Meet UniSource
Meet some of our employees who play a role each day in bringing our corporate values to life while delivering a critical service to our community.
Nohemi Gradillas, Senior Customer Service Planner
What do you do in your position?
I am a Senior Customer Service Planner for the Santa Cruz County district based in the Nogales office. I design electric distribution systems for new business, public improvement, system reinforcement, maintenance, and privately owned systems. I conduct site visits and work with contractors to make sure that the power supply is designed appropriately. I take care of some of our bigger projects, including residential subdivisions.
How many years have you been with UniSource?
I have been with UniSource for 25 years.
I started as a general Customer Service Representative (CSR) then transitioned to becoming an electric construction CSR, where I had the opportunity to do a lot more within the company. During that time, I was able to work with Blue Stake (Arizona 811), scheduling work, collecting timesheets, and taking payments. I got to help wherever I could. I then switched into the Planner role, where I’ve been for 18 years.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
For many customers, I am involved in designing the electricity and power supply for their first home, and it’s very satisfying to be part of that process.
I enjoy working with the community so being able to help customers with their electrical needs is very fulfilling. I love meeting the customers, answering questions, and helping people. There’s always something different happening.
What advice would you give someone who is starting their career in energy?
I would let them know that this company has multiple opportunities for advancement. It’s important to keep learning, to be a team player, and don’t be afraid to try something different.
What got you interested in your position?
This position gave me the opportunity to challenge myself and work with my community. Working out in the field, meeting new people, learning new tasks and doing something different every day means there is never a dull moment.
Who inspires you?
My daughters and husband, they inspire me to do better, to never stop learning and especially to never give up.
Enrique Rodriguez, Working Foreman
What do you do in your position?
I’m a working foreman in Nogales. I supervise my crew to make sure that everyone is doing their job safely. Our crews receive work orders that can be basically anything: We haul our material; we dig holes, install poles and run electric lines. We work on power line extensions and underground services as well.
How many years have you been in with the company?
I started in December 2000 as a Groundman. Then I decided to be a Lineman, so I did the apprenticeship for four years. I was a Lineman for about six or seven years before becoming a Foreman.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love working out in the field and helping the community. I also enjoy teaching our apprentices how to do their job correctly. I like the challenge of receiving a work order, then figuring out how to do the work safely with my crew.
What advice would you give someone who is starting their career in energy?
Working in energy is a good career. It takes dedication, persistence, and a good attitude to be successful. It’s a demanding job but it comes with great benefits. There are many career growth opportunities in the company.
Who inspires you?
My parents taught me hard work, dedication, and respect. My family is also what keeps me going. My wife and three daughters keep me in line.
Nicole Simonich, Engineering Technician
What do you do in your position?
As an Engineering Technician, I work on new construction applications and surface upgrades for Kingman. For new builds, I meet with the customer’s electrician out in the field to discuss where we can get the power from and design the layout of the power supply. I am part of the inspection and permitting process and work with 811 to make sure we are practicing safe digging. After everything is approved, the project is sent to construction.
How long have you been working at UniSource?
I have been with UniSource for six years. I started in the construction department as an administrative assistant.
What do you enjoy about your work?
The field I work in is so interesting that I’m constantly inspired to learn more. I get to interact with many different types of people - from electricians to customers - and I get to work with the line construction team to see my projects being built. It’s great to see projects come together from start to finish.
What advice would you give someone who is starting a career in energy?
I would tell them to keep an open mind and ask questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question. I would also say to double check everything and do a lot of research, and it’s okay to learn from your mistakes.
How did you get interested in your current position?
During my time as an administrative assistant, I would receive job reports from the Engineering department, and I enjoyed reviewing the progress during the project. I also got to do a ride along with a Troubleman (the equivalent of our first responders who are first to arrive on the scene of emergencies and outages) and to see what he did at his job. That ride-along really got me interested in the field.
Who inspires you?
My children and my husband constantly inspire me. They inspire me to do well and do more. My faith is also inspiring to me.
Matt Jeffs, Service Technician
What do you do in your position?
I’m based in Show Low and I install meters and turn them on and off. I also respond to emergency gas leaks and I handle Blue Stake utility line marking to ensure there aren’t any utility lines present before a customer digs. I also do the annual equipment calibration and participate in all annual compliance, which is required by the Arizona Corporation Commission.
How many years have you been with UniSource?
I started in October 1989. I joined the company because I was looking for a steady job, but I wound up with a career. I’ve had a number of roles within the company over the years.
What do you enjoy most about your work? What do you love about your job?
I like helping people. Recently I was able to help an elderly woman who had a leak. I guided her through the process so it wasn’t so overwhelming for her. I also enjoy being out in the field and being outside because it’s something new every day. I also like that the job is steady and enables me to provide for my family.
What hard and soft skills are required for your position? What did your career path look like to get here?
There are a lot of skills that I’ve picked up on the job. I’ve been a meter reader, I worked in the warehouse, I was a construction crewman. Then they asked me if I wanted to be a Service Technician and I’ve been in that role since.
As far as hard skills, pipefitting, meter set assembly, calibrations – those are all skills you have to learn. For soft skills, you have to be willing to learn from others and be mentored.
What got you interested in your position? Why do you enjoy being in this job?
It’s so interesting. There are so many things to learn and do. I love the freedom to be out and about. Situations change from day to day and I love interacting with people.
Levi Jeffs, Utility Technician
What do you do in your position?
I have three main responsibilities: I handle the fixed network infrastructure, I manage the warehouse and I manage hard copy records retention. I also assist with the paperwork regarding annual compliance, which is required by the Arizona Corporation Commission.
How many years have you been with UniSource?
I started in April 2022.
What do you enjoy most about your work? What do you love about your job?
I love the work and I love the peace of mind it gives me. I’m able to provide a comfortable life for my family while providing a needed service to the community.
What hard and soft skills are required for your position? What did your career path look like to get here?
For hard skills, having an associate degree in business helps, and knowing how to use MS Office, especially spreadsheets. Spreadsheets are something I work with daily. As far as soft skills go, you have to be tenacious and motivated to learn. I’m humble enough to know I don’t know everything!
What got you interested in your position? Why do you enjoy being in this job?
I had seen my dad, who works in the same office, raise a family with his career. That really interested me. I thought Unisource would be a great company and I knew I could provide for family and provide service to the town I live in. That really appealed to me.
I love driving out to remote places to maintain our meter reading equipment and I really enjoyed getting forklift certified. I know this is more than job. It’s a career path.
Dakota Encinas, Energy Programs Technical Specialist
What do you do in your position?
I review all the technical service applications for commercial or residential solar installs in the Mohave and Santa Cruz service territory. All applications go through me and my coworker for approval prior to the installation of a system. I also oversee and help with demand side management programs to support energy efficiency and community education. We work the local home shows and help answer questions for customers curious about solar and how it might impact their bills.
How long have you been with UniSource?
I have been with the company for four years and in this position for a year and a half. Before this position, I worked on the gas side of the company. It has been quite the change but I strive for continual growth. I appreciate the challenge this job brings to me every day.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Every day you can go in and say you’ve made a difference, whether that’s helping with customers, supporting the energy grid or being on the forefront of our green energy independence. I enjoy being able to interact with customers when we do field inspections. It is nice to be able to educate customers and answer all the questions an installer might have.
What advice would you give someone who is just starting their career in energy?
I would advise someone entering the energy industry that there is a ton of room for growth. It’s an ever-expanding industry and always evolving. You have to stay on your toes.
Who inspires you?
I’m definitely inspired by my mom. My mom raised me and my little brother as a single parent. She definitely inspires me to be so much more for my kids. I am also inspired by my previous boss, Jerome Heitzman. He is so involved in the community and gives so much of himself to the community. I strive to be as involved as he is. I’m also inspired by my current boss Anthony Lombardi. He is also a great leader and inspires me to do my best every day.
Rebecca Schuster, Kingman Gas Construction Planner
What do you do in your position?
I design underground gas lines to new homes and subdivisions. I also support new companies and existing ones that are relocating. I design main line extensions for our gas distribution systems, and I do general plant work. That includes the administrative side of things, from setting up new vendors to purchasing equipment and paying invoices.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
During my time at UniSource, I’ve held more than nine different positions. I started as a cashier for UniSource Electric, and I’ve worked in dispatching, billing, the warehouse. Then, I moved into the Utility Technician role where I worked a lot in compliance.
I love learning all the different aspects, programs, and networks within the company. I also enjoy working with different departments in doing this planner work. I, especially enjoy learning the physical side of what my construction crews do out in the field.
What advice would you give someone who is just starting their career in energy?
Be open minded, and don’t be satisfied with where you are. It wasn’t until 10-12 years ago, when Susan Gray was named as Vice President (she is now President and CEO), that it clicked in my head: if she could do it, why can’t I? That’s when I started going in the direction that I am now following, learning every single aspect of the company that I can.
Energy isn’t a male-dominated industry anymore. Women are just as capable to work in these roles. Keep an open mind to the different positions and pathways the company has to offer.
Who inspires you?
My mentors, Dave Hutchens (President and CEO of Fortis), Susan Gray, and (VP of Energy Delivery and Safety and Chief Information Officer) Cynthia Garcia. They have brought me back on the path that I needed to be on for myself both mentally and professionally. They keep showing me that once you’ve reached a level, there is still more or another level to attain.
Steve Fuller, PE, Gas Engineer
What do you do in your position?
I primarily work with designing and upgrading natural gas meters and gas regulator stations within UniSource Energy Services. I use programs like AutoCAD and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to provide designs to districts for natural gas installations. I also evaluate equipment and provide reports to the team for new customers being added to our service region.
How long have you been with UniSource?
I started working at UniSource in July 2022, so I will be coming up on two years with the company. Prior to coming to UniSource, I was hired by the Navajo Tribe as a gas engineer after finishing my degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Arizona and Yavapai College.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Gas engineering can provide a lot of challenges and experiences as the field is constantly evolving with new technology and standards, but I enjoy being part of helping grow the communities in Arizona with the new subdivisions and growing businesses. I also enjoy working with all the departments within UniSource. The employees here have an amazing amount of knowledge, and I love absorbing that knowledge to keep building on my professional development.
What got you interested in being an engineer? Why do you enjoy being an engineer?
I grew up around a generating station in Page, Arizona. I really liked working with my hands and originally, I wanted to be a mechanic. In middle school, my teacher encouraged me and my parents to pursue a college degree, and in high school, I realized that I excelled in math and science. From there, I started working in welding and equipment management and have transitioned into working in gas.
There is always new equipment being used and new goals to reach. I enjoy having to be adaptable because there is always something new to learn. I also find it very rewarding to be keeping the lights on and the gas flowing. It’s a great industry to work in.
What advice would you give someone who is starting their career in energy?
Make yourself marketable and valuable when you can. Build your credentials when you can. The career opportunities in the industry are numerous and constantly changing. The field is wide open to people who are willing to learn and work as a team. You’re going to be able to build your people skills and meet people who are always willing to help and be there to support you.
Who inspires you?
My parents, teachers, and supervisors have all inspired me in different parts of my life. Even though my parents never finished high school, they got their GEDs and encouraged myself and my siblings to learn as much as we can and get our degrees. My supervisors have supported and motivated me to get to the level I needed to be at to be successful.
Eric Hughes, UniSource District Engineer
What do you do in your position?
I am the District Engineer based in Kingman, and I cover all of Mohave County. I provide technical advice on electrical designs to our Engineering Technicians. Additionally, I get to work in a planning role as it pertains to system reliability and future growth. Balancing system loads, adding redundancy, or adding capacity are things I look at. Here at UniSource, we operate lean from a personnel perspective. We get to wear many hats and I am fortunate to get to experience many different aspects of the business.
How long have you been at UniSource?
I have been at UniSource for 15 years, I started in generation working as a Journeyman Operations Instrumentation and Electrical Technician and worked at UniSource while we were building the Black Mountain Generating Station. It was both exciting and interesting to be involved throughout this process and see the plant go live.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I really enjoy the problem-solving aspect. I have always enjoyed troubleshooting, identifying, and solving issues, especially during my time as an electrician. Now as an engineer, I still get to find and correct issues, but I get to do it on a larger scale on our distribution system.
What advice would you give someone who is starting their career in energy?
The sky is the limit for you, and the biggest asset that you have are your coworkers. No matter their role, you can learn from them. Reach out and ask questions. Draw from your coworkers and you will continually learn. I have only been in my new role for about five years, and I’m learning things every day from other engineers, journeyman of all departments and crafts, and probably most often, from my employees.
What got you interested in being an engineer? Why do you enjoy being an engineer?
Learning about how things work has been interesting to me since I was a kid. I’ve always liked creating things, figuring things out, how it works, and how I can make it better. Working in the power industry runs in the family. My father worked as a mechanic in a power plant, and my brother started in a power plant as an operator. He is now a Substation Technician for APS. My oldest son is a Journeyman Operations Instrumentation and Electrical Technician in a power plant, as well.
Who inspires you?
I have four sons, and they all inspire me in different ways.