Jaerica Troutt – Gallatin Department of Electricity
As one of the fastest growing electric systems in the Tennessee Valley, Gallatin Department of Electricity (GDE) in northern Middle Tennessee serves one of the state’s oldest incorporated communities. Blending small town charm with all the perks of its close proximity to Nashville, the once rural community now attracts both new residents and new industry.
In order to better serve their growing customer base, GDE leaders have committed to giving staff the training needed to advance their careers and meet the needs of a rapidly changing community. GDEHuman Resources/Executive Assistant, Jaerica Troutt notes they have leaned heavily on TVPPA for job-specific learning opportunities that help their staff develop core skills.
Since joining GDE Troutt has worked with General Manager Mark Kimbell to open access to utility careers and advancement to more people. “If I can champion for people who thought they didn’t have opportunities, then I’m going to do that,” says Troutt.
When Kimbell invited her to join him in attending TVPPA’s new Leaders First, Culture Second: Inclusion – The Way Forward diversity, equity and inclusion workshop, Troutt seized the opportunity.
“We went and as soon as you walked into that space, you already felt it was an open floor for communication. The instructor worked with participants to create a safe space for open discussion,” says Troutt. “The material that was covered – you were mind blown! When you go and you sit down and you get to have hard conversations and new conversations with people you may have never have met on your journey …. It’s powerful.”
Troutt goes on to say, “I think the value of what TVPPA delivered in this class is priceless for the utility industry as a whole. It’s been so taboo [to talk about these topics]… TVPPA offered something great in the DEI class that I don’t think, on their own, utilities would have recognized the need for beyond recognizing that maybe there were growth opportunities.”
Since taking the Leaders First class, Troutt, with Kimbell’s support and leadership, has begun implementing changes based on what they learned. “The Leaders First class provided us with opportunities to look within to see what GDE needed to do. It helped us to be proactive rather than reactionary. It helped us identify the questions we needed to be asking,” Troutt says.
“Inclusion is the real work,” she goes on to say. “Are we including everyone in what it is that’s happening at our utility? Are there barriers in place that are hindering people from growth? You have to take that inventory in your utility. Then equity … are we meeting people where they are? Are we giving everyone equal access to opportunity? If not, how can we change that? I think that when you’re looking at your utility, you may be small in number or you may be mighty in number, but you have to examine if you’re welcoming diversity.”
Troutt notes that there have been some challenges along the way, but overall reception of the DEI initiatives and discussions in GDE have been positive. “Being uncomfortable sparks change and growth. Living by those core values and modeling them as leaders, drives progress,” she says, adding, “If it wasn’t for TVPPA’s Leaders First class, then we wouldn’t have planted the seeds for the growth and change that we’ve already seen.”
For LPC leaders across the Valley who might hesitate to engage in a DEI process, she encourages them to “Take a step of faith and take this class at TVPPA; you’re going to get more out of it than you ever imagined. Sit at the table, be participative, learn something, take something, and teach something.”