Fayetteville Public Utilities’ (FPU) Student Utility Board (SUB) met in January to tour the telecommunications department and learn about FPU’s internet and digital phone services. During its February meeting students focused on the accounting, billing and marketing departments.

FPU CEO/General Manager Britt Dye opened the meeting with a brief history of FPU’s telecom department and described how quickly the utility has progressed since FPU entered the business in 1999. He stressed that all utilities are important at FPU, so crews respond to internet or phone interruptions in the same timely manner as power disruptions.

Eric Reeves, telecommunication supervisor and substation technician, described FPU’s commitment to expanding broadband service and how grants obtained through the State of Tennessee have helped fund internet expansion to customers who are not served by other internet providers. He said FPU continues to seek additional funding opportunities to extend broadband throughout the utility’s service area.

Drew Cline, telecom lead technician, explained how the telecom department began and that it now is the department’s focus. Cline said the internet business has seen many changes in a brief time. To stay current, FPU is committed to training its employees in the latest technology and equipment.

During the telecom department tour, Cline demonstrated how fiber optic cables work to deliver internet service to homes and businesses and explained the process of fiber splicing to permanently join two fiber cables together. Students observed as he utilized techniques to troubleshoot fiber problems and then participated in a fiber splicing workshop.

“I really enjoyed the fiber splicing demonstration and found it fascinating to learn how much information can be transmitted through fiber wires,” said SUB Member Sam Sanders.

During its February’s meeting, students focused on the accounting, billing and marketing departments. Assistant Manager Kim Posey gave an overview of each department and explained how the behind-the-scenes work plays a vital role in keeping the utility operating efficiently and accurately.

Billing Supervisor Teresa Gentry explained the responsibilities of the billing department to residential and commercial customers and showed students how to locate valuable information about usage, charges and due dates. She also shared how FPU chooses to transparently list the TVA Total Monthly Fuel Cost as a separate line item on customers’ bills instead of adding it to the total electric and stressed the importance of ensuring customers are billed correctly.

Jamie Rives, accounting supervisor, shared that FPU’s electric, water, wastewater, natural gas and telecom departments are treated as separate entities; therefore, profits from one department cannot be used to fund the operations of another. He emphasized the importance of checks and balances to ensure accuracy in all financial matters.

The meeting concluded with a tour of the marketing department. Communications Supervisor Don Counts presented examples of various print and digital materials his department produces to effectively communicate important information and utility updates to customers and employees.

Students then assisted with a promotional video to be shared on the utility’s YouTube channel, social media platforms and local radio stations.

“At today’s meeting, students were given a unique glimpse into departments that primarily work behind-the-scenes at FPU,” said Dye. “These areas perform essential tasks to support other departments and to ensure our utility operates smoothly. This meeting allows students to explore diverse careers and witness all departments working together to contribute to FPU’s success.”