Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013 • LMUD’s energy services manager nominated as employee of the year
Publisher’s note: This story originally appeared in the Tuesday, Aug. 6 edition of the Lassen County Times.
The Northwest Public Power Association recognized Theresa Phillips, the Lassen Municipal Utility District’s public relations manager, as the winner of the 2023 Champion of Communications Award. Theresa Phillips, a decade-long employee at the local utility, was nominated as the Lassen County Fair’s employee of the year.
Phillips’ friend, Susan Christensen, nominated her because of how she represents Lassen Utility Municipal District.
Christensen said, “She is LMUD, she’s the face of LMUD.”
When people see her around the community Phillips is always representing the utility district, according to Christensen.
Even when Phillips has a day off, Christensen said she will stop and talk to people and answer questions they might have.
Phillips represents them 24 hours even though she only gets paid for eight, according to Christensen.
“And she does it with a smile,” she said.
Phillips started working at LMUD as the public benefits coordinator. She said her favorite part of the job is working with the hometown businesses, the mom and pop stores in teaching them how to save energy.
“LMUD is very lucky to have her,” Christensen said.
She also said Phillips is involved in the community beyond her position at LMUD.
Of being selected as employee of the year, Phillips said, “It’s an honor and a surprise to be nominated. I appreciate Sue’s nomination.”
Phillips first met Christensen while working as the Salvation Army’s store manager in 1989, her first job in Susanville. Christensen’s mother was a volunteer and her father “was a great supporter of the food shelf.”
The women also worked together with the Lassen County Chamber of Commerce when Phillips was the Chamber director and Christensen was board president.
“It’s an honor to be nominated by someone I think so highly of,” Phillips said.
Her duties also include writing for Ruralite Magazine, managing public relations and external communications and visiting the schools to conduct high voltage safety demonstrations.
Recently, Phillips attended the Lassen Land and Trails Trust camp to present solar power demonstrations for the children and will be at the Susanville IGA Kids Fest.
“I really have the best job at the utility, I think,” Phillips said.
