Unitil is joining utilities nationwide in recognizing natural gas employees on National Natural Gas Utility Workers’ Day, which will be held on March 18.
The day highlights the dedication of these workers who work every day to ensure the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to homes and businesses that depend on it for heating, cooking, and other everyday essentials.
“The employees on the natural gas side of our business play a critical role in maintaining a safe and dependable energy system for the communities we serve,” Unitil External Affairs Manager Amanda Vicinanzo said. “Through their dedication, teamwork, and expertise, we’re able to meet the energy needs of customers around the clock. We’re proud to recognize their hard work and professionalism.”
National Natural Gas Utility Workers' Day is held on March 18 because it marks the day when an explosion occurred at a school in New London, Texas, in 1937 that resulted in the odorization of natural gas to make leaks more detectable and prevent future incidents.
At Unitil – a provider of natural gas and electricity to customers in New England – gas workers perform a variety of jobs ranging from distribution and service technicians to engineers and project leaders.
They include longtime employees like Robert Allen, a construction supervisor who marked his 17th year with Unitil last week. He was inspired to work in the trades by his father, who was a drywall finisher and painter. Allen learned his trade and entered the home construction business, but he changed course and took a job with a utility contractor for four years before joining Unitil as a distribution technician in 2009. He served in that position for 11 years before transitioning to management roles within the company and working as a supervisor of technical training and quality management. In that role, Allen oversaw Unitil’s virtual reality training program, which allows gas workers to experience virtual scenarios ranging from a potentially dangerous leak to patrolling transmission pipeline to ensure its safety.
In 2023, Allen took on his newest role as construction supervisor for the Granite State Gas Transmission Line, which is an 86-mile interstate natural gas pipeline operated by Unitil that extends from the Massachusetts/New Hampshire border through New Hampshire’s Seacoast region to Portland, Maine.
"I’ve always had an interest in the transmission pipeline side of the business. Our Granite State Gas Transmission pipeline is a vital component to some of Unitil's gas distribution systems," he said.
Allen said he enjoys the complexity of the job, which includes overseeing pipeline replacements and the construction of new launcher and receiver facilities – stations used to insert and remove inspection or cleaning tools called pipeline pigs.
“I think that’s what I enjoy the most, seeing these complex stations go from plan sets to physically built and operational. It’s very rewarding,” he said.
Samantha Keach, manager of Gas Control, joined Unitil 10 years ago. She majored in psychology in college, believing she would pursue a career in family or relationship therapy, but her path changed when she was hired as a gas controller at Unitil, which is where her father worked at the time. She was promoted to supervisor and eventually manager, whose responsibilities include the safe remote monitoring of Unitil’s gas systems and controlling those systems.
“My job is to put eyes on those things that you can’t really see. I make sure that everything that we’re delivering to our customers is done safely and responding to any conditions that would indicate an abnormal operation,” she said. “I really like the fact that I work with many different teams, from gas system operations and the distribution groups to the service guys, but also other groups like cybersecurity, IT, and energy supply. I get to work with many different types of people and really be the person that helps coordinate everyone’s needs.”
Gas service technician Scott Murray began working for Unitil nearly four years ago. He entered the utility industry after initially planning a career in business. When he received a job offer performing transmission pipeline work in the western United States, he took the job and realized that it was the right fit for him.
“I really enjoyed the work. I’ve always enjoyed working outside and working with my hands,” he said.
Murray eventually returned to Maine, which is where he grew up, and was hired at Unitil. Among other responsibilities, his work involves emergency response, investigating odor calls, installing and replacing gas meters and related infrastructure, and troubleshooting pressure issues.
“I like working in an industry where we’re providing a good and service that is needed and enriches peoples’ lives on an everyday basis. If we’re on an emergency response and we get the gas back on in December, everyone’s like, ‘Wow, thank you so much. We had no heat and no hot water and we couldn’t cook our dinner tonight.’ Knowing that it’s such a critical part of our infrastructure that so many people rely on daily, to me that’s pretty cool,” he said.
Joshua Ryan has worked as a Unitil gas distribution technician for a year, but prior to joining the company he worked in the field as a subcontractor for several years. He pursued the profession at the urging of a family friend.
“Unitil has always been my end goal. This is where I wanted to be for the remainder of my gas career. There are plenty of opportunities to experience the many different levels of gas operations. There are endless opportunities to do whatever you want in this industry,” he said.
Ryan likes the challenges that come with the job.
“You can do the same job two days in a row, but each job is completely different. Every day is unique in its own way to get the job done,” he said.
Photo Captions:
- Top Image: Robert Allen, a Unitil construction supervisor, performs maintenance work known as a "pig run" to ensure the safety of the Granite State Gas Transmission Line.
- Second Image: Robert Allen is a construction supervisor for the Granite State Gas Transmission Line, which is a natural gas pipeline operated by Unitil.
- Third Image: Samantha Keach is a manager of Gas Control at Unitil
- Last Image: Scott Murray is a Unitil gas service technician
