A hush fell over the crowd at United Cooperative Services’ awards ceremony as the co-op’s  manager of operations surprised everyone by walking on stage to announce the Lineman of the Year Award for 2025.

The award is usually announced by United’s CEO Cameron Smallwood. However, Ed Nuñez, who has worked at United since 1987, was unexpectedly welcomed to the stage. He had become the first to earn the co-op’s prestigious award in 2003, and was asked to introduce this year’s recipient before his retirement in January 2026.

“I’m a people-watcher, and you can tell a lot of things just watching people,” Nuñez said. “This year’s recipient has brought a lot to the table. He’s brought a work ethic to one of the most important things, which is being on call. You know, we all work eight hours a day, but being on call is really significant to meet the members’ needs and get the power back on. One of the things I absolutely love about him is that you never have to wonder what he’s thinking, because he’s going to let you know. He does it in a very respectful way, and he gets the point across in a way that you’ll listen. So with that, I want you to help congratulate Cody Goforth.”

As applause erupted, the Cleburne line crew chief made his way to the stage to accept his award. 

United’s Lineman of the Year Award is the top recognition that symbolizes a United lineman’s commitment to safety—whether in hazardous work environments or routine daily work—and the proud heritage of service and dependability the cooperative’s operations crews provide daily to United members.

“Thank you all for this,” he said. “I’m grateful for the company that we all get the pleasure to work at, for the opportunities that are given to us and for the recognition that we receive when we work hard.”

Goforth said winning surprised him, and he was unaware he was even being considered for the award. Surely, a more senior lineman would receive this year’s accolade, he thought. He said he felt honored that others recognized his hard work, especially considering he’s only worked for United for two and a half years.

“That was really neat, actually,” he said. “I was very shocked. There were other people who I had in mind and figured would have been a long, long ways up the list from me. I didn’t expect to win the award in the slightest. It felt good to have the hard work recognized. It just shows that hard work pays off. Even when it doesn’t seem like somebody’s necessarily watching, they are.”

As the 23rd recipient of the award, Goforth joins previous winners Ed Nuñez, Mike Fergason, Mark Buckner, Robert Rejcek, Jeremiah Esquell, Gary Sims, Jerry Don Robinson, Jeff Pannell, Travis Ashworth, Joe Ponce, Jim Young, Arick Wienecke, Carlos Martinez, Josh Koopmann, Ben Perry, Trey Carper, Thomas Smith, Bud Boenisch, Rygh Fullagar, Mark Samuel, Bradley Morrow and Payden Henderson.

Facilities Coordinator Kyle Pickard had nearly finished his dinner when he heard his name called for this year’s Volt Award. He said he had no idea his name would follow as Smallwood made introductions to this year’s recipient. 

“The Volt Award is for an exceptional employee who is nominated by a supervisor or another employee at the co-op,” Smallwood said. “Being an employee of the year is a recognition from your peers, and it’s really special when you get selected for that role. There were a lot of nominations this year, and the person who was selected by the committee definitely deserves the award. This gentleman hasn’t been with us for very long, but he definitely has fit very well into our co-op. Kyle Pickard, please come to the stage.”

He remembered his wife suddenly scrambling to take photos with her phone as he rose from his seat in a daze. As Pickard made his way up to the stage, he fist-bumped several friends.

“I just want to say thank you to everybody for accepting me here, and it’s been a great place to come work,” Pickard said during his acceptance speech. “It’s really great to work somewhere where you get appreciated for your hard work.”

The Volt Award is an honor reserved for employees who have promoted and demonstrated the co-op’s continuing commitment to safety, leadership, productivity, innovation and teamwork, as well as portrayed a professional representation of the cooperative in his or her daily work. 

“I didn’t know what to think when I heard my name,” Pickard said. “I was kind of caught off guard by that. In a lot of ways, it was kind of a blur. It’s definitely nice to get recognized for the hard work I put in. I always try to do a good job for the co-op, and it means a lot to be recognized like this so early in my career at United. I feel like I give it my all, and it is great to be recognized. It’s quite an achievement, and I’m very proud of it. It makes me want to work that much harder every day to make sure everyone knows I’m deserving of it.”

Pickard joins previous winners Jason Dillard, Patty Mangum, Jerry Scott, Johnny Hazzard, Robert Bernhoft, Seth Rosser, Robert Sherman, Cory Menzel, Wes Burton, Denise Robertson, Michael Huston, Mark Dixon, Patti Wagner, Heather Wigington, Clay Turner, Gary Sowders and Chris White as the 18th winner of the Volt Award.

Smallwood presented the awards, discussed the year in review and the cooperative’s plans for 2026. He said he was proud of the achievements of this year’s winners.

“The two employees selected for this year’s awards are great examples of what it means to be a United employee,” Smallwood said. “They represent the very best of what the co-op stands for. We join together every year to celebrate and recognize excellence, and this year’s winners are exceptional individuals who have stood out in their respective areas. We congratulate them on their service to our membership.”