up authentically for ourselves and our colleagues.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience as a trans person?
Since coming out as trans, I have experienced newfound joy and fulfillment. Being true to myself is not easy, but it brings inner peace. I try to serve as an example to other transgender individuals and parents or family members of transgender individuals. My hope is that they see that we can continue to be successful in whatever we choose to do, and we do not have to give up our dream careers or previous lives to be our authentic selves.
NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY
This October 11, National Coming Out Day, is a day where individuals in the LGBTQ+ community spread awareness that prejudice thrives in silence. This day is celebrated on October 11 of each year and was inspired by 500,000 people who marched in Washington for Lesbian and Gay rights on October 11, 1987. Every year, the popularity of National Coming Out Day becomes stronger and more vibrant. We now see notable celebrities come out and support this day to help spread awareness. The continuing plan is to eliminate hate and homophobia to allow family, friends, and colleagues to come out in a safe environment and be their authentic selves.
A REAL-LIFE COMING OUT STORY:
“I came out when I was 25. It was very difficult at first. The first thing my mom said to me was “Are you going to cut all your hair off now”. Well, I did LOL. My family struggled because I grew up southern Baptist. We were always taught that this was against god’s will. That is why it took me so long to come out and be my true self. I struggled with knowing my family would not accept me being a lesbian. 3 years later, my brother came out as well. I think this was even harder on my family. They struggled with what did they do wrong. It has taken a lot over the years to help them understand it wasn’t them, or the way they raised us. It’s just who we are. I am now 46, and I have a wonderful relationship with my parents. My younger brother does as well. My older brother loves us, but too many hurtful things were said and done in the past, so that relationship is strained.” - Liberty Employee
HOW YOU CAN BE A PART OF NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY:
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Today, on National Veterans Day and Remembrance Day, we honor and celebrate all those who served and still serve in our armed forces. Here at Liberty, we believe in offering support to our past and present military soldiers and their spouses and families. We proudly employ vet
We are honored to share the stories of our employees who have served or are still serving in the military, the skills they learned and how they transitioned those skills into their current roles with Liberty.
I served in the army from 2001 through 2009. I was stationed in Tikrit Iraq for all of 2004. I was a gunner on an up-armored Humm-v. We were responsible for providing convoy security throughout Iraq, but mostly operated in and around Baghdad. The picture with the swords was taken in the "Green Zone" in Baghdad. Serving in our military was one of the best things I've done in my life. It taught me discipline, integrity, and most of all being a leader.
I grew up in a proud military family, yet there was never an expectation to serve. However, when the September 11th attacks happened, my choice was made clear that I would serve our country. I served in the Marine Corps as a rifleman and assigned the role of a fireteam leader. During this time, I went through various combat training schools, learned a lot of individual leadership skills and team cohesion skills at the small unit level that played into the larger unit role. Many of these valuable leadership skills have proved valuable in civilian life. After a sometimes-challenging adjustment period and with the support of my wonderful wife and two loving children, I have been able to adapt. I first had an opportunity to work with Liberty as a contracted gas inspector starting in April of 2018 and was ecstatic when Liberty awarded me the role of Construction Supervisor (Gas) in October 2020. One cannot put a price on the growth, opportunity, and challenges in joining Liberty.
I was a 25B – IT Specialist, my last position was LAN Manager for the 1-28 Infantry Battalion at Fort Riley, KS. I served 4 years and ended as a Specialist, E4. The military prepared me to work for Liberty. I managed the IT for an infantry battalion. This included installing and maintaining routers, switches, firewalls, exchange servers, active directory, and end user devices. I served as the unit IMO which led to vulnerability management as well as taking ownership of information assurance training for the unit. Each of these duties have proven to be valuable even after transitioning out of the military. I use the skills/knowledge I gained in that environment almost daily to assist the employees of Liberty. I started with Liberty in June 2018.
I enlisted in the Air Force in 2005, and after being stationed in the Azores then Florida, I transitioned to the NH Air National Guard where I still serve as a Master Sergeant and RAWS (Radar, Airfield, and Weather Systems) Team Chief. Many of the soft skills and technical skills I picked up in the Air Force make me a better engineer today. Liberty has been very accommodating of my military service. When I had a short-notice activation to man a COVID vaccination site, Liberty and my management team made the transition as smooth as possible.
I am a retired U.S. Army Colonel. After 26 years as an Army Ranger and 6 combat tours in the Middle East, my family and I needed to slow down and settle into the next chapter of our lives. I wanted my second career to be something different, but equally challenging and rewarding. Liberty offered me the opportunity to join a team of professionals that deliver essential services, solve problems, innovate, and demonstrate genuine care for employees and our customers. A perfect match! Since joining Liberty in February 2020, I have focused a lot of my time on work that helps our business achieve our sustainability goals. I lead the East Region Sustainability Council and have several Renewable Natural Gas projects in the works. I love my job, my Liberty teammates, and being part of Sustaining Energy and Water for Life.
I was a Lieutenant (LT) in the US Navy on nuclear submarines from 2005 – 2010. I started with Liberty in 2016. I enjoyed my time in the Navy. I learned a lot about nuclear power and engineering while operating the deadliest war machine ever made. I made a lot of good friends. My most fond memory is surfacing the ship in the middle of the North Pacific, climbing up into the sail, and opening the hatches to see the entire night sky before me. Another unforgettable experience was listening to Wu Tang Clan while working out on an exercise bike right next to a nuclear missile hundreds of feet deep in the ocean.
I was in the Combat Engineer Reserves in 2000-2003. Started with Liberty in March 2020. I joined the Army as a Combat Engineer through a high school co-op program where I earned credits while completing basic training. After graduating I spent a summer in Gagetown, NB, completing my QL3 or basic field engineering training. Combat engineers are trained to ensure that troops can live, move, and fight on the battlefield. They also perform construction and maintenance tasks, operate vehicles and equipment in support of engineer operations, and maintain field installations and facilities. After returning from this course, I had an opportunity to start a Construction and Maintenance Electrician Apprenticeship which ultimately replaced the Army as my chosen career path.
July 18, 2021, I started my Army Reserve journey by leaving my home state of Arizona to go Fort Jackson South Carolina for 2 months to do Basic training, followed by 6 months of MOS training at Fort Gordon Georgia to earn the MOS of 25 Bravo. During my training I had the privilege of being taught how to become a soldier and learn my duties by the Drill Sergeants and NCOs that were at Fort Jackson and Fort Gordon. There is a handful of NCOs from my training and my current duty station that I look up to and strive to be. My Army journey at moments tested my limits, however with my battles and the NCOs I look up to, there are no limits to what can be done for this country that I love and call home. To all other branches and components, I support you and thank you for your service.
On behalf of Liberty, we would like to thank all the past and present military soldiers for your dedication, service, and commitment to your country and the Liberty Family.
October 6, 2022
Collaboration Creates Cohesive New York Water Customer Service Team
New York Water is excited to open a local customer service center that will allow customers to access information about their accounts and get answers to their questions from a local team, dedicated to our water customers. As part of the acquisition of American Water, Liberty New York Water committed to opening a local customer service center to provide improved customer service to our Long Island customers. To do this, and achieve our customer satisfaction goals, it was determined that we needed to hire a team.
Our recruitment began internally, emailing our New York Water employees a link to the job postings and encouraging them to share with friends and family, as we knew our fantastic employees would only bring us more fantastic employees. To be thorough, we also posted the positions to our career site.
Applications rolled in and interviews took place over a two-month period, allowing us to begin training the first hires in July. The second half of the team joined us at the beginning of August and the entire team has since become a cohesive group, throughout their intensive training period, leading up to their go live date in November.
As the Senior Manager, Customer Service, I oversee the entire customer service team for New York Water and recruiting employees who care about helping our callers was my top priority. The team we have in place is enthusiastic and eager to learn. They have toured our plants, listened to presentations from managers in all areas of the business, and they have practiced answering calls. When our call center opens in November, they will have the knowledge needed to answer customer questions. This was our goal – to minimize the number of calls a customer needs to make and to have the answers ready for them.
It is important to have local customer service representatives who understand the geographical area we serve and can relate to the customers. This will allow them to make connections and respond to inquiries appropriately.
Through collaboration with managers and the human resources team, we now have a customer service department that we are confident will be successful and make a difference in our communities.
You can also read the stories from two individuals involved in the recruiting and hiring process of the New York team below:
My name is Giovanna Fregapane, and I am a Talent Specialist with Liberty. Earlier in the year, I was given the initiative to lead the recruitment efforts in staffing our New York, Merrick call center. I really enjoyed working with the hiring leaders and learned a lot about our New York teammates through this process. Through our perseverance, constant communication, and high paced rate of work, we were able to fill all our openings within a month. The team is now fully staffed, and I am so happy to know that our new hires are enjoying their new roles and being a part of the Liberty family.
I was excited to apply for a job at Liberty after hearing about their Customer Service Department opening in Long Island. I saw this as a great chance to explore their careers opportunities. The application process was a very straightforward process.
Here I am on my third week at Liberty, and everyone has been so welcoming and helpful. They all seem to share the same goals and have a sense of purpose within the company. Everybody seems happy and valued, making me feel the same way. It has been an incredible experience for me. I am very eager and excited about what the future holds for me at Liberty.
September 29, 2022
Continuing with September's National Emergency Preparedness Month the EHS and Business Resilience teams would like to highlight coping with disaster and the available disaster distress resources you can use. This is the last article in our four week series.
Recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process. Safety is a primary issue, as are mental and physical well-being. If assistance is available, knowing how to access it makes the process faster and less stressful.
Understand disaster events
Children and older adults are of special concern in the aftermath of disasters. Even individuals who experience a disaster “second hand” through exposure to extensive media coverage can be affected.
Contact local faith-based organizations, voluntary agencies, or professional counselors for counseling. Additionally, FEMA and state and local governments of the affected area may provide crisis counseling assistance.
Individual effects of a disaster
Recognize signs of disaster-related stress
When adults have the following signs, they might need crisis counseling or stress management assistance:
Programs to Support Disaster Survivors
FEMA has several Individual Assistance programs designed to support disaster survivors. You can apply now at DisasterAssistance.gov or review the following types of assistance to determine what best suits your needs.
The Disaster Distress Helpline is a resource for anyone experiencing distress or other mental health concerns related to natural or human-caused disasters.
September 9, 2022
Over the last 3 years, Liberty’s Talent Acquisition team has worked on formalizing the campus recruitment program. In this time, we have had the pleasure of welcoming approximately 200 co-ops and interns in a variety of business units – Engineering, Sustainability, Health and Safety, Operations, Finance, Accounting – to name a few. We have been successful in fostering an environment of learning and development through challenging projects and tasks, regular lunch and learns, networking opportunities, and e-learning courses available to our students.
We welcome the knowledge and diversity of thought that these students bring to the organization and we truly value their hard work and dedication. Our intention is to support the learning, development and growth throughout their work term(s) and have been fortunate to have several return back for another term or join us part-time, full-time or on contract.
Below you will find a feature from one of our former co-op students on our Environmental Health and Safety team, Olivia Kijak.
Working at Liberty for multiple co-op terms was a wonderful experience for my personal and career development. I was looking for a placement where I can grow as a safety professional and Liberty is the place to do that. The EHS team is full of strong leaders and problem solvers.
Throughout the pandemic, the co-op program at Liberty was extremely supportive and brought many opportunities to make connections and grow my knowledge.
I am now a permanent employee with Liberty as a Coordinator, EHS within the Environmental Health & Safety team. It has been great to be a part of many important projects that have been focused on keeping people safe at work and at home.
- Olivia Kijak - Coordinator, EHS
June 16, 2022
During Pride Month here at Liberty, we celebrate the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community while recognizing their achievements and contributions in the utility workforce. Liberty is committed to supporting the health and well-being of all members of the LGBTQIA+ community and want to remind you about our Friends of Liberty Employee Resource Group. Friends of Liberty’s mission is to provide a comfortable, safe place for employees to connect while focusing on education and representation of the LGBTQIA+ community.
In today’s blog post, we would like to share the stories from two of our employees, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and Friends of Liberty ERG.
I am Cherishe Barbee, and I started with Liberty in 2015 in the Regulatory department. When I am not working, I’m spending time with my husband and our two daughters. We love to be outside. Gardening, hiking, camping, and going to the beach are a few of our favorites.
I joined Friends of Liberty because inclusivity and acceptance are extremely important to me. I have been an ally for as long as I can remember (my dad, aunt, uncle, and best friend just to name a few are a part of the community) and I want to be part of spreading the message that a person’s value is not determined by their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Growing up, I didn’t think anything of it, to me it was normal because I was around my dad and his partner and my family members and their partners, but I had friends who didn’t always understand or say the nicest things. I want to be a part of the change, to help promote awareness and decrease prejudices. This ERG brings people together and is a safe place for all.
- Cherishe Barbee | Analyst III, Rates and Regulatory Affairs
Hello! My name is Amanda Holt. My pronouns are She/Her. I am Panromantic Demisexual. For those who are learning new terms, that is broken down into Panroma meaning the potential to feel romantic attraction to people of any gender (Female, Male, Trans, Gender Fluid, or Enby) but only feel (Demi)sexual attraction to people they have close bonds with.?I am a Central Region Employee; I work IT helpdesk. I am totally techie and spend a lot of time working on computers, even outside of the job. If not working on tech stuff, I spend lots of time with my family and my partner.?I have only been at Liberty for a year now, and every day I am impressed with my fellow employees and the pure diversity that Liberty has and supports.
I joined Friends of Liberty because I was just so ecstatic that the company, I started with had things going on in Pride and supports the community. This was the first company where I didn’t feel like I needed to hide or keep my status private as being part of the LGBTQIA+ Community. There is always a fear, a fear of rejection, and a fear of action from those who do not support. That comes with being part of the LGBTQIA+, but this company’s way of opening up communication and showing that differences don’t matter, but the people themselves, are a good solid step. Love is Love, and it shows here at Liberty.
- Amanda Holt | Associate, Service Desk
Every year on May 21, nations around the globe celebrate World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. Since 2005, the United Nations, through its Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has kept culture, diversity, and conversation at the forefront of civilization’s sustainable development. May 21st highlights the importance of global cultural celebration and acceptance, and calls attention to the fact that culture and diversity are critical to sustainable development.
Liberty’s Commitment to Cultural Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
Liberty recognizes this powerful impact of diversity and inclusion on business success. By fostering a supportive work culture and business practices that are free from barriers and bias, our goal is to have an organization with diverse backgrounds, abilities and viewpoints to inspire collaboration, creativity and innovative thinking. As part of our Guiding Principle of Teamwork, Trust, Inclusion and Respect, and through celebrating and valuing our differences, we will build a sustainable future for our employees, customers and communities.
There are three Employee Resource Groups that provide the opportunity for employees to make a difference and champion change at Liberty:
Cultural diversity does not only bridge the gap between peace, stability, and development. However, it is a driving force of economic growth, and leads to a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional, moral, and spiritual life.
- Neil Proudman | Chair, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council
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