Pictured: George Combs (center) and Laura Dougherty (left) as he accepts the Laura Dougherty Award, at Thursday night’s Readers’ Choice Awards at Krider Performing Arts Center. Alongside Combs as he received the award was his wife, Daphne Cox Combs.
Paris, TN –George Combs, BPU Water Meter Reader/Technical Aide, was recognized Thursday evening with the Reader’s Choice Awards highest honor, the Laura Dougherty Award. The award is given to a Paris native who shows creativity and hard work in the local business community. Combs is the third recipient of the award since it was established in 2017.
Combs, a Paris native, has been with the Board of Public Utilities for 44 years, serving Henry County with dedication and selflessness. When Combs was recognized by BPU on social media as the employee of the month in February, hundreds of community members commented telling stories from over the years of Combs’ kind heartedness, friendliness and overall positive representation of the organization.
“George is incredibly deserving of this award,” said Tony Brown, Director of Water and Wastewater at BPU. “He always has a positive attitude and will do anything for anyone. He loves this community and our community is lucky to have a guy like George in it.”
As a second generation BPU employee, Combs followed in the footsteps of his father who severed the organization for 42 years and upon his retirement was recognized for the same loyalty and work ethic his son is known for today. Combs will be retiring from BPU this fall.
“I am so incredibly humbled and thankful that I have been given this award,” said Combs. “I love serving Henry County. I love the people and I am blessed to have been able to serve them for the last 44 years. I don’t consider any of them customers, they are my friends and I appreciate each and every one of them.”
About BPU – Established as an independent board of the City of Paris in 1938, BPU is a municipally-owned utility that provides electric, water and wastewater services to residents of Paris and Henry County as a means of promoting economic development and enhancing quality of life in the community. Serving over 21,000 homes and businesses, BPU strives to provide reliable, safe and affordable services to our community.