We’ve come a long way since we began operating Conway’s electric light plant in 1929, and we owe much of our success to our employees – the men and women who proudly serve this community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
This month, Conway Corp would like to recognize Dispatcher/System Operator Keith LaPlante who is celebrating 35 years of service to the company and the community.
Keith was hired in January 1987 as a Dispatcher and was promoted to his current role in 2020. Keith works weekends, overnight hours and holidays to notify appropriate employees of emergency and after-hours outage situations while also providing technical support to customers with video, internet and telephone services.
We’ve come a long way since we began operating Conway’s electric light plant in 1929, and we owe much of our success to our employees – the men and women who proudly serve this community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
This month, Conway Corp would like to recognize Senior Lineman Terry Stewart who is celebrating 25 years of service to the company and the community.
Terry was hired in January 1997 as a groundman in the electric department. In October 2005, he started a two-year apprentice lineman program and was promoted to journeyman lineman in October 2007. In 2019, he was promoted to his current position.
Terry works daily to provide safe and reliable electricity to keep the lights on for the residents of Conway during normal and emergency conditions.
Conway Corp has announced the promotion of Jim Clark to Human Resources Director.
In his new role, Jim will organize, plan, develop and direct the implementation and administration of human resources functions and carry our policies and procedures related to all phases of human resources activities at Conway Corp.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jim since 2019.” Chief Executive Officer Bret Carroll said. “Jim brings a wealth of experience and will do well in his role as HR director. The Human Resources Department has never been more important and I look forward to working with Jim and his team in the coming years as we work to continue to make Conway Corp a great place to work.”
Jim began his career with the company as a Human Resources Specialist in July 2019. In July, 2021 he was named Assistant Director Human Resources. He replaces retiring director Lisa Douglas.
Conway Corp is dedicated to exceeding customers’ expectations through the exceptional work of its employees and recognizes employees annually for their individual dedication to the mission of the company.
This year, Customer Care Team Leader Nicole Pizzolato was honored with the Customer Service Award. Nicole was nominated by her fellow co-workers for going above and beyond in 2021.
One nomination for her said, “Nicole goes above and beyond to always make sure her customers and her teammates feel valued. She has been instrumental in helping our customer service staff reach our best potential, and her positive attitude is contagious throughout the company. While short-staffed during the pandemic, Nicole routinely volunteered to change her schedule and help train new employees to ensure our customers received the level of customer service they have come to expect.”
Nicole was hired in 2012 as a dispatcher/customer care specialist. In 2019 she was promoted to customer care team leader.
Conway Corp is dedicated to doing things the right way, and we refuse to compromise the safety of ourselves, our co-workers or our customers.
To honor that commitment, we recognize an employee each year for his or her safety efforts. This year Safety Coordinator Brent Fason earned the company’s annual Safety Leadership Award. Fason was nominated by his fellow co-workers for going above and beyond his job duties in 2021.
One nomination for him said he continually keeps safety in mind for himself and others in the company.
“Brent worked tirelessly to develop a culture of safety over the last year including implementing new and updated safety measures because of the pandemic. All the while, he was fighting his own battle with cancer. Brent has been instrumental in the development if numerous safety forms, policies and helped create the company’s safety committee.”
Brent was hired in June 2003 as a utility worker apprentice in the water department. He was promoted to utility worker in 2008 and to safety coordinator for the company in 2019.
Conway Corp honored Water Systems Foreman Chad Hogan with the company’s Tower of Excellence Award.
The award recognizes an employee who has made a significant impact on Conway Corp through outstanding dedication and exceptional job performance. Chad was nominated by his fellow co-workers for going above and beyond in 2021.
One nomination for him said, “Chad is always the first one to be there for his co-workers and the company. He gives it 100 percent every day all day.”
Another nomination said, “Chad is always on top of his game. Chad treats fellow workers with respect and keeps his crew members updated and involved. He makes us better employees and a better utility company.”
Chad was hired in May 2000 as a utility worker apprentice in the water department. In 2003 he was promoted to utility worker and again in 2019 to water systems foreman.
Human Resources Director Lisa Douglas is retiring this month after dedicating 30 years of service to Conway Corp and the Conway community.
Lisa was hired in February 1991 an administrative assistant. She was promoted to Human Resources Director in January 1999.
“It has been my distinct privilege working with Lisa the past 23 years.” Chief Executive Officer Bret Carroll said. “The employees of Conway Corp have truly benefitted from her expertise, advocacy and leadership all of these years and I will miss her greatly. Lisa works hard and I know she is looking forward to making some great memories with her family in retirement. I wish her and Travis all the best.”
Conway Corp’s marketing division was recently honored with four MIDI Awards at the 2021 Mid-America Cable Show held virtually.
Conway Corp’s video production and local programming department was recognized with three awards. Senior Production Coordinator Wayne Bailey and host Ashley Mann were honored for their program “Breathe Yoga” in the Community Program: Series category.
Bailey, Production Coordinator Ashtyn Brown and Senior Programming Coordinator Ryan Tucker were selected as winners in the Community Programming: Single Program category for the Conway High School Virtual Graduation produced for students and families choosing not to attend an in-person graduation.
The department was also selected the winner in the Cable Advertising: Self Promotion category for its entry in the American Public Power Associations’ Virtual Lineman Rodeo. This video was also honored with the 2021 Best of Show MIDI Award.
Conway Corp’s marketing and communications department, led by Manager Beth McCullough Jimmerson, was also recognized with a MIDI for its campaign to launch and promote ConwayCorpTV. In 2021, Conway Corp brought movies, shows, live sports, local programming and more directly to the streaming devices of its customers with the launch of ConwayCorpTV.
The Mid-America Cable Association is an industry association formed in 1958 to help telecommunication providers promote technical excellence, superior customer service, exemplary marketing and student scholarship. It includes cable telecommunications system operators in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Iowa, Arkansas and Texas, and Conway Corp was competing with systems of 10,001-50,000 cable subscribers.
Pictured, from left: Beth McCullough Jimmerson, Ryan Tucker, Wayne Bailey and Ashtyn Brown
Conway Corp Customer Service Professionals Recognized
Conway Corp was recognized for excellence in customer service when 11 of its customer service professionals were awarded Customer Service Excellence (CSE) awards at the 2021 Mid-America Cable Show.
Business Solutions Sales Engineer Eleise Wood Myers was presented with the Five Star Cable Champion Award which recognizes outstanding achievement in leadership in a cable system.
Lead Customer Service Specialist Eric Bell and Customer Care Team Leader Nicole Pizzolato were recognized with Five Star CSE Awards in the area of sales. Senior Customer Care Specialist Kelly Johnston-Jeffus and Customer Care Specialists Marilyn Boswell, Briana Sanders and Renisenb McGehee were honored with Four Star CSE Sales Awards.
In the area of Service, Customer Care Specialists Neil Holman and Marcelo Maldonado were awarded Five Star awards and Four Star Awards were presented to Customer Care Specialists Jazmine Lowery and Michelle Hatfield.
The Customer Service Excellence Award program was established by cable television professionals in 1986 to recognize and award customer care professional excellence in the cable television industry.
The Mid-America Cable Association is an industry association formed in 1958 to help telecommunication providers promote technical excellence, superior customer service, exemplary marketing and student scholarship. It includes cable telecommunications system operators in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Iowa, Arkansas and Texas.
