Connect

October‘25

Thomas Golden, EnergyUnited CEO, speaking at a Bright Ideas luncheon.

LaQuisha Parks, Vice President of Energy Services and Corporate Communications, speaking at a Member Advisory Committee meeting.

October is National Cooperative Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the cooperative difference. As a member-owned electric cooperative, EnergyUnited is guided by the principle of being member-focused. Every decision we make is rooted in our mission to provide safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy while strengthening the communities we serve.

National Cooperative Month provides an opportunity to highlight the power of our business model and what sets us apart. At EnergyUnited, that cooperative spirit is reflected in the way we work alongside our members, employees and community partners to build a brighter future. From investing in innovative technologies to enhancing reliability and supporting local initiatives, we remain committed to delivering more than electricity—we’re delivering value.

As we celebrate National Cooperative Month, we thank you for being at the heart of everything we do. Your participation and support make EnergyUnited more than just a service provider. Together, we’re a cooperative that empowers people, powers progress and puts community first.

Edshel Torres joined the EnergyUnited Team as the IT Manager for the Infrastructure Team on June 16. Read on to learn more about him.

Tell us about your educational background and what inspired you to pursue a career in Information Technology.

I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. After high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do until I interned with an IT helpdesk at a hospital. That experience sparked my interest in IT because I saw firsthand how technology supports people. Later, I worked in logistics and had a mentor who helped me grow from an entry-level position. I went on to earn my master’s degree in computer engineering while working full-time, which were tough but rewarding years. Six years ago, I moved to North Carolina, and when the opportunity at EnergyUnited opened, it felt like the right next step.

How did you get into this role at EnergyUnited?

I was looking for a role that was more people-oriented and aligned with the right culture and mindset. When I make a career change, I want it to be meaningful and long-lasting—for both myself and the organization. EnergyUnited felt like the right fit, and I’m excited to grow here.

What advice would you give to individuals pursuing a career in IT?

1. Build a strategic mindset early. Understand how systems connect and how they support the business.
2. Keep learning. IT evolves every day—stay open to change and new developments.
3. Communicate well. Soft skills are just as important as technical skills.
4. Understand risk. Learn how to assess it, stay accountable and adapt proactively.
5. Use your resources. Take advantage of free courses and hands-on opportunities.
6. Be proactive. Anticipate future needs instead of just reacting to problems.

If you could describe EnergyUnited as a superpower, what would it be?

Commitment. EnergyUnited is deeply committed to both employees and members. I’ve seen that commitment firsthand in meetings, and it’s clear that member satisfaction is always the top priority.

Is there anything personal you’d like to share about yourself?

I love hiking and being outdoors—after a day of screen time, nature is the best reset. Being from Puerto Rico, staying close to the beach is also important to me. Most of all, I enjoy spending time with my family. I have two daughters, ages 12 and 3 – and balancing both my time and energy with them is very important to me.

From grandma’s pecan pie to dad’s amazing grilled goodies, we want to read about it! Submit your favorite recipes for a holiday cookbook to be assembled in the December issue of Connect!

Zombies, monsters and witches aren’t the only bad actors this season. This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we are reminding our members to stay vigilant against any potential threats. Remember: change your passwords often, opt in to two-factor authentication and never click on links from unknown sources.

EnergyUnited uses drone technology to inspect hard-to-reach areas.

When members flip a light switch, they expect the power to come on—no questions asked. Behind that simple moment is a complex energy system spanning more than 12,000 miles of energized power lines in 19 counties, all maintained by EnergyUnited.

Protecting that system starts from the ground up—literally. EnergyUnited’s vegetation management team plays a critical role in preventing outages by clearing rights-of-way and keeping trees and overgrown vegetation away from power lines. Their work is essential to maintaining service reliability and controlling operational costs.

To manage this complex system efficiently, the team uses drone technology to inspect hard-to-reach areas. These high-resolution aerial scans help identify potential hazards safely and quickly, allowing crews to target critical areas with precision.

This innovative use of technology is just one example of how EnergyUnited is embracing new tools to improve efficiency, enhance reliability and keep costs down—because our members deserve service they can count on with every flip of the switch.

EnergyUnited is one of the least cost providers of electricity in North Carolina. An average 24 hours of electricity costs $4.91 — a great value.

It’s easy to take for granted just how much electricity powers our lives each day as we charge our phones and adjust our thermostat. Yet when compared to other everyday expenses, electricity remains one of the best values.

Electricity is essential and remarkably affordable given the comfort, convenience and connection it provides. At EnergyUnited, we remain committed to keeping it that way by investing in reliable service, innovative technology and efficient solutions.

Left to right: Thomas Golden, Chief Executive Officer, EnergyUnited; Brett Berry, Lineman, EnergyUnited; Senator Mujtaba A. Mohammed; Brian Sisson, President, EnergyUnited Board of Directors; Adam Martin, Corporate Communications Consultant, EnergyUnited.

ENERGYUNITED CHAMPIONS LINEMEN SAFETY

Thanks to strong advocacy efforts from EnergyUnited and North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, North Carolina recently passed a law that provides greater safety for utility lineworkers from harassment while working in the field.

Senate Bill (SB) 311 was signed by Gov. Josh Stein in July after passing the NC House and Senate with bipartisan support. The bill increases the penalty for assaulting a utility or communications worker from a Class 2 to a Class 1 misdemeanor. The utility worker must be readily identifiable by wearing the logo of their utility company on their person for the increased penalty to apply.

EnergyUnited spoke with lawmakers in Raleigh earlier this year about increasing safety for utility workers. Brett Berry, a lineman for EnergyUnited, shared his perspective about why these protections are needed during the cooperative’s legislative meetings.

“Sometimes our linemen have to work late at night or in bad weather,” Berry said. “You never know what you are going to run into in these situations—not just with the weather or the job, but people who don’t want you on their property. Our job is to serve, and we know people need electricity. This bill makes it clear: keeping our crews safe is a top priority in North Carolina.”

EnergyUnited is proud to advocate for smart policies that support our efforts to deliver safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy. Our support and advocacy for SB 311 reflects The EnergyUnited Way, with safety as our top core value.