Shawn Sparks Appointed to Miss Utility Board

Sparks will be adding this appointment to his impressive career at Choptank Electric.

Shawn Sparks, Manager of Operating Services at Choptank Electric Cooperative, joined the Board of Directors of Miss Utility of Delmarva in December 2020. 
Miss Utility, short for “miss the utilities,” exists to help protect the underground utilities. 
Their “Call Before You Dig” motto, reminds anyone engaged in digging that it is Maryland law to call Miss Utility toll-free at 811 prior to the start of any excavation. 
With 60% of Choptank Electric’s electric lines underground, the Co-op has been a long-term supporter of Miss Utility. “With our move into broadband, Choptank Electric will be installing extensive fiber infrastructure,” said Leroy Sverduk, Vice President of Engineering Services. “Shawn’s vast utility experience makes him the perfect candidate for the board.”
Choptank Electric Cooperative responds to over 20,000 requests from Miss Utility for underground electric line marks per year. Most are generated by commercial excavators, but that also includes private homeowners, who are required to use the service if a digging activity is planned. April has been designated as National “Call Before You Dig” month as a reminder to homeowners to call 811 prior to digging.  
Starting this summer, as the Cooperative expands into the broadband business through Choptank Fiber, additional underground activity will occur. With broadband, Choptank will potentially double its underground facilities, increasing the reliance on Miss Utility to protect those assets.   
“I am looking forward to serving on the Board of Directors for Miss Utility,” said Sparks. “I know that I can add value between my experience at Choptank Electric and the relationships that I have built working with our contractors.” 
With a term limit of two years, Sparks will be adding this appointment to his impressive career at Choptank Electric Cooperative. He has worked for the Cooperative for over 30 years and has been the Manager of Operating Services for the last 15 years. Sparks also has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and an MBA in Organizational Leadership from 
Wilmington University.