We are honored to share that our hardworking team at Sumter Utilities has been recognized in Southern Living for their tireless efforts following Hurricane Helene. The article highlights the critical role our linemen played in restoring power to YMCA Camp Greenville, bringing hope to the community amidst the devastation.

After Hurricane Helene swept through the Blue Ridge Mountains, Sumter linemen, along with crews from Gagnon Line Construction, worked around the clock to restore power to the camp. Despite the challenges, their dedication and swift action restored not only electricity but also hope to the camp staff and families.

“When they restored the power, it restored a whole lot of hope to us here,” said Cory Harrison, Vice President of YMCA Camp Greenville, expressing the impact of the crew’s efforts.

The crew took a moment at Pretty Place Chapel after completing the restoration to reflect on the impact of their work. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of coming together in times of need, and we are proud to be part of such a dedicated team.

We thank Southern Living for shining a spotlight on the incredible work our linemen do every day, and we remain committed to going above and beyond for the communities we serve.

Click HERE to read the full Southern Living article.

Thank you to all who donated to help emPOWER awareness in the fight against Breast Cancer!
Because of your generosity, together we raised $2,900 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

At Sumter Utilities, we are family. That includes our wives, sisters, daughters, mothers, grandmothers and aunts. The fight against breast cancer is our collective fight. Our dollars and our awareness go a long way in showing our support for the cause.

Help us raise $10,000 this October and let’s emPOWER awareness for the fight to end breast cancer.

At Sumter Utilities, we are family. That includes our wives, sisters, daughters, mothers, grandmothers and aunts. The fight against breast cancer is our collective fight. Our dollars and our awareness go a long way in showing our support for the cause.

Ready to help?

Make a donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Sumter Utilities will match your donation* dollar for dollar! The funds we raise will help support countless research efforts, and groundbreaking advancements for women.

We’re so thankful for our crews, both in the field and at home. Thanks for showing your support and helping us meet our goal!

*up to $10,000

On Monday, July 8, just on the tail of a holiday weekend, Hurricane Beryl blew through Houston, Texas. It was forecasted to simply come ashore as a tropical storm, and projected to hit much farther west, but the storm instead swept through the fourth largest city as a category 1 hurricane. It caused damage Houston hasn’t seen since Hurricane Ike in 2008.

While the storm was still actively causing damage, Sumter Utilities crews were mobilizing to head west and assist with restoration efforts. More than 130 Sumter linemen answered the call, and spent a week or more restoring power for communities in need. The damage was extensive, and the repairs will continue for weeks to come, but as more and more Houstonians got their power back and finally got some relief from the heat, the kind words of thanks started pouring in via our website and Facebook pages.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to help communities in need, but it’s always encouraging and helpful to receive such positive feedback from the people we help. 

June 14, 2024

On Wednesday, May 29th, Sumter Utilities deployed 250 linemen to Dallas, Texas, and 50 to Kentucky to aid in storm restoration efforts.

Multiple storms severely impacted these regions, with extreme wind speeds and hail leaving thousands of residents without power. Sumter Utilities’ swift and decisive response was instrumental in restoring electricity to the affected areas.

Sumter Utilities is proud to support the Texas and Kentucky communities in their time of need and is committed to supporting customers and restoring power during storm season.

Each year, Sumter Utilities honors exemplary employees with the President’s Safety Professional of the Year award. Crews who complete all four quarters of the year with zero safety incidents become eligible and are then selected by leadership for going above and beyond in their attention to safety.

This year’s banquet was held on May 30 in Columbia, South Carolina, and included dinner, dancing, and an award presentation. Honorees were invited, along with their spouses and partners, to celebrate their achievements. In total, 48 employees were honored, although a number of them were not able to celebrate since they had been called away to work storms in Texas and Tennessee.

Our 2023 Safety Professionals of the Year are: 

Thomas J Crain, Foreman

Adam D Davis, A-Lineman

Dylan B Lewis, B-Lineman

Joshua T Jackson, C-Lineman

William O Parnell, Foreman

Christopher G Langston, Truck Driver

Wyatt L Parnell, Groundman

Justin L Hoglen, Foreman

Nathan L Ferguson, A-Lineman

Jeffrey H Parris, A-Lineman

Charles M Hardee, Foreman

Patrick R Sott, Crew Leader

Joseph G Gasque, A-Lineman

Bryant Geathers, A-Lineman

Tommy G Singleton, Foreman

Mason A Lyall, C-Lineman

On April 27, 2024, a team from Sumter Utilities participated in the annual 5K-Aden race in Columbia, SC. The race is an event held in support of the Jordan Thomas Foundation, a 501c3 that helps kids get the prostheses they need to lead healthy and active lives. The annual 5K-Aden race is actually named after the stepson of Sumter Utilities President, Derek O’Bradovich, who lost his leg in a boating accident several years ago.

Sumter was proud to sponsor the race again this year, and to show our support by gathering a team of employees and friends to run the 5K. The weather was beautiful, spirits were high, and thousands of dollars were raised in support of this incredible mission.

Kaden’s incredible positivity and engagement with the Jordan Thomas Foundation even got some attention in the news! Take a look at this great interview he did with his new friend Carson.

It’s never too late to show your support for the Jordan Thomas Foundation, and to help other kids who have experience an amputation. Learn more here.