Staff shuffles to ensure members continue to receive excellent customer service
By Diane Junion
With more than 20 years of service, we bid farewell to Billing Specialist Tamara Brown, who retired from Graham County Electric Co-op in January.
Since 1997, Tamara wore many hats, including secretarial duties, cashier, billing clerk and, most recently, sure pay, special billing, reports and reconciliation.
These are just a few jobs from a woman who produced long adding machine tapes and worked well with numbers.
Tamara was meticulous in everything she did. Everyone enjoyed listening to her playing Christmas music in September, and the office Christmas tree might not be the same, as it will be lacking the “Tamara touch.”
During retirement, Tamara plans to spend more time relaxing with family, and making crafts. Jeniffer Chesley transferred into Tamara’s office and found it to be quiet. She has been working in the lobby as a member services representative since 2005.
“I miss the interaction with people,” says Jeniffer. “This job requires a very detailed person, and I love making sure everything is detailed and organized. I miss talking to members when they come to make their payments.”
Previously, Jeniffer often answered the phone and helped out with new member utility service connections.
When Jeniffer isn’t at work, she enjoys gardening and using her talents in landscape design. Many homes in the valley have her special touch. She and her husband, Rob, have raised 2 children.
A face you will become more familiar with is April Johnson. She has been working part time during busy lobby hours. April will now work full time in member services, replacing Jeniffer and assisting in new services during peak times.
April worked for the city of Safford, Sierra Southwest Cooperative and Arizona G&T Cooperatives in Benson.
She and her husband, Ray, have 3 children.
The newest employee is Tracy Botkins. She started part time in member services in December 2017. Tracy enjoys helping members with their payments and finding solutions to their issues.
In her free time, Tracy and her husband, Ryan, attend their 2 children’s school activities and community events.
We thank Tamara for the many years of dedicated service and wish her well in her retirement. We also welcome these wonderful ladies in their new positions, as GCEC continues to grow and move forward in providing good service to members.