Whether crews are restoring power after a storm or maintaining the thousands of miles of line that serve their communities, safety is always the number one priority for North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives.

One of the individuals helping to lead those efforts and support the mission of safety across the cooperatives is Becky Alston, who recently stepped into a new role as director of the statewide Job Training & Safety (JT&S) team.

“I feel incredibly humbled, and I’m excited to take on this opportunity,” said Alston. “My main goal is to continue to drive what JT&S has done for years and emphasize that message of safety — becoming a resource to our cooperatives and supporting them as they serve more than 2.8 million members across our state.”

Alongside the JT&S team, Alston’s job is to help crews stay up to date with the latest safety training and technology. Throughout the year, the team conducts safety visits with the co-ops across the state to share OSHA standards and best practices, as well as offer lineworker training programs like the one at Nash Community College.

“Safety guidelines are always changing,” said Alston. “That’s where we pride ourselves, because at the cooperatives, we’re always staying up to date and going above and beyond when it comes to following safety guidelines. But that’s what it takes to build a culture of safety and ensure the well-being of all crews.”

A career of co-op service

Alston is no stranger to the electric cooperative world, having served North Carolina’s electric cooperatives for more than 24 years. Her journey started with Roanoke Cooperative, where she worked as a member services representative before joining the engineering operations team.

Eventually, her work led her to the safety side of the organization, where she spent three years as safety coordinator. After 18 years with Roanoke Cooperative, Alston joined JT&S at the statewide office, where she has been for the past six years.

Through multiple roles, Alston has gained insight into every aspect of what it takes to support electric cooperative members — and it’s that commitment to purpose and community that has kept her connected to the co-ops.

“Working at one co-op is incredibly rewarding, but now getting to work with all 26 co-ops, you get to see the camaraderie and the shared vision of building a brighter future for our communities,” said Alston.

Carrying on the mission

Now serving as director of Job Training & Safety, Alston said it’s her job to continue upholding the high standard that has been set — but she says that’s only possible because everyone across the cooperative network is fully bought into the importance of safety.

“There is a real safety culture here,” said Alston. “Safety is everyone’s responsibility, but it starts at the top, and I think co-op leadership teams across the state are truly committed to it.”

Spending much of her time traveling across the state and working with cooperative crews, Alston has had the opportunity to meet many of the people who help power rural communities in North Carolina. She said it’s those people who make the job special — and they are the ones she keeps top of mind when shaping safety programs and training efforts.

“I care about people,” said Alston. “In safety, you have to want to care and make sure people are able to return home safely. It’s a gratifying feeling to be able to help somebody, and that’s my goal every day I come to work.”