After over 41 years, the big laugh and smile filling REC’s hallways has retired. Gina Beam started in 1983 as the Secretary of Member Services and Marketing. She then moved to become a Billing Clerk and then the Engineering Secretary/Dispatcher for over 28 years. 

Gina greeted her fellow employees with a good morning and bright smile. That same smile followed as she would talk with the members and people calling in for assistance. She enjoyed being able to talk and help each person who would call in. It was not uncommon for a conversation to bring a song to Gina's mind and start to sing for those around. Her ability to connect with others allowed Gina to excel in her role and finding the best solution for those she was helping. 

Some of Gina's most treasured memories, of REC, are working with her fellow co-workers during the long hours of outage repairs. Sharing in the joys and the frustration with the line crews as they work tirelessly to restore the power.

“As I think about my time at REC, my coworkers will always be who I think about first: the laughter, the fun, the joys and the heartache we were able to share,” she recalls. “We are really a family, and I am thankful I was able to be a part of this family. It didn’t matter if we worked all night because of a storm or if it was a normal day, my fellow coworkers made the time spent together better. I will never forget some of those long nights and the stories we would share about them later.”
While Gina is looking forward to what her retirement years will bring, she knows she will miss coming to work and being around everyone.

“I am truly going to miss the daily conversation with my guys and my friends as they know me better than most – they will always hold a special place in my heart,” she adds. “REC has been a blessing to me and allowed me to blossom in areas I didn’t know I needed at the time.”

Gina has plans for some travel, but what she is looking forward to the most is being able to be available to her family and grandkids.

“We have a few trips planned already,” she says. “I am looking forward to the time I will be able to spend with my family, grandchildren and sisters - as I will have more time for them. I am honestly a little nervous about not reporting to a job every day, but excited for this next chapter of life.”