After nearly three decades of dedicated service, Patsy Thornton is stepping into a well-earned retirement from Dixie Electric.
“Patsy is the type of employee every supervisor would love to have,” said System Engineer and Broadband Operations Manager Jeremy McAndrew. “She is a dedicated employee. Patsy is willing to learn new and difficult responsibilities and she strives to do her best at everything asked of her. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with her for these eight years, and she will be sorely missed. I, along with the entire Engineering Department, wish her the best in this new chapter of her life.”
Patsy began her journey with Dixie on February 26, 1996, as part of the Billing Department. Less than a year later, on January 2, 1997, she transitioned to the role of Work Order Clerk in the Engineering Department, where she has remained ever since. In December 2022, her title was updated to Engineering Aide 1 to reflect expanded responsibilities.
“In addition to processing work orders, I now assist with posting completed jobs to our maps to keep them up-to-date,” Patsy explained. “With the addition of DE Fastlink, I also calculate the amount of wire fiber technicians need for each internet installation.”
Over the past 28 years, Patsy has witnessed transformative changes at Dixie. Tasks that were once handled manually are now streamlined with computer systems, making work faster and more efficient. She noted that the introduction of DE Fastlink has propelled the company forward. “Every time I think, ‘What else can we do?’ something else pops up!”
Reflecting on her career, Patsy shared three valuable lessons for future Dixie employees:
- Be considerate of your coworkers.
- Always prioritize your work.
- If you see a task that needs doing, take the initiative—don’t ignore it just because it’s not in your job description.
Those values are reflected in the legacy she leaves behind.
“Patsy and I worked closely together for about 15 years,” said Dixie Electric General Manager Randy Smith. “She’s very detail-oriented and wants to be sure everything is correct, which are qualities you don’t find every day. It didn’t matter what you asked her to do, it was going to be done right. After working with her for almost 29 years, it just won’t be the same without her.”
Patsy attributes much of her positive experience at Dixie to the supportive work environment. “When I started here, my home, daycare, and children’s school were all within a mile of Dixie Electric, which was a big factor in applying. Dixie Electric has been the best place I’ve ever worked, and my family and I feel blessed to have been part of this company for nearly 29 years.”
As she enters retirement, Patsy looks forward to a slower pace of life. “The first thing I’ll need to do is adjust to not waking up at 5:00 a.m. every morning!” she joked. Patsy and her husband have travel plans but are prioritizing relaxation. “We’ve got a few trips lined up, and I’ll be there for my five grandchildren when needed. Other than that, I plan to do absolutely nothing!”
Dixie Electric is deeply grateful for Patsy’s years of dedication and service. We wish her all the best as she embarks on this exciting new chapter.