Senior Meterman Preston Glover is retiring this month after more than 29 years of service to Conway Corp and the Conway community.
Preston joined the company as a groundman in 1994 in the electric department. He worked his way up the ranks, eventually being promoted to the company’s first electric meter tester in 1999.
As a senior meterman, Preston supervised and performed the maintenance and testing of all electric meters and metering equipment. He also supervised, programmed and read all electric meters for the company’s large industrial customers.
“I don’t know if they had an official meter tester before me, but I know that I was the first to get that title,” he said.
Over his almost 30 years with the company, Preston saw many changes. He said the most satisfying part about his career included being able to get power back on when residents needed it the most.
“Being able to help other people that need it,” he said. “Sometimes people would be without power, without heat for a while and when you think about it, some were home in those elements with their kids. Think about the elderly. They needed their power on, and we worked hard to be able to restore that. That was good.”
During his tenure, Preston saw the company grow from just three members on his team to more than 40 employees within the department.
“He has always been one to teach,” Journeyman Meterman Kaleb Barkley said. “In fact, several of us refer to him as PTU – or ‘Preston Tech University’. I know we will continue to find his teaching lessons sketched on scattered transformers for years to come.”
“Although we joke around about it, he truly has helped me learn a lot about this part of power delivery. He always took the time to stop and make sure I understood why we did things the way we do.”
Preston said the co-workers he worked alongside day in and day out, were one of the reasons he stayed at Conway Corp so long.
“Working with such a great group of guys makes it hard for me to leave,” he said. “Everyone has shown me kindness. We’re like family and I will miss everyone.”
Though he admitted to missing this group, Preston said he is looking forward to spending more time with Tammy, his wife of 40 years who also retired this month, as well as his 6-year-old granddaughter.
“I told her to pick a date to retire and when she was ready to let me know, and I would put my notice in too. I’m not sure exactly what we’ll do but I’m looking forward to the freedom of being retired.”
After reflecting on his time, he leaves us with these final words of advice: “Participate. Whatever job you’re doing, get involved in the job you’re doing. Be good to Conway Corp and let Conway Corp be good to you.”
Congrats, Preston!
