In bustling Onslow County, home to the Town of Jacksonville, North Carolina, there’s a quiet hero making waves in the field of damage prevention. Meet Ed Batson, the Senior Lead Technician with USIC, whose dedication and tireless efforts have earned him the latest Damage Prevention Most Valuable Professional award.
Ed’s commitment to his role goes beyond the call of duty. He is a regular attendee at every Jones/Onslow UCC meeting held on a monthly basis. When Jeff Parker, his supervisor, can’t make a meeting, Ed steps up to the plate, speaking on behalf of USIC with confidence and expertise on projects and local issues.
Ed’s contributions extend far beyond the meeting room. He’s the backbone of damage prevention, helping to set up tailgate meetings and welcoming new contractors to the area. His proactive approach and willingness to go the extra mile have not gone unnoticed by other stakeholders.
One of Ed’s collaborative achievements was helping to spearhead the successful completion of the Piedmont Natural Gas main project on Hwy 17 in Onslow County back in 2021. Thanks to his meticulous planning and attention to detail, there was no damage reported throughout the entire project—a remarkable feat in the industry of accurate locates.
But Ed’s talents don’t stop there. He played a pivotal role in accurate and timely locates for the completion of the Duke Energy fiber build project in 2023 which spanned the entire county and finished an astonishing three months ahead of schedule. His leadership, expertise, and unwavering dedication were instrumental in the project’s success with communication and coordination during the project.
“It’s no surprise that Ed Batson has been nominated and honored with the Damage Prevention Most Valuable Professional award on March 21, 2024”, stated Ralph Murphy. Presented by NC811 Liaison – Howard Corey and Ralph Murphy – Jones/Onslow UCC chair and State UCC chair, this award is a testament to Ed’s exceptional contributions to the field of damage prevention. As the applause rings out and congratulations pour in, one thing is clear, Ed Batson is a true hero and his impact on damage prevention will be felt for years to come.