Most people don’t think about what happens after they flip a switch. But every time the lights come on, it reflects the work of hundreds of SWEPCO employees that are quietly planning, monitoring, and adapting to keep power flowing to more than 558,000 customers across Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. 

Behind that reliability is a diverse generation fleet producing more than 5,800 megawatts of capacity.  A mix of natural gas and coal generation, including plants like Arsenal Hill, works in coordination with wind and solar resources such as Diversion and Wagon Wheel to deliver reliable energy when and where it is needed. 

But the real power behind that system isn’t equipment. It’s people. Across SWEPCO’s fleet, operators, engineers, chemists, and maintenance teams work around the clock to keep plants running safely and efficiently. Each role is different, but the goal is shared: reliability. 

 For Arsenal Hill’s Senior Chemist Britnee Fergins, that starts with precision. “As a Sr. Chemist, I focus on keeping our systems running safely, efficiently, and within environmental compliance,” Fergins said. “I monitor water chemistry and work with operations to prevent issues that can impact the units.” That attention to detail helps prevent problems before they start and is one of the many ways teams keep generation steady. 

For Flint Creek’s Maintenance Superintendent Randy Hamilton, reliability is built on people and trust. “My day is about making sure the plant is ready to run,” Hamilton said. “What makes it work is a tight-knit team we can rely on. We trust each other, step up when it matters, and keep the plant running.” 

That teamwork powers 24/7 operations across facilities like Flint Creek, Turk, Welsh, and Knox Lee, no matter the weather or demand. It also drives the behind-the-scenes work customers never see and includes routine inspections, equipment tuning, and constant monitoring to reduce outages and protect infrastructure across thousands of miles of lines. 

Preparation is a year-round effort, especially ahead of extreme weather. Teams plan months in advance performing tasks like checking equipment, refining procedures, and applying lessons learned. Upgrades like enhanced monitoring systems and protective enclosures help reduce risk in both extreme heat and cold, while crews adjust schedules and resources to keep employees safe. “I see firsthand the dedication it takes to keep our plants running safely, in full compliance, and ready when the system needs us most,” said Flint Creek and Mattison Plant Manager Rick Weber. “Preparation comes from months of planning and a workforce focused on doing the job the right way.” 

That same commitment extends beyond plant operations. Employees support environmental stewardship through advanced emissions controls and growing renewable generation, while also investing in the communities they serve—like the Eagle Watch Nature Trail near Gentry, Arkansas, a 65-acre habitat created by employees and volunteers. 

Across every plant and every role, one thing is clear: reliability doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built every day by people who plan ahead, work together, and take pride in keeping the lights on.