AIM Magazine 2017 Print_AIM Magazine_2017_web | Page 53

RESPECT, VALUES & INTEGRITY You could make a difference at a company that improves life with energy while staying true to its values. BLACK HILLS ENERGY is a natural gas and electric utility company that serves 1.2 million customers in eight states, including Arkansas. The company is part of Black Hills Corp., which is based in South Dakota. Black Hills Energy’s mission is to improve its customers’ lives by delivering the electricity and natural gas they depend on every day. In Northwest Arkansas, Black Hills Energy has nearly 400 team members. Careers at the regional office include finance, accounting, IT, regulatory roles, dispatch, and customer service. About 90 of those employees focus on helping customers in the call center. Nancy Weatherford is the call center manager and has been with the company more than 8 years. “I started out answering customer calls as they came in,” she says. “Within a few months, I moved up to a supervisor position, where I was responsible for managing a team of customer service representatives.” No matter what line of work you’re in at Black Hills Energy, you’ll be guided by the company’s values of embracing change and challenges, open communication, creating value, customer service, integrity, leadership, partnership, respecting ot hers and working safely. “I feel blessed to be at a company that lives its values,” Weatherford says. “We talk about those values everyday in our coaching and training. This company doesn’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk.” She says the call center is a fast-paced and fun place to work. “Each representative may help 55 to 65 customers each day – sometimes more. You need to be able to multi-task, be on time and be reliable, and have patience and empathy to help each customer.” Black Hills Energy helps team members grow their careers with training and development. Employees can take advantage of on-the-job, classroom and online training courses in safety, technology, finance and accounting, operations, customer service, project management, and leadership. The company also offers a tuition reimbursement program that can help you pay for additional education. Weatherford says the call center can be a great place to begin your career. “You learn a lot about how the company’s processes and procedures work, and that can help you learn about other types of careers within the company that you might like,” she explains. The company strives to strengthen our communities by supporting growth and development. Locally, Black Hills Energy supports the Kendrick Fincher Foundation, United Way, women’s shelter, food banks, the Angel Tree program, and numer- ous other non-profit and community events. “I try to match people with what they’re inter- ested in, so they can shadow someone in that role,” Weatherford says. ”It’s most rewarding for me when I can help someone else reach their goal. We’ve had people from the call center move into IT, human resources and other roles. There are so many opportunities to build your career.” Some careers at Black Hills Energy take team members out into the field, tackling installation, repair and maintenance jobs. There’s also a dis- patch department, which routes field technicians to where they’re needed most. Black Hills Energy rewards its team with com- petitive pay and benefits that include health, vision, and dental insurance, and a 401(k) retirement savings plan. Employees may also qualify for annual bonuses. For Weatherford, it all adds up to a career she loves. “I’m passionate about this compa- ny and love what I do. You can make your career and a future at Black Hills Energy.” To learn more about how you can improve life with energy, visit Black Hills Energy online at careers.blackhillscorp.com. SPRINGDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | 53