NEC employees, Joe Rivera and John Guzman have partnered with other Texas electric cooperative volunteers and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) International program to help bring electricity for the first time to a village in Guatemala this November.
The work will take two weeks and at the end of the work, the lights go on and burn bright in the village of Matasanos, Guatemala. This community project brings power to about 240 people and 47 families to truly change their quality of life. While there, Joe, John and the other volunteers will support the community as needed.
Rivera and Guzman, Robstown natives, are no strangers to hard work as they collectively have spent 30 years working as lineworkers at Nueces Electric Cooperative. They have spent decades and countless hours dedicating their careers to providing safe and reliable electricity to South Texas, and they have volunteered to do the same for a small village in Guatemala.
“I have given so much over the years to my own community and love that I have the opportunity to go to Guatemala to do the same,” said Rivera, NEC Crew Lead, Journey Lineworker.
Guzman, Journey Lineworker with NEC for nine years has similar sentiments regarding the project. “It’s about making a larger impact and making a change in these people’s lives.”
Rivera was recognized by NRECA in their 'Honoring Lineworkers' feature celebrating our lineworker heroes. He was acknowledged for being a role model who is skilled and always focused on our members. Each year he gives several bicycles to our holiday toy drive and is a generous donor to the statewide safety scholarship fund. Rivera also received a 2023 TEC Life-Saving Award for his efforts to support a man who couldn't breathe in a local restaurant. By volunteering for this project, Rivera hopes to inspire a community and help improve their way of life - it's what he does every day.
“Powering a community and working in a place where I can affect someone’s way of life means a lot to me; It’s what I do every day, “says Rivera.
In the month of August, Guzman was NEC's Employee of the Month due to his tremendous dedication and willingness to go above and beyond to provide outstanding work. His initiative to take on additional jobs demonstrates his commitment to our NEC membership and his desire to volunteer in Guatemala demonstrates his willingness to help others improve their quality of life forever. Guzman uses his valuable skills to boost the team as well as others around him. His motivation for volunteering in Guatemala is hard work, focus, and a strong will to help complete this project.
“Every day these men put their lives on the line. 85 years ago, NEC brought power to our South Texas rural communities when no one else would; now our lineworkers are doing the same job in another country, in need of a helping hand.”, stated NEC CEO, Varzavand “Avan” Irani. “We wish them a safe trip and look forward to hearing about the lives they impact through their work.”
View our Facebook page tomorrow, Thursday, November 2nd, to view photos and videos from the sendoff of these outstanding lineworkers.