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$3500 in Back-To-School Funds for Lake County Schools

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO Energy is committed to supporting education in the school districts in its service area. As part of SECO’s new back-to-school initiative, Lake County Schools is receiving $3,500 to enrich back-to-school activities in Lake County.

 

The funds are intended to support events like back-to-school teacher luncheons, new teacher welcomes and training sessions. The funds can also be used to support back-to-school events for students and parents such as after school back-pack programs and school supplies needs.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO serves almost 63,000 members in Lake County, and we know the school district will make good use of these funds for back-to-school programs. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative headquartered in Central Florida for almost 80 years, SECO believes that supporting education creates strong community partnerships. SECO’s school support initiative is a positive step for education in our area.”

 

Key Accounts Consultant Hank Bolduc presented the $3,500 check to the Lake County School Board during its board meeting on Monday. Chairman Marc Dodd stated “Education is woefully underfunded and we greatly appreciate SECO’s support.” School Board Superintendent Diane Kornegay graciously thanked SECO for its contribution to the District’s back-to-school events.

 

Education is a key cooperative principle, and SECO has long supported local students. For more than two decades, SECO has awarded scholarships to graduating high school seniors who live in a home served by SECO. During this 20-year program, upwards of $500,000 was awarded to over 250 local students to help them fulfill their dreams of a higher education.

 

Energy Services Specialists from SECO Energy often visit with local students to spread the word about electrical safety, solar power and saving energy. Presentations and speakers are available for groups and civic clubs of all ages. These presentations are like an educational field trip that comes to the schools and saves the time and expense of running buses. Request a speaker and presentation online or call 352-793-3801.

 

Learn more about SECO Energy’s commitment to community online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

$2500 in Back-To-School Funds for Sumter County Schools

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO Energy is committed to supporting education in the school districts in its service area. As part of SECO’s new back-to-school initiative, Sumter County School District is receiving $2,500 to enrich back-to-school activities in Sumter County.

 

The funds are intended to support events like back-to-school teacher luncheons, new teacher welcomes and training sessions. The funds can also be used to support back-to-school events for students and parents such as after school back-pack programs and school supplies needs.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO serves almost 60,000 members in Sumter County, and we know the school district will make good use of these funds for back-to-school programs. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative headquartered in Central Florida for almost 80 years, SECO believes that supporting education creates strong community partnerships. SECO’s school support initiative is a positive step for education in our area.”

 

Key Accounts Consultant Ryon Meyers presented the $2,500 check to the Sumter County School Board during its board meeting on Tuesday. School Board President Richard Shirley graciously thanked SECO for its contribution to the District’s back-to-school events.

 

Education is a key cooperative principle, and SECO has long supported local students. For more than two decades, SECO has awarded scholarships to graduating high school seniors who live in a home served by SECO. During this 20-year program, upwards of $500,000 was awarded to over 250 local students to help them fulfill their dreams of a higher education.

 

Energy Services Specialists from SECO Energy often visit with local students to spread the word about electrical safety, solar power and saving energy. Presentations and speakers are available for groups and civic clubs of all ages. These presentations are like an educational field trip that comes to the schools and saves the time and expense of running buses. Request a speaker and presentation online or call 352-793-3801.

 

Learn more about SECO Energy’s commitment to community online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Donates Trees to Marion County Women’s Shelter

SECO Energy enriches its commitment to local communities by donating trees and shrubs to The Shepherd’s LightHouse, Inc., a women’s shelter in Belleview dedicated to assisting single mothers and their children. The shelter is currently renovating and the trees and shrubs will be planted to beautify the grounds and create a homey atmosphere for the residents.

 

The Shepherd’s LightHouse is dedicated to helping people in need by providing transitional housing to single mothers and their children. The shelter provides a safe place for the residents to live while offering basic life skill classes tailored to the client’s needs, life coaching to help residents set future goals, transportation assistance to work or day care and computer access to help job-seekers connect with potential employers.

 

The Shepherd’s LightHouse is also a community resource center offering residents valuable, hands-on work experience by volunteering at the Shepherd’s LightHouse Thrift Store. The thrift store also offers volunteer opportunities, and accepts donations from the community to provide an income stream to the shelter. In addition, the LightHouse manages six reduced-rent apartments for struggling families. Last year, Shepherd’s LightHouse assisted 77 south Marion County families in various capacities.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, serving members in Marion County for almost 80 years, SECO Energy is a long-time supporter of local communities. SECO employees support local causes by volunteering their time and monetary support. Each year, SECO employees donate toys in our Christmas-time Toys for Tots drive and make generous contributions to United Way. Last year, SECO employees raised over $50,000 for United Way with over $13,000 slated for Marion County.”

 

Shepherd’s LightHouse Case Manager Theresa Chambers stated, “The Shepherd’s LightHouse is a direct service program structured to help mothers overcome negative life cycles and the barriers that keep her and her children from moving into an independent lifestyle. We are very grateful to SECO Energy for supporting the needs of mothers in south Marion County and thank them for the trees and shrubs. We are currently in the process of completing a renovation beautification project, and the trees and shrubs will enable us to add finishing touches to the project.”

 

Learn more about SECO Energy’s commitment to community online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

$500 in Back-To-School Funds for The Villages Charter School

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO Energy is committed to supporting education in the school districts in its service area. As part of SECO’s new back-to-school initiative, The Villages Charter School is receiving $500 to enrich back-to-school activities for the school.

 

The funds are intended to support events like back-to-school teacher luncheons, new teacher welcomes and training sessions. The funds can also be used to support back-to-school events for students and parents such as after school back-pack programs and school supplies needs.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO serves over 45,000 members in The Villages, and we know the school will make good use of these funds for back-to-school programs. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative headquartered in Central Florida for almost 80 years, SECO believes that supporting education creates strong community partnerships. SECO’s school support initiative is a positive step for education in our area.”

 

Dr. Gary Lester and Dr. Randy McDaniel of The Villages Charter School Board gave a special recognition to SECO and our Board of Trustees member Richard Belles during Thursday’s Board Meeting.

 

Education is a key cooperative principle, and SECO has long supported local students. For more than two decades, SECO has awarded scholarships to graduating high school seniors who live in a home served by SECO. During this 20-year program, upwards of $500,000 was awarded to over 250 local students to help them fulfill their dreams of a higher education.

 

Energy Services Specialists from SECO Energy often visit with local students to spread the word about electrical safety, solar power and saving energy. Presentations and speakers are available for groups and civic clubs of all ages. These presentations are like an educational field trip that comes to the schools and saves the time and expense of running buses. Request a speaker and presentation online or call 352-793-3801.

 

Learn more about SECO Energy’s commitment to community online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

$1000 in Back-To-School Funds for Citrus County Schools

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO Energy is committed to supporting education in the school districts in its service area. As part of SECO’s new back-to-school initiative, the Citrus County School District is receiving $1,000 to enrich back-to-school activities in Citrus County.

 

The funds are intended to support events like back-to-school teacher luncheons, new teacher welcomes and training sessions. The funds can also be used to support back-to-school events for students and parents such as after school back-pack programs and school supplies needs.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO serves over 15,000 members in Citrus County, and we know the school district will make good use of these funds for back-to-school programs. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative headquartered in Central Florida for almost 80 years, SECO believes that supporting education creates strong community partnerships. SECO’s school support initiative is a positive step for education in our area.”

 

Education is a key cooperative principle, and SECO has long supported local students. For more than two decades, SECO has awarded scholarships to graduating high school seniors who live in a home served by SECO. During this 20-year program, upwards of $500,000 was awarded to over 250 local students to help them fulfill their dreams of a higher education.

 

Energy Services Specialists from SECO Energy often visit with local students to spread the word about electrical safety, solar power and saving energy. Presentations and speakers are available for groups and civic clubs of all ages. These presentations are like an educational field trip that comes to the schools and saves the time and expense of running buses. Request a speaker and presentation online or call 352-793-3801.

 

Learn more about SECO Energy’s commitment to community online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

$3000 in Back-To-School Funds for Marion County Schools

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO Energy is committed to supporting education in the school districts in its service area. As part of SECO’s new back-to-school initiative, Marion County Public Schools is receiving $3,000 to enrich back-to-school activities in Marion County.

 

The funds are intended to support events like back-to-school teacher luncheons, new teacher welcomes and training sessions. The funds can also be used to support back-to-school events for students and parents such as after school back-pack programs and school supplies needs.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO serves over 56,000 members in Marion County, and we know the school district will make good use of these funds for back-to-school programs. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative headquartered in Central Florida for almost 80 years, SECO believes that supporting education creates strong community partnerships. SECO’s school support initiative is a positive step for education in our area.”

 

Education is a key cooperative principle, and SECO has long supported local students. For more than two decades, SECO has awarded scholarships to graduating high school seniors who live in a home served by SECO. During this 20-year program, upwards of $500,000 was awarded to over 250 local students to help them fulfill their dreams of a higher education.

 

Energy Services Specialists from SECO Energy often visit with local students to spread the word about electrical safety, solar power and saving energy. Presentations and speakers are available for groups and civic clubs of all ages. These presentations are like an educational field trip that comes to the schools and saves the time and expense of running buses. Request a speaker and presentation online or call 352-793-3801.

 

Learn more about SECO Energy’s commitment to community online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

Energy Insider – 2nd Quarter

SECO Energy Insider, 2nd Quarter - Avoid Taking the Bait When Hackers Phish

Avoid Taking the Bait When Hackers Phish

 

Online phishing emails are a very real and dangerous trend. According to Wikipedia, the annual worldwide impact of phishing was as high as five billion dollars as of 2015. Today, this number is substantially more.

 

Being aware of what phishing emails look like and how to avoid them can save a company a lot of money, damage, and stress. Computer hackers love to go phishing, but instead of baiting hooks, they’re sending emails. They disguise what looks like a trustworthy email in order to obtain sensitive information from companies and individuals. Phishing is a form of social engineering designed to trick people into clicking what appears to be a valid link but instead causes damage in one way or another.

 

The reason hackers phish is to obtain sensitive and profitable information. By clicking on the link in their email, you may be doing anything from installing a virus to allowing the hackers into your computer network. Either of these is to gain information to be used against the company or for access to sensitive information such as a social security number or password. For example, the hacker may obtain a company’s username and password to their bank account and start making money transfers. They may gain trade secrets or future plans. This vital information is up for grabs if someone is not careful when receiving a phishing email.

 

Phishing emails are designed to blend in with emails employees receive every day. For example, if you work in the accounting world and are accustomed to emails with invoices, you might receive the same type of email from a hacker with only a couple of variations. One may think that a small change isn’t a big deal, but that little detail could make all the difference. Often, the emails give a time frame or sense of urgency in order to prompt a quick click without thinking. For example, claiming your bank account is hacked and you need to click the link to reset your password. Phishing emails also often contain grammatical errors. A good example of a phishing email will look something like this:

 

SECO Energy Insider, 2nd Quarter - Avoid Taking the Bait When Hackers Phish, phishing email example

 

The easiest way to avoid falling victim to phishing emails is to always pay close attention. The “From” portion of the email address will often be similar to email addresses you would normally recognize. The slight difference could be as simple as an extra letter. Many times the sentences are not well written.

 

If an email is not one you’re expecting, question why it is being received. If the email is suspicious in any way, check with your company’s IT security team. If you receive an email asking to change a password for anything from a bank to a medical insurance site, call the company first or go directly to the website instead of clicking the link. Always check the legitimacy of the email before moving forward and warn others so everyone knows to be wary of a possible incoming attack.

 

 

 

SECO Energy Insider, 2nd Quarter - One-size-fits-all Does Not Apply

One-size-fits-all Does Not Apply

 

When it comes to surge protection, there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Sometimes consumers spend a lot of money on surge products only to be disappointed. Typically this doesn’t relate to the product itself, instead, it’s because the manufacturer’s recommendations for installation have not been followed, contributing to poor product performance.

 

When contemplating surge protection think about multiple layers of protection. The goal should be to make sure the protector is installed as close as possible to the source you’re trying to protect. Let-thru voltages increase for every foot of excess wire used in an installation. This means additional unwanted surge energy can travel directly to your equipment/systems increasing the potential for damage. The rule-of-thumb is to use as little wire as possible, avoid loops and bends, and follow instructions as outlined.

 

Although installation is a key factor in ensuring success, without a properly connected ground at the service entrance, dollars spent on surge protection are spent in vain. Have a professional test your grounding effectiveness before you get started. Once grounding is confirmed, draw a circle around your facility. Take a look at all lines coming in such as the electric, phone, satellite, and cable. Then determine the best way to protect each point of entry.

 

Besides primary surge protector at your service entrance or before the first breaker in your main panel box, add protection at all subpanels. Pay careful attention not to forget panels feeding security systems, outdoor lighting, gates, fountains, etc. Utilize point-of-use devices on indoor equipment such as computers, copiers, fax machines, and phone chargers. Statistics show up to 80 percent of power surges are generated internally. Although these are not the surges that do the most damage, they degrade equipment over time.

 

For more information on how to protect your commercial/industrial facility from damaging surges contact your SECO Energy Key Accounts Consultant. We’ll be glad to arrange for our surge vendor to help you formulate a plan to fit your company’s specific needs.

 

 

 

SECO Energy Insider, 2nd Quarter - Member Spotlight, E.R. Jahna Industries

Member Spotlight: E. R. Jahna 474 Sand Mine, Clermont, Florida

 

E.R. Jahna Industries is American-owned and has been independently operated since 1934 from their headquarters in Lake Wales Florida. Building upon his construction and concrete background, Emil Jahna, Jr., started mining operations in 1946 supplying sand for local businesses producing concrete. Beginning in the late 1960s, E.R. Jahna’s Central Florida locations allowed them to flourish by supplying construction grade sands to Disney World, Interstate 4 and the surrounding building growth. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, E.R. Jahna Industries purchased and started several new mines to expand their Florida footprint.

 

Today, E.R. Jahna remains owned and operated by the second and third generations of family. They continue to grow in the mining industry currently operating four sand mines in Florida and one in Savannah, GA. The company is a leading producer of high quality and reliable aggregate products – specifically sand. However, the term aggregate applies to a broad category of either fine or coarse particulate material such as silica sand, gravel, slag or crushed stone. These products are mined and used in concrete, concrete products, construction and every day modern life applications. Drain fields, road base, materials for concrete, sand for golf courses, roof tile, power poles, pavers, concrete pipe, concrete block and beach replenishment are all typical uses of aggregates here in Florida.

 

Although sand mining may sound simple, it is not! It requires a huge investment and an involved process to ensure a high quality product to meet end-use expectations. At E.R. Jahna’s in Clermont, Florida (served by SECO Energy), a dredge is used to remove sand from a pit. The sand is then transported through a pipeline to the sand plant. The sand plant washes and separates material through different processes to meet the customer’s end-use requirements. During its journey through the plant, the sand is screened of foreign debris, washed, sized, and the water removed creating the final sand aggregate product(s). Because the sand is so hard and abrasive on the metal processing equipment, continuous maintenance is required to meet production schedules and customer needs. E.R. Jahna’s maintenance program is key to its reliable production capabilities and quality products.

 

In order to compete in a competitive marketplace, E.R. Jahna continues to increase efficiency in extracting aggregates companywide. Many projects include sand plant re-configurations, efficient pump and motor upgrades, and an extensive geologic analysis of reserves and production yields. Over the next year, the E.R. Jahna 474 Independent Sand Mine will see drastic capital improvements including the total rebuild of the sand plant. With new technology and continued learning, E.R. Jahna can remain competitive and on the forefront of the aggregate mining industry.

 

 

 

SECO Energy Insider, 2nd Quarter - SECO Energy Is “Storm Ready,” Are You

SECO Energy Is “Storm Ready,” Are You?

 

Hurricane season began on June 1st and SECO Energy stands “Storm Ready.” Our System Operations Center is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and crews and support staff are available around the clock. Our Emergency Restoration Plan serves as a guide to ensure the timeliest restoration of service even under the most adverse circumstances. SECO Energy’s operating plan is continually evaluated and updated annually because we understand the importance of electricity to your business. However, this is only half the battle. You too must be storm ready.

 

For your business, being storm ready may not necessarily apply to a weather event or service interruption at your location. Depending on your operation, there could be a number of things with the potential to impact your bottom line. Having a plan in place to deal with concerns increases the chances of your business surviving. Statistics show that ninety percent of companies fail within a year unless they can resume operations within five days after a catastrophe.

 

In today’s world, businesses must prepare for the impacts of many hazards including natural disasters like hurricanes, tornados and flooding. Then there are human caused hazards, acts of violence and terrorism, technology-related issues and equipment failures. Whether the disaster is major or minor, anything that has the potential to cease operations at your location for a prolonged period of time can be crippling. A good plan is necessary to prevent this.

 

Many experts advise developing a preparedness plan consisting of the five steps as follows:

 

  1. STEP ONE-Program Management
    Assign an administrator to organize, develop and identify the regulations that establish the minimum requirements of your program.
  2.  

  3. STEP TWO-Planning
    Gather information and examine ways to identify, assess, prevent and reduce hazards and risks. Done correctly, this would include a business impact analysis.
  4.  

  5. STEP THREE-Implementation
    Create a written plan to address resource management, emergency response, communication, operational continuity, IT, employee assistance, incident management and training.
  6.  

  7. STEP FOUR-Testing and Exercises
    Evaluate your plan on an ongoing basis by conducting multiple types of training and exercises, using the results to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan.
  8.  

  9. STEP FIVE-Program Improvement
    Establish a cycle of review and methods of evaluation and make the necessary changes to keep the plan current.

 

Related to your hurricane preparedness plan, be sure your plan includes actions to be taken before, during and after the storm. Keep the lines of communication open for everyone involved. It is imperative employees understand their assignments and reporting procedures. Be sure site issues, such as boarding up buildings, securing or relocating signs or equipment and removing loose debris, are done before the storm’s arrival. After the storm, wait until the area is declared safe before proceeding to survey damage. Then, survey the site for safety hazards, downed power lines, leaking gas or fluids and damage to foundations or piping. If you lose power, report the outage to your SECO Energy representative and visit our Storm Center and Facebook at SECOenergy.com for progress updates and to monitor restoration efforts.

 

Remember, you are not alone. There are many resources to assist you in preparing for disasters. FEMA, the State of Florida and the Small Business Administration all have resources available on-line including free sample emergency plans, preparedness checklists and templates.

 

 

 

SECO Energy Insider, 2nd Quarter - Energy Conservation Tips for Small Retailers

Energy Conservation Tips for Small Retailers

 

Saving energy makes good business sense. Not only is conserving energy good for the environment, but it’s also good for your bank account. Implementing a few simple energy conservation strategies can help reduce your monthly energy bill.

 

Historical Usage
By monitoring your energy usage on your monthly electric bill you can identify patterns and understand normal monthly consumption. Knowing how and where energy is consumed is a first step to reduce costs and lower consumption.

 

Energy Efficient Equipment
Whenever possible, upgrade or retrofit light fixtures to CFLs or LEDs and consider adding occupancy sensors to turn lighting off in storerooms or other seldom-used areas. Make it convenient to unplug all equipment, not in use, with the aid of a power strip.

 

Control Your Thermostat
Many offices seem to have ongoing thermostat wars that can actually decrease your energy efficiency and lead to higher energy bills. Prevent this by investing in a programmable thermostat. According to ENERGY STAR® you can save $180 annually. Additional savings can be achieved if you program a more conservative setting during unoccupied hours.

 

Keep the Heat Outside
Ensuring your business is properly insulated and taking steps to reduce drafts can help lower your monthly bill. Door seals, window coverings, and door closers are just a few examples of low-cost ways to conserve energy.

 

For more information on how to save, contact your SECO Energy representative and arrange for a free personalized energy assessment of your facility.

 

 

 

 

BARBIE SHAW

Manager of Key Accounts & Energy Services
OFFICE: (352) 569-9787
CELL: (352) 303-3567
barbie.shaw@secoenergy.com

Hank Bolduc, SECO Energy Key Accounts Consultant

HANK BOLDUC

Key Accounts Consultant
OFFICE: (352) 569-9789
CELL: (352) 303-3546
hank.bolduc@secoenergy.com

Ryon Meyers, SECO Energy Key Accounts Consultant

RYON MEYERS

Key Accounts Consultant
OFFICE: (352) 569-9781
CELL: (352) 636-9593
ryon.meyers@secoenergy.com

J.D. Simmons, SECO Energy Key Accounts Consultant

J.D. SIMMONS

Key Accounts Consultant
OFFICE: (352) 569-9790
CELL: (352) 303-3183
jd.simmons@secoenergy.com

 

 

Cheeseburgers, Fries and Life Lessons from Dad

In late May, a line of strong thunderstorms passed through Lake County creating widespread outages for SECO Energy members in Clermont. The storm damage was substantial but service was restored within the hour. The next day, however, members in the same area experienced an additional service interruption due to multiple equipment failures caused by the previous day’s lightning damage.

 

Tony Marshowsky, a SECO Energy member in Clermont, was understandably frustrated by multiple outages on consecutive days. He contacted SECO via Facebook for information about the outages. SECO had posted photos, video and other details, and Tony was happy to learn that crews were repairing the damage. The repair was extensive, as the capacitors had arced and created a fire. The pole split and broke where the capacitor bank was attached and crashed to the ground.

 

Coincidentally, Marshowsky and his nine-year-old son Tony, Jr. drove by the crew repairing the pole in the rain on their way to Wendy’s for a milkshake. As a blue-collar worker himself, Marshowsky empathized with the crew, and stated, “These men were working in the rain. I imagine they were tired, hungry and working late so that my family and neighbors would have power and air conditioning. I decided I could teach my son a life lesson, reminding him to thank the people around us who are working for our benefit.”

 

SECO Energy, Cheeseburgers, Fries and Life Lessons from Dad

 

Armed with multiple bags of Wendy’s cheeseburgers and fries, Marshowsky and his son delivered dinner and a heartfelt thank you to the SECO crew working to replace the damaged pole. Marshowsky later added, “The little guys, the blue-collar workers, the men and women who aren’t always remembered or rewarded for their hard work – they are away from their own homes missing dinner with their own families. It felt good to help someone else and to show my son respect for handworking people.”

 

The SECO Energy Facebook post about Marshowsky and his son’s goodwill grew quickly, reaching almost 20,000 Facebook users in just days. It is also one of the cooperative’s most frequently shared posts this year. The Marshowsky family met up with the SECO crew for a group photo opp and official thank you.

 

Photo caption:  SECO Energy Line Tech David Olszanski, Service Tech David Kerns, Crew Supervisor Jason Merrill, Tony Marshowsky Jr., Line Tech Doug Stanley, Line Tech Garret Keller and Tony Marshowsky Sr.  (not pictured; Line Tech Clint Brighurst and Line Tech Justin Smothers)

 

Learn more about SECO Energy at SECOEnergy.com>Your Co-op. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page to view the video footage of the pole and capacitor damage. Follow @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases, outage information and cooperative updates.

STEM Focus at Ocala’s Third Annual Youth Energy Academy

On June 8 and 9, local energy experts are teaming up to introduce high school students to the many careers in the electric utility field. SECO Energy, Duke Energy and Ocala Electric Utilities partnered with CareerSource CLM, College of Central Florida and Lockheed Martin to bring the Third Annual Youth Energy Academy to life for sixty students in Marion County.

 

The Youth Energy Academy is an interactive workshop aimed to spark the students interest in traveling an academic path toward a career in the energy industry. During the two-day event, students explore high-skill, high-wage careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The high-schoolers learn how electricity is delivered to homes and businesses, participate in hands-on demonstrations and discover the soft skills needed for a successful career.

 

Several years ago, the Florida Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) incorporated a Youth Energy Academy model focused on, but not limited to, minority students in St. Petersburg, Orlando and Ocala. The AABE goal is to proactively gain the interest of an emerging workforce by educating young people about opportunities in the energy arena.

 

STEM Focus at Ocala’s 3rd Annual Youth Energy Academy

 

Kathy Judkins, SECO Energy’s Deputy Director of Civic, Charitable and Government Affairs stated, “SECO Energy, Duke Energy and Ocala Electric Utilities have formed a strong partnership in the quest to develop a future talent pipeline of local students who show an interest in the energy industry. At this year’s Academy, students are gaining essential knowledge related to the array of jobs, careers and occupational requirements in energy today.”

 

Jim Duncan, CEO stated, “The Youth Academy aligns with two key cooperative principles, Education, Training and Information and also Concern for Community. The energy field has a bundle of diverse careers just waiting for talented candidates to apply. Participating in youth education programs gives SECO a hand in crafting its future workforce and gives local, talented youngsters employment opportunities close to home and family.”

 

Learn more about SECO Energy and its Concern for Community online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.