In September, the KTBS Community Caravan traveled to Longview, Texas, to shine a light on this wonderful community. The journey began at Knox Lee Power Plant.
This past week, SWEPCO teamed up with KTBS to bring its Community Caravan to Longview, Texas, showcasing the city’s hidden gems and the remarkable individuals who make a difference in their community. Each day, a new segment highlights a unique aspect of Longview, offering viewers an inside look at the area’s treasures.
Day 1: Knox Lee Power Plant
The week kicked off with a visit to the Knox Lee Power Plant, a significant part of Longview’s history and infrastructure.
Rick Rowe from KTBS shared how it is providing reliable energy to the community. The plant, operated by SWEPCO, has been a cornerstone of Longview’s development, ensuring that homes and businesses have the power they need.
“We produce a product that nobody sees,” said Knox Lee Plant Manager Pete Civitarese. “Every morning when you go plug in your coffee maker to turn it on, it’s there making your coffee. Our ladies and gentlemen who work here at this facility 24/7, 365 (days a year), provide safe, environmentally compliant power to the whole region … and we’re honored to serve.”
Power is essential to modern life, and SWEPCO also had the opportunity to share some of the ways it’s helping to power economic development in Longview.
“We only succeed when our community succeeds, and when we can bring additional business here,” said Mark Robinson, manager of External Affairs in Longview. “Businesses have choices, and they can go all over the United States and that is why we do attraction efforts to come and say ‘Come look at Longview. We’ve got a reliable grid, it’s modernized … and we’re ready for your business.’”
Longview Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Wayne Mansfield said it’s critical for Longview to have the availability of essential, reliable power for the expansion of existing industries and to attract new industries.
He said the $1.3 billion expansion of Eastman Chemical Company – which was announced in March 2024 – is a great example of how vital community partnerships can be in landing economic development wins.
Monte McMahon, Vice President of Generating Assets for SWEPCO, also shared about how SWEPCO has a diverse resource portfolio, which is essential to delivering reliable and affordable power. He concluded the segment with a special message for power plant employees.
“Thank a power plant worker,” he said. “They make a product that is essential for the way of life as we know it.”
Michael Henry, Lead Operator at Knox Lee, who has worked for AEP for 42 years, nearly all of those at Knox Lee, said employees are proud of the work they do.
“It benefits the community that we all live in,” he said.
WATCH: This first segment featuring Knox Lee Plant Manager Pete Civitarese, Louie the Lighting Bug, External Affairs Manager Mark Robinson, VP of Generation for SWEPCO Monte McMahon and Michael Henry, Lead Operator at Knox Lee.
Heartisans Marketplace Founder Julee Rachels, at right, and Mark Robinson, SWEPCO External Affairs manager in Longview, at left, talk about the power of community partnerships during the KTBS Community Caravan in Longview.
Day 2: Heartisans Marketplace
Tasty Tuesday featured Heartisans Marketplace, a unique gift shop dedicated to changing lives one woman at a time. Heartisans offers a job readiness program that empowers women by providing them with the skills and support they need to achieve self-sufficiency. The marketplace not only sells handcrafted goods but also serves as a beacon of hope and transformation for many women in the community.
Viewers were able to see how turtle bark and other delicious treats sold at the marketplace are made in the production building, which is manned by community volunteers.
SWEPCO has been a close community partner to the organization, and Mark Robinson, External Affairs manager in Longview, talked about some of the projects the SWEPCO team has been involved in.
“We’ve done it from the roof to floor here,” Mark said. “We’ve been on top of this roof sealing leaks out, and we’ve been doing flooring in the other rooms and painting murals. It’s our employee base that loves to jump in … We’ve got our handprints all over this place, but that’s because this organization has its handprints all over our community.”
One of those employees is Twila Dunlap, Customer Services coordinator associate, who helped paint and move in furniture into several duplexes in Heartisans Community Village. The village provides housing for women going through the job-readiness program. In 2022, AEP Foundation, at the recommendation of SWEPCO, donated $50,000 to aid in the construction of the village.
Heartisans Executive Director Evie Henson said the organization has helped approximately 250 women in its 10-year existence, including Stephanie, one of the first women who came through the program and whose story was featured throughout the day. Heartisans Founder and CEO Julee Rachels said Stephanie gained the skills and education to become a truck driver and is now thriving.
WATCH: This segment featuring External Affairs Manager Mark Robinson and Customer Services Coordinator Associate Twila Dunlap
KTBS Community Caravan Rick Rowe talks with Jason Garrett, Safety and Health Manager for Generation and a military veteran, during the third day of the KTBS Community Caravan in Longview at Veteran's Memorial Plaza at Teague Park.
Day 3: Veteran’s Memorial Plaza and Vietnam Wall Replica
On the third day, the Community Caravan visited the Veterans Plaza and Vietnam Wall Replica in Teague Park. This segment honored the brave men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Vietnam Wall Replica, a replica of the one in Washington D.C., stands as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans. The serene setting of Teague Park, with its beautiful pond and fountains, provides a peaceful place for reflection and remembrance.
“I really think it’s a hidden gem of Longview,” said Richard Yeakley, Public Information Officer for the City of Longview. “People can’t always get to our nation’s capital, but right here in the heart of East Texas folks can out a commemorate on a day like today.”
Safety and Health Manager for Generation Jason Garrett, who served in the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf in the mid-1990s joined host Rick Rowe to walk through the veteran’s plaza.
“This is a reminder of the fallen heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” Garrett said, who served on the U.S.S. Boxer alongside nearly 3,000 sailors and 2,500 Marines.
After coming home, Jason joined the SWEPCO team and said he felt right at home.
“SWEPCO cares about its employees,” he said.
Mark Robinson, External Affairs manager in Longview, shared why SWEPCO supports, recruits, and hires military veterans like Jason.
“SWEPCO loves veterans because of their mindset around safety and the training they’ve received,” he said. “They’ve learned to look out for their fellow employees and that ‘brother’s keeper’ mindset is important to us, so that we’re successful for our customers and employees.”
WATCH: This segment featuring Safety and Health Manager for Generation Jason Garrett and External Affairs Manager in Longview Mark Robinson.
The final day of the KTBS Community Caravan featured RHE HATCO, which has been manufacturing hat bodies for Stetson, Resistol and Charlie 1 Horse in Longview since 1954.
Day 4: RHE Hatco
The final day of the Community Caravan showcased the craftsmanship of RHE Hatco, which has been manufacturing hat bodies for Stetson, Resistol and Charlie 1 Horse in Longview since 1954. That includes nearly half of the hats worn by law enforcement officers.
Viewers got an inside look at their Longview production facility and how hats worn by DPS Troopers and Texas Rangers are made.
“Through a process of hot water and pressure the hats are felted into one solid piece and then finished into a hat body that is sent to our Garland facility to be finished,” said Michael Odom, HATCO production manager.
Mark Robinson, External Affairs manager in Longview, shared about the collaboration between SWEPCO front line employees and local law enforcement.
“We appreciate our law enforcement friends,” Mark said. “It’s amazing how often a car hits a pole and when that happens our friends from law enforcement show up and they help keep the scene safe for us as we work.”
Longview Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Wayne Mansfield said years ago the company considered folding operations into its Garland facility.
“The building was a bit antiquated and some of the equipment was antiquated and there was talk about possibly combining the operations,” he said. “We did not want to lose the jobs and so we put together an economic development package and went to the board, and we were able to save those jobs in Longview.”
WATCH: This segment featuring Mark Robinson, External Affairs manager in Longview.
SWEPCO External Affairs Manager Mark Robinson and Longview Mayor Kristen Ishihara at the Community Caravan Lunch at Greenside Beverage Company in downtown Longview.
Through these segments, SWEPCO and KTBS have highlighted the vibrant spirit of Longview, Texas, and the incredible stories of resilience, dedication, and community service. The Community Caravan wrapped with lunch in downtown Longview at Greenside Beverage Company with local favorites from Cace’s Kitchen and Solo Sandwich Co.
Those attending included Longview Mayor Kristen Ishihara, Longview Main Street Coordinator Paul Guidroz and Longview Community Relations Manager Shawn Hara, CJ Clayton with Visit Longview, and many Longview District employees.
WATCH: This segment featuring SWEPCO employees