Celebrating the Retirement of Shawn Sparks
After 35 years of dedicated service, Shawn Sparks is retiring from Choptank Electric Cooperative. Shawn leaves behind a legacy built on hard work, leadership and genuine care for both coworkers and members.
Shawn began his journey with Choptank Electric on June 4, 1990, as a Storeroom Attendant Helper. Just a few months later, he became an Apprentice Lineman in the Berlin District, eventually earning his Journeyman Lineman status. In January 1994, he transitioned into the office as a Member Services Advisor, where he worked closely with members to address their needs and questions.
His strong understanding of cooperative operations and commitment to service led him into leadership roles over the years. Shawn served as Supervisor of Technical Services (Supervisor of System Control), then as Operating Services Supervisor beginning in April 2005. From there, he moved into the role of Manager of Operating Services, and ultimately became Manager of Operations in August 2021, a position he held until his retirement.
Throughout his career, Shawn’s favorite part of working at Choptank Electric has been “meeting and getting to know so many employees and friends along the way.” Reflecting on his 35 years, he shared, “I’ve seen a lot of coworkers come and go, but I’ll always remember the great people I’ve worked with.”
When asked what he’ll take away from his career, Shawn said what will stick with him most is how much employees truly care about the members. “Whether it’s helping someone with a question about their bill or doing everything possible to get an outage restored, the slogan ‘Members First Every Day’ really is true.”
To new employees joining the cooperative, Shawn offers this advice: “Always be ready, willing to learn and keep your eyes and mind open for new opportunities.”
As he looks ahead to retirement, Shawn is excited to spend more time on hobbies and projects he’s long been waiting to tackle. “I plan to do some woodworking, home improvement projects and finally restore my old car that I’ve had since high school.”
Looking back, Shawn says his 35 years at the Cooperative have changed him in countless ways. “If I had to summarize what it has meant to me to work here for all that time, it has made me very grateful — grateful for the relationships, experiences and opportunities. I came to Choptank just looking for a good job, and I never could have imagined the fortune of having such a wonderful career.”
Please join us in celebrating Shawn Sparks for his decades of service and wishing him the very best in his well-deserved retirement!
