Employee Spotlight Hunter

BELLEVUE, Wash. (2023-01-17) “Hunter has taken Outreach to a new level since joining our team last year,” according to Melissa Troy, Outreach Supervisor.

In just under a year, he’s already had some major “good stuff” stories to share that highlight his consistency in partnering our programs with the community. Two highlights include: PSE's donation of a blower door to Habitat for Humanity and his work with La Conner Library Foundation. The foundation desperately wanted solar and missed the deadline on Green Power Solar grants and other programs. Hunter provided a series of options outside PSE for them to pursue. Lo and behold, La Conner Library Foundation was awarded one of the grants! We are incredibly lucky to have Hunter on our Outreach team!” – Melissa Troy, Outreach Supervisor

What is your role at PSE?
I have the pleasure of serving my community as PSE’s Outreach Manager covering Whatcom County and Whidbey Island. The Customer Outreach team works hand-in-hand with our Marketing and Events counterparts to help our program managers achieve their goals for customer awareness and participation.

How long have you been here?
I came to PSE in 2015 from the HVAC and Home Performance contracting world to work on Ben Pelkey’s team as an Energy Advisor. I helped customers manage their energy over phone, email and at events for more than six years out of the Bellingham office. If you’re reading this, Ben, I appreciate all your guidance and support over the years.

How does your role or work support our Beyond Net Zero Carbon aspirational goal?
PSE is working on greening its operations and transitioning our fuel mix to cleaner resources but this can’t be done alone. In order to be successful, we need our customers to join us in the clean energy transition. Many are more than willing once they know the benefits and how to participate. That’s where Customer Outreach comes in. We design outreach strategies in our counties to involve our customers, especially small businesses and those vulnerable populations residing in named communities.

Of PSE’s values, which one resonates most with you and why?
PSE has always felt like a family to me and, while that might sound cheesy to say, I really do believe that. The value that resonates most to me is “we have each other’s back.” I have experienced mutual respect and support for all to be valued and upheld at all levels of this company. For me, when I am in a supportive environment I do my best work and continue to grow my skills.

What’s the best or favorite part about your job?
For my brain, performing repetitive, monotonous tasks is excruciating. Luckily, in my current role, I have such a wide variety of tasks within my days that I rarely feel bored. One day I could be doing an interview or running a workshop on our programs and services in Spanish, doing an energy walkthrough of a business or visiting car dealerships to educate them on our Up & Go electric vehicle programs. I also love taking long drives on Whidbey Island. It’s so beautiful!

What one thing do you need to know really well to do your job?
Having a solid grasp of the programs and services PSE offers is important, but having a more complete understanding of how weatherization, heating, air conditioning and different upgrades are done and how equipment operates allows me the ability to speak intelligently about challenges folks might be experiencing and identify solutions that will help our customers and assist them in getting started.

What safety tip applies to your daily work?
I do a decent amount of driving for my work, so ensuring that I do a 360 walk around and check my vehicle before driving is something I am striving to be 100% consistent with. We live in such a distracted world today and focusing on only the task of driving when I am driving is so important to ensuring nobody gets hurt today.

Is there someone you consider a mentor and how did they help make an impact on you?
I’ve had a lot of folks help me at PSE over the years offering everything from personal development opportunities (thanks to Ben Pelkey, Leslie Myers, Melissa Troy, Jessica McColgin) to so many coffee chats, ride alongs and coaching sessions.

Do you volunteer for a favorite cause?What does this mean to you?
One of this year’s Powerful Partners is Vamos Outdoors Project, a Bellingham nonprofit whose mission it is to provide access to environmental education and outdoor leadership experiences to underserved communities in Whatcom County, specifically Latinx and English Language Learner youth. I recently started volunteering with their swimming program and it’s great fun. I enjoy helping people, being around kids, speaking their languages and learning about Latin American culture.

What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
In spring of 2021 I was feeling burnt out. I had been working since I graduated college with no more than two weeks consecutive break from work. I was ready to take a larger chunk of time off to reset and spend some time alone in nature. I went to my then supervisor, Ben Pelkey, and had a chat about what I needed. At the time the decision felt really scary, as I was ready to leave the financial security of my job if needed. It turns out that wasn’t necessary. Ben and PSE were more than willing to provide the six-week sabbatical that I asked for and it turns out the Customer Outreach team was in need of filling a temporary position while an employee was on leave. Working with Ben, Leslie Myers and Jessica McColgin, I was granted the temporary position, which ultimately turned permanent and was able to embark on the greatest adventure of my life bike-packing the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. Over the next five weeks, I rode my loaded bike solo for 1,400 miles and climbed 100,000 feet of mountain passes from Jasper National Park in Alberta to the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. The serenity and generosity I witnessed while on this journey left me in awe of the beauty of nature and humanity. Big thanks to all the folks that helped me in preparation and along the route, especially my partner, Demi, who ferried me to the start and back home once I finished. I have great people in my life.