Keys Energy Services

In an organizational meeting during a regularly scheduled Utility Board meeting on Wednesday, November 20, the Board appointed Steve Wells to serve as its Chair and Robert Barrios to serve as Vice Chair. Wells has served on the Board since 2015 and Barrios has served on the Board since 2018.? The regular meeting of the Utility Board took place in the Utility Board Room of KEYS’ Service Building at 1001 James Street, Key West at 5:00 p.m., on Wednesday, November 20. PHOTO 1: Utility Board Chair Steve Wells PHOTO 2: Utility Board Vice Chair Robert Barrios

On Monday, November 18, newly elected Utility Board member Rachel Oropeza was sworn into office by Key West City Clerk Keri O’Brien at City Hall in Key West. Oropeza was elected to Seat C on Tuesday, November 5. PHOTO CAPTION: (From left) Utility Board member Rachel Oropeza is sworn into office, as her mother (Xiomara Oropeza) and father (Daniel Oropeza) look on, by Key West City Clerk Keri O’Brien (far right).

KEYS recently donated 700 backpacks to the Silverliners to be used for their annual “Flight to the North Pole” event. The event will take place on Thursday, December 5th, and will provide 3-5 year-old children with a chance to experience some early holiday cheer. Originally started by retired Eastern airline flight attendants, the event provides local youth with the chance to take over Key West International Airport, partake in festive holiday games and sing-along’s, and visit with Santa Claus. Each child will also receive a new toy at the event. “KEYS has been a longtime supporter of the Silverliners,” said Lynne Tejeda, KEYS’ General Manager & CEO. She added that, “our backpacks will come in very handy to help the children carry their new toy home, and will serve as yet another happy reminder of a truly magical day.” ?? #CommunityPowered PHOTO CAPTION: Members of the Silverliners, along with KEYS’ General Manager & CEO Lynne Tejeda, show off the KEYS’ backpacks they will give out during the “Flight to the North Pole” event. (From left) Peary Fowler, Tejeda, Mary Mahoney, Joyce Benavides, Crissy Gallagher, and Bindy Blatt.

The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) recently recognized Keys Energy Services with a “Building Strong Communities” award for making valuable investments that enhance the quality of life in its community, beyond efficient delivery of affordable, reliable and clean energy. FMEA recognized public power utilities for programs and projects that provide community education, collect charitable donations, improve the environment, focus on crime prevention and other special programs that strengthen the communities in which they serve, such as lighting ball fields, playgrounds and bus stops, taking part in festivals, parades and holiday celebrations, hosting blood drives, and recognizing veterans and members of the military. “Florida’s public power utilities not only serve their communities, but they also help create a sense of community. Our utilities and their employees want their communities to be the best they possibly can because they live there, too,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director. “We applaud each of these utilities, including KEYS, and their employees for all their efforts to support and strengthen their communities.” KEYS was announced as an award recipient on November 12 at the FMEA Energy Connections Conference and Trade Show in Daytona Beach. KEYS joins 19 other community-owned Florida public power communities in receiving this award. Florida’s 33 public power utilities, combined, are the third largest electric provider in the state, serving 14 percent of Florida’s customers. Florida’s public power utilities serve more than 3 million Floridians and are a statewide employment leader with more than 5,700 employees. ? #CommunityPowered

KEYS’ Laurence Marius and Juan Menendez will celebrate their 20th anniversaries with the Utility on November 15. Marius currently serves as an Auto Diesel Vehicle Technician within KEYS’ Fleets section. In his post, he is responsible for performing journey level tasks in all aspects of automotive preventive maintenance and repairs for KEYS vehicles and equipment. Menendez currently serves as an Engineering Field Representative within the Engineering & Control department. In his post, he is responsible for planning, designing, drawing, inspecting, and initiating new construction. ?? #CommunityPowered

KEYS recently received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its annual comprehensive financial report for the Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2023. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. The report was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report. The GFOA advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research for more than 21,000 members and the communities they serve. #PoweringParadise PHOTO CAPTION: (Clockwise, from left) Irina Baker, @Scarleth Gomez, Amanda Rodriguez, @Debbie Barnett, Jesse Perloff, Lauryn Knowles, Kate Lansdown, Amy Haas, and Jeanette Williams.

At KEYS we strive to provide the best possible experience with every member of our community! ?? #CommunityPowered #PoweringParadise

KEYS Employees partnered with the Rotary Club of Key West today to help raise awareness and funds for World Polio Day! Employees donated $1 to have their pinkie colored purple to show their support. Every dollar raised will be doubled with a matching donation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundations to help with the eradication of polio worldwide. Tonight KEYS’ Service Building will be shinning bright with purple lights for #WorldPolioDay ?? #CommunityPowered #EndPolioNow

KEYS’ Frankie Holtkamp celebrated her 20th anniversary with the Utility on October 12. Webb-Holtkamp currently serves as a Power System Coordinator within the Engineering & Control department. In her post, she helps maintain a reliable and secure power system by controlling loading of the utility’s generating resources.?#CommunityPowered

Raynald Bastien has been named KEYS' Outstanding Employee of the Fourth Quarter for 2024. Bastien has worked for the Utility since 2020 and currently serves as an Apprentice Power System Coordinator within the Engineering & Control department. In his current post he is responsible for maintaining a reliable and secure power system by controlling the loading of the Utility’s generating resources. Prior to his current post, Bastien served as an Apprentice Tree Trimmer and Apprentice Substation Electrician. When asked what he finds most rewarding about his job he said, “being able to work with each department within KEYS to provide excellent customer service and reliable power to our customers.” In recalling his favorite thing about KEYS and its employees Bastien cited the, “desire and commitment to serve our community.” Bastien was born in Brooklyn, New York, and moved to the Florida Keys in 2016. He is a graduate of Campbell University in Jacksonville, North Carolina. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Jessica and daughter Jada, going for motorcycle rides, and playing sports. The Employee of the Quarter Committee selects an employee four times a year for this award. Employees are considered for the award after being nominated by their peers. Final selection of the outstanding employee is based on several factors, which include attendance, attitude, efficiency, initiative, and job performance. #CommunityPowered