The Legacy of the Ellis Family at Umatilla Electric Cooperative
In eastern Oregon, like any rural area, community bonds are essential to a successful business. For a cooperative organization, this fact is especially true. The relationships we form and the people we serve have a lasting impact on our story. Based in Hermiston, OR, the history of Umatilla Electric Cooperative intertwines with that of the Ellis family, leaving an enduring mark on our communities and the public power industry at large.
Monte Ellis, a dedicated Distribution Designer, is nearing his 30th anniversary with the cooperative. His son, Matt Ellis, now works alongside his dad as a Journeyman Serviceman for the co-op. These 2 represent the second and third generations to work for the cooperative, with more than 40 years of combined experience.
The Beginning
Monte’s mom, Lennas Bezona, first worked for the cooperative in the 1970s. In a male-dominated industry, Lennas planted roots in local public power that she could not have foreseen at the time.
Although her time working for the cooperative was short, she left a lifetime of impact, as the generations that followed her would leave a lasting mark in their community and in the lives of the members of Umatilla Electric through her son and grandson. Unfortunately, Lennas passed away at the age of only 52, when Matt was just 3 years old.
The Legacy Begins
Monte started his career in 1995, when Umatilla Electric served mainly residential and irrigation loads, with industrial growth on the rise. Since his time at the co-op, Monte has been at the forefront of some of the swiftest growth for any electric cooperative across the nation.
In his role as the most experienced on the distribution design team, he has seen significant changes adopted as technology has morphed and streamlined the industry. In the early days of his role, large, cumbersome, paper maps - which had to be constantly updated by hand - were the industry standard and used by every department and every utility at the time.
Through his tenure, he’s adapted through changes to digital platforms, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping, SCADA, and fully online systems. Line crews at UEC are now using maps he’s helped create as they navigate through the service area – something he could have never imagined as a new employee.
“The industry has changed so much,” says Monte. “I’ve enjoyed learning and truly enjoy the folks I get to work with.”
Monte’s reputation as a skilled designer – and a stellar colleague – is well known. Monte’s coined term for all coworkers is “bud”. His colleagues and community members often speak of his unwavering work ethic and his ability to connect with anyone. Monte’s dedication goes beyond the technical aspects of his job; he truly cares about the well-being of his community and the members he serves.
Following in His Father’s Footsteps
Matt Ellis never planned to be a third-generation employee at UEC. In fact, he attended 2 years of college with the intent to become a physical therapist. He soon realized, however, that physical therapy was not his calling and instead decided to pursue the electric linework industry.
“After 2 years of college, I decided the physical therapy and medical field wasn’t for me,” says Matt. “I decided to attend line school after talking with some buddies that were in the trade and worked at UEC. They told me what a great career it was.”
Matt started his journey at his hometown cooperative, UEC, in 2016 as a Journeyman Lineman after completing his apprenticeship and traveling as a lineman for nearly 6 years. Matt has found success in his career at UEC, being promoted to Journeyman Serviceman in 2023.
“My time at Umatilla Electric has been incredible,” says Matt. “It’s special to work with my dad, but it has also allowed me opportunities like traveling to Guatemala with Oregon Empowers last year and ways I can support my community, like coaching my kids’ sports teams. The people I work with truly make this place feel like family and I’m thankful my path has led me here.”
Public Power & Cooperative Spirit
For the Ellis family, the cooperative has become more of an extended family than just an employer. By serving the communities they grew up in, the connections to the work extend to personal connections nearly every day.
“Our family has been in this area for decades,” says Monte. “Although it’s grown vastly in the last few years, our connections to the community are everywhere, and I enjoy seeing people I know around the community and working on projects involving their businesses or homes. It’s personal, not just a service.” The personal touch is evident in the reputation of the Ellis family.
“Both father and son exude passion for their work and friendliness,” says Vice President of Administration, Lisa McMeen. “We are extremely fortunate to have Monte and Matt on our team. They are dedicated employees with a decades-long connection to this organization.”
The story of the Ellis family is a powerful reminder of the impact cooperatives like UEC have on their communities. The cooperative business model, with its focus on member-owners and community service, creates an environment where members enjoy working with staff like Monte, whom they recognize after decades of service and positive interactions.
The Future
As Monte’s career approaches retirement and Matt’s continues to find success, there is hope for a 4th generation of Ellis at UEC. Matt’s son, Miles Ellis, is just 4 years old, but already he has set his sights on becoming a lineman, just like his dad. Miles is equipped with a lineman’s belt, stocked toolbox, and hard hat - ready to jump into the industry as soon as he can.
“He dresses up like his dad all the time,” laughs Erica Ellis, Matt’s wife. “He gets excited about going to see Dad at work and knows all about line trucks already.”
The Public Power Impact
Stories of dedicated employees and community connections travel far outside of UEC’s service territory. Public power utilities and their employees are passionate about serving their communities and improving the places they call home.
Although our jobs are to provide an essential service, many in the industry treat it personally, as the Ellis family has, and make our communities and the utilities we work for better places to call home.
From any role at any utility, whether cooperative, municipal, public utility district, and even investor-owned, employees in every department across every organization, are dedicated to improving the lives of the people and communities they serve, while also improving our industry. Like Lennas’ unknowing influence on her young family, you never know who is behind you, being inspired by your dedication and commitment to your profession.
Generations of Cooperative Service
The journey of the Ellis family over the last 6 decades serves as a reminder of the power of public power. As Miles continues to dream of becoming a lineman and explores the possibilities in the energy industry, the future looks bright for the Ellis family and for Umatilla Electric Cooperative.
The legacy of service, dedication, and community spirit that defines the Ellis family will undoubtedly inspire future generations to continue building a better, brighter future for all. We hope it will inspire you, too, to take inventory of your surroundings and invest in those around you. You never know who you may inspire.