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Mar 1, 2021

Celebrating Kathy Mackey’s Retirement

Celebrating Kathy Mackey’s Retirement

Family and co-workers gathered on January 29, 2021, in a small ceremony to celebrate Petit Jean Electric Cooperative Employee Kathy Mackey’s 42 years of service to the cooperative and congratulate her on her retirement.

Kathy began her career with Petit Jean Electric September 9, 1978, as a cashier. She later became the billing clerk at a time when all of the entries were entered manually with meter data from the members themselves. She was also responsible for reconciling the data with payments that were made and with what the meter reader brought in once a year. As you can imagine, this was a long and tedious job, as all of this was done before computers. Once the data was entered, Kathy was responsible for getting it sent (via phone line) to the billing vendor in Missouri who would then print up all the data. In 2013, Kathy accepted the position of Operations Assistant, and that is where she remained until retirement.

Kathy said much has changed in the industry during her career, including upgrades to equipment and technology to allow Petit Jean Electric to better serve its members. Kathy said that “technology advances have stood out the most during my career. Before we did everything by hand, but now it is all on the computer, which makes the job more efficient and maybe a little easier.”

After 42 years of serving Petit Jean Electric’s membership, Kathy plans to change up her daily routine and start a new life chapter. Her retirement plans include spending lots of time fishing and crocheting, and possibly some travel if Covid allows.

According to Michael Kirkland, CEO/general manager of Petit Jean Electric, employees like Kathy have weathered many storms and given a lifetime of commitment to our members that will last long after they retire.

“On behalf of the board of directors, employees and members of Petit Jean Electric Cooperative, I thank Kathy for her selfless service and dedication to the cooperative,” said Kirkland. “While we will miss her knowledge, wit and loyalty, we wish her to have a most blessed retirement and all the best in her next adventures.”

Photo: Kathy Mackey with Petit Jean Electric CEO/GM Michael Kirkland

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