As Kosciusko REMCs Meter Technician, Wayne Adams, celebrates his remarkable 28 years of service to our organization and community, he reflects on the journey and experiences that shaped his career.

CAREER JOURNEY

When Adams first started, he was a meter reader. Over the years, he advanced to the position of meter technician. An average workday for Adams starts with checking meters that need testing. Kosciusko REMC has over 19,000 members, which equates to meters in the field, and Adams tries to keep a certain percentage of those tested at all times. His day can also include going out in the field to collect and test meters and sometimes collect payment.

Adams career saw many advancements and changes. At the beginning, he had to go out day after day and manually read meters for our members. Technology advanced, eliminating the need for manual readings, but our membership numbers grew, meaning there were more meters to install and test. Kosciusko REMC grew, adding Kosciusko Connect and offering fiber internet, which Adams happily jumped in and helped with as well.

Ive seen quite a few changes, and all the changes tended to be for the better. Adams expressed.

The most valuable skill he learned through his job was how to safely deal with getting inside a meter base and performing safety checks to make sure everything was working properly.

It has helped me to perform my job not only in an efficient way but in a safe manner, he explained, reflecting Koscissssusko REMCs high emphasis on safety.

Adams tests a meter at a KREMC member’s home.

ADVICE TO HIS YOUNGER SELF

As Adams reminisces on his first day at Kosciusko REMC, he has some advice for his younger self.

If I could give my younger self a piece of advice on the first day, I think I would just tell myself to relax a little bit more and take everything that comes along in stride. Through the years, I have learned to do that, but if I had done that to start with, I think my life would have gone a little better.

Adams speaks at his retirement party at KREMC, reminiscing about his many years of service.

Adams describes being very nervous on his first day working at Kosciusko REMC because he was joining a field he had never been involved in before. There was a lot to learn, but Adams immediately found himself in a very educational, supportive environment.

Everybody wanted me to do well. I think everyone together helped me to feel comfortable, he remembered.

FUNNY MOMENTS

Adams reflected on the many comical moments and unexpected situations he encountered during his career. Frequently, he went to members homes to read meters or collect payment, and he often ran into vicious dogs, unexpected environments, and a whole host of interesting characters.

I was at a location to collect payment, and the gentleman was a senior citizen. He came to the door just in his underwear, and when he opened the door, it took me a second to compose myself and tell him why I was there. Adams said of one of the more comical moments.

Another time, Adams had to walk through an exceptionally muddy yard to read a meter. A makeshift walkway of wooden planks was laid out through the yard that he could follow. Unfortunately, he had a few steps left to get to the meter that were not covered by the planks. Adams took the risk, stepped off, and immediately sank into the mud. He got stuck up to his waist and kept sinking deeper with every attempt to free himself. Thankfully, he had a coworker with him to help pull him out of that messy situation.

SPIRIT OF TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION

According to Adams, the biggest example of teamwork at Kosciusko REMC is the Annual Meeting.

I think our Annual Meeting is a very good example of teamwork, because it takes everyone coming together, and its quite a monumental task that we take on. Everyone comes together and has a part to play.

The cooperative spirit of serving our members and giving back to the community made a lasting impression on Adams and provided purpose and meaning to his work.

It makes me very proud to be part of an organization that doesnt just come in every day, do what you have to do, and then go home, but try to find a way to help somebody who seems to have a need, and we try to take care of that need. Ive seen that many, many times, and it makes me very, very proud.

LIFE OUTSIDE WORK

Adams loves baking, and many of his coworkers have benefited from this hobby, as he would bring in desserts to share. He attended Harvest Community Church in Pierceton and was involved in the programs there. After his retirement, Adams is headed on a long-awaited Alaskan Cruise with his family to kick off this new season of life.

The impact of Adams legacy of teamwork, collaboration, and investment in our community members is remarkable and inspiring. The KREMC family wishes him all the best in his well-earned retirement!