Three Employees Share How Military Service Shaped Their Lives and Careers
At PEC, a spirit of dedication, teamwork, and resilience propels us. This member-first culture is something United States military veterans understand, which is why so many veterans thrive here. In fact, nearly 10% of our workforce is made up of those who served our country. Their experiences and values align deeply with our cooperative’s mission.
Three of these veterans — Zeke Drawhorn, Joseph Otake, and Brandon Womack — share how their military service shaped them and continues to inspire their work at PEC, fostering a community that is driven by a commitment to each other and to those we serve.
Zeke Drawhorn, Standards Engineer, Senior
United States Marine Corps, Sergeant, 2002-2006
Zeke Drawhorn began his time in the service after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. He was in his sophomore year at the University of Georgia when it happened, and with that, decided to enlist in the Marine Corps.
He noted that he chose the Marines because he thought they would be the most challenging. Leadership and training were heavily emphasized in that branch, and the skills he acquired included making serious decisions and acting on them quickly. He shared that the high-stress military environment made a regular, 40-hour workweek easier to manage, especially when you have a strong team.
“Doing difficult things to accomplish a shared objective and being completely dependent on each other naturally builds camaraderie and develops a sense of purpose,” he said. “That mentality is useful in any organization, including PEC.”
Drawhorn started working at PEC in October of 2015. He enjoys living in a rural area and the opportunity to continue making a difference, this time for PEC. Since starting, he’s enjoyed the culture and close-knit environment the cooperative offers.
Joseph Otake, Electrical Distribution Designer
United States Army, Sergeant, 2010-2016
Joseph Otake served six years in the U.S. Army. He came from a family of veterans and felt that joining the infantry would bring him more experience than a civilian job. The 9/11 attacks occurred while he was in high school, further reinforcing his decision.
Otake came to PEC as a lineworker in 2018 because he felt the role would offer excitement and allow him to work outdoors as part of a team. He was thrilled to learn that his GI bill would help supplement his income while he completed the apprenticeship program.
While in the service, he had to operate in many different types of environments, weather, and unpredictable situations. As a lineworker, those experiences have helped him thrive. He also noted that working with people from around the world with different backgrounds in the service has helped him better relate to our members.
Otake mentioned that although it’s a different experience from the military, the camaraderie at PEC feels just as strong and that he’s never had that kind of bond in a civilian job before.
He says he feels well-respected and supported at PEC, noting that his leadership teams have always been helpful with any Veterans Affairs appointments he’s needed to attend.
Brandon Womack, Electrical Distribution Designer, Senior
United States Air Force, E-5 Staff Sergeant, 2002-2007
Brandon Womack also began serving after 9/11. Although he initially wasn’t thinking of joining the military, that tragic day changed his mind.
“The military emphasized the importance of teamwork and discipline,” he said, recalling his time in the service. “I also learned about the values of commitment and perseverance, which have shaped my own approach to both personal and professional challenges.”
During his time at PEC, he’s enjoyed working with a team that respects each other and works together to achieve goals.
“When you are deployed and relying on each other to stay alive, the brotherhood takes on a whole new meaning,” Womack said. “In your respective departments at PEC, you work closely with diverse groups just as you would in the military.”
We’re proud of all our veteran employees at PEC. Each of these men and women consistently goes above and beyond for their teams and our membership. Thank you to all who served this country. Your selfless efforts are appreciated more than words can say.
