General manager notices trend of employees sticking with company
Curtis Boschert took over as Clarksdale Public Utilities general manager in September 2018 and has already noticed the longevity of employees during his tenure of less than one year.
Boschert has seen three CPU employees with at least 25 years of experience retire first hand as the general manager.
“Since I’ve been here, this is our third employee to retire with over 25 years and I think that’s indicative that CPU is a good place to work for and the people in Clarksdale,” Boschert said. “It’s good for Clarksdale. I think it makes Clarksdale a stronger place.”
Dennis Duckworth is the most recent retiree after 27 plus years with CPU. He started working in the maintenance department and eventually worked his way up to a supervisory role where he ran a generator and produced electricity.
CPU gave Duckworth a retirement reception in late July where he was presented a gift and a certificate recognizing his years. His fiancée, Tammie; his sister, Loretha Davis; and nieces Careisha Duckworth, Kim Stevenson and Liberty Smith were all on hand for the ceremony.
Duckworth is a 1986 Coahoma Agricultural High School and 1988 Coahoma Community College graduate with a degree in carpentry, but he held many jobs early in his career.
“I worked on a farm for four years,” he said. “I worked for Coahoma Opportunities for about three years, worked for Mississippi Delta Council for two years and it wasn’t any full-time job in the same way.”
Duckworth worked on a tractor and pulled cattle during his days on a farm.
Then things changed when he came to CPU.
“CPU, they gave me great opportunity going to school, getting a certificate, moving up throughout the years in different positions,” Duckworth said. “You wouldn’t want to be in a better place than here. Some days are better than others. You have to hang in there.”
Duckworth had more than 1,800 vacation hours during his time at CPU. He also worked hard.
“I came to work with a headache, feeling bad sometimes, but I hung in there — a dedicated employee,” he said.
Things were not always easy.
“I really did (enjoy working for CPU), except for times I wanted to quit, but I talked to my dad and other people,” Duckworth said. “He said, ‘Son, they have good benefits, paid vacations and holidays. Stay with it. It will pay off at the end,’ which it did.”
Duckworth’s father was the late Odell Duckworth, who died in 2003.
The effort and dedication Duckworth put into his job did not go unnoticed.
“Duck’s a good man,” Boschert said. “He’s been here (27) years and he stuck with CPU. He decided it’s time to move on and we appreciate that. We appreciate all the work he’s done over the years.”
CPU board president James Hicks concurred.
“He’s a good guy,” Hicks said. “We appreciate him being here and staying on one job that long. Most people have five jobs in 20 something years. He’s been loyal to the company. We hate to see him go. We want him to move on and good luck to him.”
In addition to getting married in the near future, Duckworth said he plans to “get some rest.”
“I’m still going to be doing gardening and little things on the side and fishing and riding a four-wheeler and all that good stuff,” Duckworth said.
The fond memories of CPU will always be there.
“I appreciate working for CPU,” Duckworth said. “It’s an outstanding job.”
