Career profile - Shannon Dages

Shannon Dages

Shannon Dages, associate gas controller

I would tell them that this is a great place to work, and that they will have many great people as co-workers. The company cares about you, as well as your family. You're not just another number here.

Shannon Dages has been with the company since 1999 and currently is employed as an associate gas controller. During the summer months, Shannon and her team buys gas to store in the company's storage fields so it can be used in wintertime when gas prices are higher. Summertime also allows Shannon and her coworkers to conduct maintenance at the facility and to catch up on job training - which, for Shannon, includes CPR and AED training.

What types of responsibilities do you have in the winter?

When the gas we buy in the summer gets injected into the ground through the wells, it becomes dirty with impurities. Therefore, in winter, we have to purify it before sending it to Louisville to be used by our customers. We keep these plants running 24-7. So for the six winter months, we're on a 12-hour rotating swing shift. On a very cold night, it's very busy around here. After everything has been purified, we have a dehydrator system that knocks out any liquid that the gas may have picked up along the way in the process. Also, at this stage we put the odor into the gas so that it can be detected, since gas is essentially odorless.

Why did you apply here?

I applied here to have a lifetime career, not just a job. I wanted to work at a place where I could learn a trade while working on the job. Also, I wanted to be somewhere that I can be loyal to and expect loyalty in return. I have six children, and it takes a lot to feed and insure them. This job is perfect for that.

What do you like about working here?

I like working here because I feel I have a secure job with goods benefits. Jobs like these almost don't exist anymore. I also am a small part of something everyone uses in their home, to keep them safe and warm. I do my best to get them what they need.

What have been your most memorable or rewarding days working here?

Some of my most memorable days working here have been on the very cold nights; when everyone is nice and warm while snuggled in their beds, we're outside thawing out lines, keeping engines going and plants running. I'm proud to be a part of that! I also remember the Louisville wind storm. I did some line sitting and some line walking. We worked a lot of hours, and our families didn't see us during those two weeks, but everyone understood it was something that had to be done to get the community going again. I met a lot of kind customers after that storm.

What would you say to potential applicants to the company?

I would tell them that this is a great place to work, and that they will have many great people as co-workers. The company cares about you, as well as your family. You're not just another number here. I had to be out for a little while with double knee surgery, and the company made sure I was taken care of. You're there for them, and they'll be there for you!