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.
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.