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The Fayetteville Public Works Commission (PWC) has earned the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Safety Award of Excellence for safe operating practices in 2024. PWC earned the Diamond award in the category for utilities with 250,000 to 999,999 worker-hours of annual worker exposure.

“Achieving the highest award for safety from the APPA is a testament to the dedication and hard work of every employee at PWC,” said Timothy Bryant, CEO/General Manager of Fayetteville PWC. “Promoting safety is a core value for PWC. This ensures that not only do we do the right thing in making sure our employees end the workday safely, but also helps to control costs for both the organization and for our ratepayers.”

More than 200 utilities entered the annual Safety Awards for 2024. The entries are placed in accordance with their number of worker-hours and ranked based on the most incident-free records and overall state of their safety programs and culture during 2024. The incidence rate is based on the number of work-related reportable injuries or illnesses and the number of worker-hours during 2024, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Some of the initiatives PWC was recognized for to achieve this national award include:

• Maintaining a low incident rate
• Enhanced safety training and daily job safety briefings to prevent incidents from occurring
• A safety reporting system and safety audits to promote best safety practices and correct unsafe behavior before an incident occurs
• Investment in safety equipment and PPE

As a result of this commitment to safety, PWC has seen a marked reduction in workplace incidents and an overall improvement in employee confidence regarding their safety on the job.

“Harnessing electricity to keep our communities powered is vital work that can be dangerous, even deadly, if the proper attention isn’t paid to tried-and-true safety practices,” said Jon Beasley, Chair of APPA’s Safety Committee and Vice-President of Electric Cities of GA. “This award honors utilities that hold fast to these practices and – in doing so – put the safety of their personnel and their customers above all else.”

APPA has conducted the Safety Awards annually for more than sixty-six years. APPA is the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 2,000 towns and cities nationwide.

PWC has earned their seventh Diamond level Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) ® designation from the American Public Power Association for providing reliable and safe electric service.

The RP3 designation, which lasts for three years, recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines: reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvement. Criteria include sound business practices and a utility-wide commitment to safe and reliable delivery of electricity. PWC joins more than 250 public power utilities nationwide that hold the RP3 designation.

“Receiving an RP3 designation is a great honor signifying a utility has demonstrated commitment to industry best practices,” said Jeremy Ash, Chair of APPA’s RP3 Review Panel and General Manager at Kansas City Board of Public Utilities, Kansas. “And ultimately, the culture developed from this pursuit of excellence and continued improvement through the RP3 program results in measurable value delivered to the local community.”

PWC is proud of its work delivering incredible value to our customers.  In managing a 1,400-mile distribution and transmission system comprised of 37,853 streetlights and 32 substations, as well as operating the Butler-Warner Generation plant, we ensure reliable, safe, and affordable services for a community of more than 223,000 people.

“This designation reflects the dedication and hard work of our team in ensuring safe, affordable electric services for our neighbors at a reliability rate among the best of all electric utilities in the Country,” said Timothy Bryant, CEO/General Manager of Fayetteville PWC. “We are proud to be recognized among the top public power utilities in the nation, and we will continue striving for excellence for our community.”

To learn more about PWC’s award-winning services, visit www.FayPWC.com.

Fayetteville, N.C.- Fayetteville Public Works Commission’s (PWC) Chief Operations Officer for the Water Resources Division, Mick Noland and Chief Financial Officer, Rhonda Haskins, have announced their intent to retire, effective January 1, 2025. 

“Over the years, PWC has led in delivering safe, reliable, cost-effective services to our customers by maintaining strong leadership across our organization,” said Timothy Bryant, CEO/General Manager of Fayetteville PWC. “I thank Mick and Rhonda for their unwavering dedication to PWC and the greater Fayetteville and Cumberland County area as they look forward to the next season of their careers.”

During his 31-year career of service at PWC, Mick Noland has led the Water Resources Division in meeting changing regulatory requirements as well as leading his team in winning numerous awards recognizing the Company’s commitment to safe water supply. Additionally, he served as PWC’s Interim CEO/General Manager for nearly a year. Upon his retirement, Mick will have capped 48 years of dedicated service to North Carolina, Cumberland County, the City of Fayetteville, and their citizens.

“Serving the residents of the PWC service area has been a professional pleasure to say the least.” said Mick Noland, Chief Operations Officer for Water Resources. ““I am grateful for all the good work, helping residents, and supporting communities during my tenure at PWC.” 

Misty Manning has been promoted to the new Deputy Water Resources Officer position for Fayetteville PWC starting Monday, August 5, 2024. Ms. Manning joined PWC in 2010 as a Water Engineer and has grown within the organization to the role of Water Resources Engineering Manager and served as Interim Chief Operations Officer for Water Resources in 2022. A native of Cumberland County, Ms. Manning graduated from N.C. State with a degree in Civil Engineering.  She is a Professional Engineer and recently completed the United Way Leadership Development Program.

It is planned that Ms. Manning will succeed to the position of Chief Operations Officer for Water Resources in January 2025. 

Rhonda Haskins has served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since June 2018. Prior to her CFO appointment, she served as the Director of Financial Planning for 17 years. She joined PWC in 1994 and has been critical in PWC’s commitment to financial excellence for over 30 years. She holds both the North Carolina Certified Public Accountant and Certified Global Management Accountant certification and is a member of the N.C. Association of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs.

“It is bittersweet to be saying goodbye to PWC and the people here after 30 years,” said Rhonda Haskins, Chief Financial Officer of Fayetteville PWC. “So many members of the Finance Division have played a pivotal role in PWC’s success and financial responsibility, something we are all very proud of, and I leave the organization in very capable hands.”

Rhonda Graham has been named Deputy Finance Officer for Fayetteville PWC starting Monday, August 5, 2024. Ms. Graham joined PWC in 2017 as the Budget Manager and has served as Controller since 2021. As Controller, she managed financial reporting, general ledger, payroll, accounts payable, and accounts relievable functions. That includes overseeing PWC’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. Ms. Graham is a past board member of the United Way of Cumberland County and serves on their Community Impact Council.

It is planned that Ms. Graham will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer in January 2025_._