Jack Pinder (center) was presented a gold watch at his retirement party by COO John Stuart (right). Pictured with Pinder is his wife Teresa.

August 21, 2007

Jack Pinder Retires After 29 Years

Long time employee Jack Pinder recently retired from Florida Keys Electric Cooperative after 29 years of dedicated service.

At his retirement party, Pinder was presented a gold watch by Chief Operating Officer John Stuart. Other gifts included a large dish signed by his co-workers to commemorate all the meals he prepared for FKEC functions through the years.

Pinder joined FKEC in 1978 as a mechanic working in the Fleet Department and was soon promoted to lead the department. In 2004, he was promoted again to Supervisor of Fleet and Building Maintenance. At work, Pinder also volunteered to become a Certified CPR and First Aid Instructor and earned the training to become the only third-party commercial drivers license tester in Monroe County.

When he was not supervising the maintenance of FKEC vehicles and buildings, Pinder was overseeing the preparation of food. An award-winning chef, Pinder donated countless hours preparing meals for co-op events and community fundraisers.

"When I first started at FKEC I kept hearing the name Jack," Stuart said at Pinder's retirement party. "We'll ask Jack to cook this or Jack can fix that. It didn't take long for me to realize Jack was a man of many valuable talents."

Pinder's "above-and-beyond" attitude also earned him the first FKEC Illumination Award. The award recognizes employees who dedicate extra time to the company and the community.

A true "Conch," Pinder is a member of the Keys' founding Pinder family. He and his wife Teresa will now be spending most of their time in North Florida.