Ayers Retires from Blue Ridge Electric
For Immediate Release
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Public Relations, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383 ext. 3213; Pager: 1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
Lenoir, North Carolina (November 28, 2005) – Grant “Bud” Ayers recently retired after more than 39 years with Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation. “My job was to keep the lights on,” said Ayers of his position as senior vice president of distribution services. “I enjoyed working hard to make sure our members had the most reliable electric system possible.”
The use of technology is probably the most notable change Ayers witnessed throughout his years with Blue Ridge. “When I first started as a staff engineer in March of 1966, I had a calculator, a slide rule and a notepad,” he said. “Now we have laptops with special computer programs that can work much faster, more efficiently and with better accuracy.
“Providing reliable electricity became more challenging as technology evolved and consumers and their electricity demands changed,” said Ayers. The added complexity only challenged Ayers to work harder. “Luckily, as time goes on, we have more advanced tools and better systems to help ensure power reliability.”
Ayers’s department was instrumental in the installation and use of the SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) system – just one example of these better tools. Years ago, when there was a power outage, technicians would have to go to the source to determine the location and cause of an outage. Now, with the use of SCADA, locating the outage is easier. While a lineman must physically repair or restore the power, the time involved in power restoration is much shorter.
In recent years, Ayers main job was to look at an area, put together work plans, project out for the future demand on electricity and decide what needed to be done. “We had to look at now,” said Ayers, “then decide what had to be done to meet the goals and make the lights come on and stay on.”
“Bud has a knack for looking at an area, planning for growth, and letting us know exactly what needs to be done to ensure that we are prepared for the new development,” said Robert Kent, director of operations at Blue Ridge. “His insight will be missed.”
“Bud built the Blue Ridge electrical system with the future in mind, so our engineers have a good foundation to build on,” said Mike High, director of electric plant development. “Bud will be missed by all those who worked with him.”
Ayers also had the opportunity to use his skills to help developing countries in need of setting up electric systems. He traveled on behalf of Blue Ridge Electric to many places including Jamaica, Honduras and Bolivia through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s international program. “What you experience when you go to areas of those countries is hard to put into words,” said Ayers. “It gives you an appreciation of home and how fortunate we are here. It’s also rewarding to know that you’ve had a part in helping people acquire such a basic necessity as electricity.”
Ayers’ retirement plans include traveling, spending time at his place on the coast and visiting his four – almost five – grandchildren.
Blue Ridge Electric is a member-owned electric cooperative serving some 68,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes and Alexander counties.
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