JCREMC Staking Engineer Scott Jean greets a member during the 2024 JCREMC Annual Meeting.
Scott Jean was first hired to JCREMC in 1993 as a Member Services Representative. Back then, he was often tasked with helping members save on their electricity bills and take advantage of rebates.
Even in a more public-facing role, Jean knew he wanted to get involved with the engineering side of JCREMC’s work. After handling member calls each day, he attended night classes to earn an engineering degree.
With a long-standing interest in technology and STEM, transitioning into a staking engineer role in 2000 was a natural next step.
Today, Jean focuses on long-term projects that keep the cooperative’s system strong and reliable. These projects include replacing aging utility poles, planning new substations, and coordinating with local municipalities on changes such as road expansions and new roundabouts.
“These projects are normally more long term from start to finish. Some of that takes a good 10 years. It’s not like the daily appointments where I’d meet someone and then move onto a new job the next week,” Jean said.
Beyond his projects, Jean enjoys mentoring others. He often brings newer staking engineers along for some of his projects, helping them gain valuable field experience with industrial members.
After 33 years walking through JCREMC’s doors, it’s the cooperative difference that keeps Jean motivated.
“When I grew up, you had little local stores that were owned by local people,” Jean said. “Like at hardware stores, they had people who were so knowledgeable and would actually help you. I could walk in and say, ‘I need a half inch rivet,’ and he [the store owner] would say, ‘Aisle 71, top left.’ That’s how I see the REMCs.”
“That’s the difference between us and a big utility. We can always beat them on customer service and going that extra mile, because these people are our neighbors. That’s one of the reasons I’ve stuck around JCREMC so long, I really admire the business model, and I admire being a cooperative.”
Looking toward retirement in a few years, Jean is excited to spend more time on hobbies like traveling with family.
“You’ve got to find something you’re happy doing, and I’ve always felt that the REMC offers a lot that other companies just don’t,” Jean said. “It’s been a good career; I’ve been blessed to be here 33 years now.”
For those just starting out, Jean recommends focusing on one day at a time.
“Don’t look at the bigger picture and think, ‘Oh gosh, I’ve got 30 more years.’ It gets overwhelming that way. You’ve got to count the blessings of each day, and make the best of it, and then move onto the next one,” Jean said.
This story is from the summer 2026 edition of JCREMC’s biannual newsletter, Empower.