On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, OUC—The Reliable One and CareerSource Central Florida hosted our third joint Exploration Day at the Gardenia Innovation & Operations Center, welcoming 25 students from Cypress Creek High School in Orange County. The event offered students a unique opportunity to explore careers in the utility industry as part of a broader initiative to connect young job seekers with high-demand professions.
Jenise Osani, Vice President of Customer Experience & Sales welcomed students to Exploration Day the OUC Gardenia campus.
Alandus Sims, Strategic Partnership & Projects Manager, greeted students with encouraging words and highlighted OUC’s Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program. Designed to provide hands-on instruction in construction, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, building maintenance and other skills, the program offers a valuable pathway for students to gain practical experience and prepare for well-paying careers in the skilled trades.
Following a brief safety message from Anthony Moore, Safety Coordinator, students were welcomed by Jenise Osani, Vice President of Customer Experience & Sales, before touring key departments across the campus.
John Burgos, a chemist in the OUC Water Lab, explains the testing process of water and how it is distributed to homes and businesses.
In the Customer Service Contact Center, Jose Vazquez Colon, Team Supervisor, highlighted people skills and problem-solving techniques used to assist customers with electric and water service issues.
In the Water Quality Lab, Jaritza Pluguez, Lab Supervisor, Christine Misner, Senior Chemist, John Burgos, Satish Sinha and Jeffrey Stickel, all Chemists, demonstrated how OUC tests water samples to ensure safety and compliance.
Maguire Mulligan, Emerging Technologies Research Engineer, discusses the importance of drones for OUC’s infrastructure.
Students observed OUC’s drone technology in action as Maguire Mulligan, Emerging Technologies Research Engineer, explained its use in inspections, maintenance and disaster relief. In the lab, Rubin York, Emerging Technologies Project Research Engineer, showed how he and his colleagues design, and 3D print custom parts for their projects.
Corey Johson, Manager of Water Operations, spoke on the challenges of maintaining OUC’s water network, highlighted by a live hydrant demonstration to emphasize the power of water. Ric Thurston, Fleet Manager, wrapped up the tour with a walkthrough of the Fleet Building and Service Bay, showcasing how OUC keeps its vehicle fleet running smoothly.
Exploration Day provided students with hands-on experiences and insights into the diverse roles that power OUC operations, inspiring them to consider future careers in utilities and skilled trades.