In this episode of SMECO Connects, Tom Dennison and Natalie Cotton sit down with Evelyn McCauley, a rising senior who just returned from the NRECA Youth Tour. Evelyn shares her surprising nomination story, the friendships she formed, and the unforgettable moment of asking tough questions to elected officials in Washington, D.C.

Along the way, you’ll hear:

• How a guidance office summons turned into a life-changing opportunity
• The hilarious chaos of a river cruise dance gone wrong
• Why civic engagement—and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone—matters more than ever
  
  

Evelyn’s journey is a reminder that leadership begins with saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities.

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When the lights go out, the clock starts ticking—and Dale is one of the first people in the hot seat. From restoring thousands of homes in minutes to making split-second safety calls, his job in SMECO’s operations center blends adrenaline, strategy, and teamwork under extreme pressure.

In this episode, Dale shares his journey from lineman to distribution system supervisor, what really happens behind the scenes during major outages, and why safety always comes before speed. You’ll hear real outage stories, surprising tech tools that keep the grid running, and the unseen decisions that shape how fast your lights come back on.

Key Takeaways:

• How outage restoration is prioritized in life-or-death scenarios
• The technology and teamwork powering SMECO’s operations center
• Why “calm under chaos” is the most important skill in the room
  
  

Whether you’re curious about how the grid works or inspired by people who thrive in high-stakes environments, this conversation pulls back the curtain on an essential, often invisible job that keeps communities running.

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What happens when a young engineer takes on the future of the electric grid? Alex Santiago, SMECO distribution and commercial design engineer, joins hosts Sonja Cox and Tom Dennison to share how he’s shaping the way power reaches homes, businesses, and entire communities—while tackling the biggest energy challenges of our time.

From the pride of powering your local Chick-fil-A to navigating the state of Maryland’s electrification push, Alex takes us inside the grid, explaining how electricity travels from generation to your outlet, and what the next decade will bring. Along the way, he offers insider insights on why your neighbor might have power when you don’t, why nuclear still matters, and how innovation in battery storage could change everything.

Key themes:

• How power really gets from plants to people
• The electrification boom and grid reliability
• Why nuclear and renewables must work together
• Pride, problem-solving, and serving the community
  
  

Get ready for an energizing conversation that will leave you looking at every light switch, outlet, and power pole in a whole new way.

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Instagram: @somdelectric
X (Twitter): @somdelectric