At 2 a.m. on the morning of his final presentation, Jon Jones woke up and wondered if he should make some changes.

Jones, who joined Gibson Electric as safety coordinator in 2024, spent the last two years in the Certified Loss Control Program. To earn his certification, Jones had to complete a rigorous series of seminars and tests, a 30-hour OSHA course and a detailed final project.

Jones chose new-hire safety training as his project and put together materials to give each of his fellow course participants. But after a restless night, the 35-year utility veteran put the handouts aside and spoke to his classmates about their ‘why.’

 “We all have someone who wants us to come home safely, and that’s why we make safety our No. 1 priority,” Jones said.

Jones passed the presentation with flying colors and was one of 23 electric utility professionals in the country to receive his certification this year.

Jones said the hard work, hours of studying and contacts made were well worth it.

“I really enjoyed it,” he said. “I have a great network that I can reach out to anytime.”

Loss Control participants go through four week-long sessions designed to challenge and educate them in new, innovative safety techniques. The series of workshops is offered by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in conjunction with the National Utility Training & Safety Education Association.

“As Jon said in his presentation, safety starts with remembering why it matters,” said Charles Phillips, Gibson Electric and Gibson Connect president and CEO. “The training and knowledge he gained through this program will help us continue building a culture where employees look out for one another and return home safely at the end of the day.”