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CPU Salutes Veterans Today and Every Day

Utility thanks employees who served along with all military veterans

This Veterans Day, Clarksdale Public Utilities salutes military veterans and their families.

There are some 18 million living veterans in the United States today, representing about 6% of the country’s adult population. Of those, nearly 146,000 reside in Mississippi. Each Nov. 11, Americans come together to honor these brave men and women who have served the country.

“Military service instills the skills and mindset needed to handle challenging situations,” said Curtis D. Boschert, general manager. “Not only is this critical as they protect our freedom, it also is beneficial as they transition to civilian careers. We are honored that many choose to work in the utility industry, including right here at Clarksdale Public Utilities.”

Veterans are hired at a higher rate in the energy sector because their knowledge and skills are directly transferrable to energy jobs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, veterans make up approximately 9% of the country’s energy workforce, greater than their representation of 5% in the overall U.S. workforce. These jobs span the generation, transmission, distribution and storage portions of the electric sector.

Boschert, who notes that he uses the skills he acquired as an Army field artillery officer in his job every day, said there are six veterans among CPU’s ranks, representing two branches.

Michael Stevenson, electric production shift supervisor, said by serving in the Navy, he learned how to thrive in a fast-paced environment, which, in turn, helps him on the job now.

“My sense of resiliency, adaptability and the ability to juggle multiple tasks in a variety of situations help me tackle unexpected challenges head-on, whether improving the grid on blue-sky days or restoring power following a storm,” he said.

And Willie Davis, wastewater treatment operator III shared that one of the key benefits of military service is working with colleagues from all backgrounds to get the job done.

“I came away from my time in the Army with a strong respect for those around me,” he said. “We were united as a team and, as such, were successful in the missions we carried out. Teamwork also translates to the utility industry as we work hand-in-hand to support the communities we serve.”

“The pride, dedication and commitment veterans bring to the table add tremendous value.” said Boschert. “We encourage everyone to let them know just how much they are appreciated.”

Originally called Armistice Day, the celebration commemorated the end of World War I. In the mid-1950s, the name was changed to recognize veterans of all wars. Customers, neighbors and friends are encouraged to share positive messages using the #VeteransDay hashtag on their favorite social media channels or on CPU’s X/Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Clarksdale Public Utilities is a municipally owned utility serving approximately 6,800 homes and businesses in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Its mission is to safely provide sustainable electric, water and wastewater services in a reliable and courteous manner by well-trained team members, committed to top quality, efficient operations, competitive rates and the vitality of the community.