John W. Turk Jr. Power Plant Maintenance Supervisor David Rumsey has been named SWEPCO’s inaugural Volunteer of the Year.

The surprise announcement was made by SWEPCO Vice President of External Affairs Brian Bond at a Feb. 29 recognition lunch honoring 10 employees who are making an impact in their communities through volunteerism.

David serves as a sergeant in the reserve unit of the Atlanta Police Department. Early into his career at Welsh Power Plant, the East Texas Police Academy held a nine-month academy in his hometown of Atlanta, Texas. David attended class for four hours every weeknight to graduate. He signed up with the reserve unit in late 2006, and he now spends hundreds of hours each year patrolling and covering shifts, occasionally alongside his wife, who is a full-time officer. In addition to being a sergeant of the reserve department, David also volunteers throughout the year at multiple school and city events.

“David’s passion for helping others is truly inspiring,” Bond said. “His selfless acts of kindness have touched the lives of many, and we are proud to have him as part of the SWEPCO family. This award is a testament to his hard work and commitment to making his community a better place."

David logged more than 300 volunteer hours in 2023.

“Volunteering with the police department is my way of giving back to my community,” David said. "My parents always gave back to their community, and it's just something that they instilled in us."

In addition to David, nine other employees were celebrated for their service and commitment to a variety of organizations and causes across their respective communities. These individuals were selected based on volunteer activities logged through the Caring Together portal.  The AEP Caring Together program uses a volunteer tool to help employees find and engage in volunteer opportunities and even record their own individual volunteer activities.

The nine volunteer service honorees include:

  
1. Lindsay Bates, Distribution Dispatcher, Shreveport 
Lindsay supports area veterans through her volunteerism with the Lowe-McFarlane American Legion Post 14 and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 14 in Shreveport.  As the current president of the auxiliary, she routinely works on fundraisers that aid veterans and the programs benefitting them. In addition, her role also involves helping coordinate community activities at the American Legion Post. 
 
2. Erik Eaves, Region Production Support Supervisor, Welsh 
Erik lends a hand to numerous organizations across East Texas. His volunteerism extends from refereeing youth basketball games and assisting with Eagle Scout projects to installing electrical wiring at a church and assisting with storm clean following hurricanes or tornadoes. He also participates in several community projects through United Way in both Tulsa, Oklahoma and Longview, Texas, as well as serving as the Booster Club President for his children’s school, which involves managing fundraisers and working concession stands weekly. 

3. Robert Harper, Telecommunications Technician C, Natchitoches
Robert invests his time in developing the next generation of leaders in central Louisiana. He volunteers numerous hours at the Harvest Now Camp in Anacoco, a church camp that involves its campers in community outreach opportunities that build confidence and change lives. 
 
4. Derek Peters, Environmental Coordinator Consultant, Shreveport
Derek Peters shares his time with his community by helping others grow in their faith. As a life group teacher at First Baptist Church in Haughton, he routinely spends a couple hours guiding a small group in connecting and engaging with each other and their community. 

 
5. Doyal Reed, Customer Services Account Representative, Principal, Texarkana 
Doyal volunteers his time with several organizations and events benefitting area youth. He frequently lends a hand with the Fouke Band Booster and participates in career days and expos at area schools. In addition, he can often be seen helping at community events such as “Nash”ional Night Out. 
 
6. Benjamin Seals, Instrument Technician, Flint Creek 
Benjamin supports area Northwest Arkansas youth with interests in marksmanship through his involvement with the Ozark Youth Shooting Team. He’s witnessed how competitions have helped students overcome daunting obstacles, debilitating fears, and personal challenges.  The team has played a pivotal role in his children’s life, and he is proud to be one the many coaches and volunteers who devote countless hours and dollars to it. 
 
7. Jason Townsend, Stores Attendant A, Texarkana 
Jason shares his passion for fishing with area youth as a volunteer coach. For the past several years, he’s coached and served as boat captain for the Genoa Central High School fishing team. This year, he began coaching the Fouke fishing team as well. In addition, he started ArkLaTex Bassmaster High School and Junior Fishing Trail and serves as its tournament director. The nonprofit is dedicated to high school anglers in Southwest Arkansas, Northeast Texas and Northwest Louisiana to promote sportsmanship and conservation. 
 
8. Becky Whitenack, Generation Applications Support Specialist, Sr., Hallsville
Becky has a heart for her East Texas community. She spreads her time among numerous organizations from a Girl Scout troop to the Judson Lions Club to The Salvation Army. In addition, you’ll likely find her lending a hand at any number of community events, including back-to-school drives, community resource fairs or putting together food boxes for those in need during the holidays.  Among our 10 honorees, Becky volunteered at the most events and with the largest number of organizations. 
 
9. Travis Zappa, Safety & Health Coordinator, Longview 
Travis serves his East Texas community as a volunteer firefighter. Since 2003, he has volunteered numerous hours to answering the call with the Diana Volunteer Fire Department in Upshur County. In addition to responding to fires, his role also involves responding to all medical calls, vehicle wrecks, disasters where storms have brought down trees (clearing roads and rescue residents from damaged homes) and being involved with most community activities. He also volunteers his time to do fire prevention and education with the local elementary school.