After more than 34 years of service, Cindy’s story is deeply wired into UEC. Her career reflects not just dedication, but a quiet commitment to doing things the right way, day after day, member after member.
Long before she joined the cooperative, Cindy learned the value of hard work at a young age. She once drove combine and wheat trucks, gaining an appreciation for long days and responsibility. That strong work ethic carried her into roles at Inland Empire Bank, now Banner Bank, and later Simplot Transportation, where she worked in data entry. Each experience sharpened her attention to detail and reinforced the importance of reliability, qualities that would become hallmarks of her career.
Cindy came to UEC on May 1, 1992, at a time when annual meeting attendance was mandatory and nearly everything was paper based. She began her career in the IT department, helping modernize operations by archiving records and converting paper files into digital storage. It was behind the scenes work, but vital to improving efficiency and preserving member information.
As UEC evolved, so did Cindy’s role. She transitioned from IT into a member service representative position and later moved into the billing department, where she continues to serve today as a billing clerk. Her responsibilities consist of setting up new services, creating new accounts once meters are energized, and billing members. That moment, when power officially begins flowing, is when her work starts.
Much of Cindy’s work involves pulling meter reads to process billings and setting up bills for UEC members, occasionally coordinating with operations to ensure everything aligns correctly. Over the years, she has seen significant changes in how the billing process works. There was a time when meter readers physically went out into the field with handheld devices, and Cindy would unload that data back at the office to generate bills. Today, meter reads are largely automated, but every meter still must be reviewed carefully to ensure accuracy.
Billing itself has also transformed. When Cindy started, bills were printed at UEC, sorted by zip code, and processed one at a time through machines that folded, sealed, and stamped each piece before delivery to the post office. While the tools have changed, Cindy’s careful attention to detail has remained constant.
For Cindy, the most rewarding part of her job is knowing members receive accurate bills on time. She takes that responsibility seriously and feels it deeply when something goes wrong, because she knows members rely on that accuracy. Helping keep the lights on matters.
Challenges still arise when meter reads do not come through the system and must be manually tracked down. These situations are rare, but they require patience and teamwork to resolve. What motivates Cindy most is the people she works with. Over the years, she has built close relationships with her coworkers and considers them family. That shared commitment and sense of connection continue to inspire her.
After 34 years, Cindy remains a steady and trusted presence at UEC. Her work may happen quietly behind the scenes, but its impact is felt by every member the cooperative serves.