Angie Pacheco: Powering Logan City Through Public Dedication

In the world of local government, many professionals work behind the scenes, ensuring that cities and communities function smoothly. Angie Pacheco, the Electric Utility Planner at Logan City Light and Power, is one of those dedicated professionals. Her commitment to her role and community shines through in her daily work, which ranges from ensuring reliable power for homes and businesses to planning for the city's future electrical needs.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Angie about her journey in local government and her role at Logan City. She shared her story with the same enthusiasm and dedication she brings to her work every day.

From Intern to Electric Utility Planner

Angie’s journey into utility planning started long before she took on her current role. “I’ve been at the Light and Power Department for a year in this role,” she began, “and before this, I was a GIS aid for two years. Before that, I had a random little job, but I also worked as an intern at the Environmental Department at Logan City. All of these were Logan City jobs. Before this role, I had been working in Logan City part-time for about three years.”

Her time at Logan City has been a learning experience that has allowed her to grow professionally while making a tangible impact on her community. When she stepped into the role of Electric Utility Planner, she was ready for the challenge. “I am the Electric Utility Planner at Logan City Light and Power. The Light and Power Department are the ones in charge of all the light and power that happens in Logan City—from residential to commercial buildings and everything in between.”

Angie describes her role as dynamic and ever-changing. “There’s a lot that I do,” she said, “and a lot gets thrown in my direction. It’s kind of like being a Jack of all trades. I do all the GPS work for the power infrastructure, and I inspect it for both commercial and residential projects. There’s just one of me, so I’m doing all of that, and I also help create power plans for new subdivisions.”

Despite the wide-ranging responsibilities, Angie takes it all in stride, embracing the variety that comes with her role. “I have my hands in every little pot. It kind of helps my day flow. I’m never really stuck in the office. I could be at a job site, meeting with contractors or internal personnel, or doing something completely different.”

Finding Fulfillment in Public Service

One of Angie’s driving motivations is the opportunity to make a positive impact on her community. “I like that my job involves me being a part of my community. It feels like I’m an active member of society. I just really like that. I feel like I’m helping people, and that aligns with me as a person.”

This connection to the community has been a consistent theme throughout her career at Logan City. From her early days as an intern in the Environmental Department to her current role as Electric Utility Planner, Angie has always sought to contribute in meaningful ways. “Right after college, I started at the Environmental Department in the summer of 2020. It was different because of COVID, but we were able to do community outreach with a podcast, which was really fun.” Even I remember listening to her podcast about the City of Logan when I attended Utah State University around 2020.

Angie’s passion for public service goes beyond simply performing her duties; she genuinely cares about the impact of her work. Whether she’s planning electrical upgrades for a historic neighborhood or ensuring that new subdivisions have the power infrastructure they need, she’s driven by a desire to serve the people of Logan City. “Utility planning doesn’t happen in a vacuum,” she explained. “We’re constantly working with other city departments, developers, and community members to make sure that our plans align with the needs of the community.”

Embracing Innovation and Adaptability

As the Electric Utility Planner, Angie is constantly looking ahead, planning for the future needs of Logan City. This forward-thinking approach has led her to embrace innovation in utility planning, particularly when it comes to integrating technology into her work. “Technology is a game-changer in utility planning. We’re using GIS and data analytics to better understand the city’s electrical infrastructure and to make more informed decisions about where improvements are needed.”

Angie’s background in GIS has been invaluable in her current role, allowing her to leverage data and mapping tools to enhance the city’s electrical grid. “As a GIS Aide I helped maintain Logan City’s existing utility layers and other infrastructure layers. Every now and then, I have to use that year’s orthographic photographs and find new homes and make sure they’re existing in our system. Learning and familiarizing myself with Logan City’s GIS data as an Aide has become extremely useful as an Electric Utility Planner.”

But Angie’s adaptability doesn’t stop at technology—she’s also flexible in her approach to problem-solving and planning. Her journey in local government has taken her down paths she never expected, but she’s embraced the opportunities that have come her way. “Where GIS took me isn’t where I thought I’d be at all, but I’m really happy and finding fulfillment in it.”

This adaptability is also reflected in her thoughts on emerging technologies like AI. “AI seems more like a supplement rather than something that will completely take over. This is me speaking in 2024. Who knows? Maybe a couple of years from now, I’ll wonder why I said that. But I feel like I’m at this intersection where local government is people working for people, and AI will help, but not replace me.”

Leadership and Mentorship

In addition to her technical skills and dedication to public service, Angie is passionate about leadership and mentorship. She’s acutely aware of the demographics in local government and the challenges that young professionals face in the field. “Demographic-wise, the youngest people in the departments I’ve been in are usually interns or part-timers, but there are more and more young professionals I have gotten to work with.”

Angie is committed to mentoring and working alongside the next generation of public servants, sharing her knowledge and experiences with those just starting out in their careers. Her leadership style is one of empowerment and collaboration, and she believes that supporting her colleagues is key to creating a strong, effective team.

Looking to the Future

As Angie continues her work at Logan City, she remains focused on the future. There are always new challenges on the horizon, but she’s ready to meet them head-on. “There’s always more work to be done,” she said. “But I’m excited about the future. We’re facing some big challenges, like preparing for increased energy demands and integrating renewable energy sources into the grid. But with the right planning and collaboration, I’m confident we can meet those challenges.”

Angie Pacheco’s journey as Logan City’s Electric Utility Planner is a testament to the power of dedication, adaptability, and community-focused innovation. Her work behind the scenes ensures that Logan City continues to grow and thrive, and her commitment to public service sets an inspiring example for others in the field.

If you’re looking for a story of passion and purpose in local government, look no further than Angie Pacheco—a true leader in her community.

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