Mr. Jody Rebuck was reared in Gowen City and graduated third in his class from Shamokin High School in 1988.

"I was always interested in math and mechanical science," he says. "During my school days I was employed at a local garage."

Jody enrolled at Pennsylvania State University and earned a degree in electrical engineering. During the summer months he worked as an intern for PPL at the Sunbury and Montour power plants.

The young engineer started his career at Allentown Cement, now Lehigh-Heidelberg, in 1993.

"I answered an employment ad and was hired by plant manager Dennis Wanner," he recalls. "My mentor for three years was Marty Tiderman, who shared his vast cement knowledge with me."

Today, Mr. Rebuck is the electrical maintenance manager. He works closely with Ryan Conaway, who is responsible for plant controls and instrumentation, Mike Easton, project engineer, and Dave Young, electrical supervisor. The electrical group consists of 17 skilled employees.

There is a four-year apprentice program with Berks Career & Technology Center, a required element in preparing employees with the skills to maintain the plant's sophisticated equipment in a safe and efficient manner.

"Technology is ever-changing, with computers playing a major role in the plant's operation," he says. "Preparing for the future, we are moving to a Siemen advanced control system.

"Safety is a priority especially when 69,000 volts enter the plant. You can't see electricity but we respect its impact and therefore use the utmost care when working with our equipment, as electricity is utilized in every area of the plant."

The electrical team works together in a cooperative and safe environment.

"We have a great group of employees who share knowledge and work together to face and solve daily challenges," he says. "We strive to keep the plant competitive and viable for the future."

Mr. Rebuck is a highly knowledgeable electrical engineer with strong family values. His grandparents were hearty independent anthracite coal miners who passed on the virtues of a solid work ethnic to their children.

In my interview with Jody it was evident he has great respect for his parents and grandparents. They taught him lessons of life not found in any college textbooks.

He is on call 24 hours a day and makes a 52-mile drive to Evansville each day from his Gowen City home.

His spare time is spent in his large home garage, working on a street rod or motoring his Jeep with the East Coast 4 Wheel Association and The Line Mountain 4 Wheelers, a group with over 500 members.

Mr. Rebuck is a pleasant amiable gentlemen, a dedicated cement worker who enjoys his position at the plant.

I wish Jody and all my friends at the century old Evansville plant, a safe and prosperous 2013.