What started as a routine inspection on a snowy March morning became a life-changing moment for two people stranded in northern Minnesota.
Barry Williams, substation apparatus technician/electrician at Great River Energy, had finished an inspection and was driving near the Maple Hill Substation in Grand Marais on March 3 when he noticed an unusual sight along the side of the road: A person was crawling through deep snow toward the roadway. Nearby, a snowmobile was buried beneath drifts. Williams quickly stopped to further investigate.
As he approached, he spotted a woman — later identified as Laron Green — struggling to make her way back to the road. The snow was so deep that every time she tried to stand, she sank back down. Realizing she needed help, Williams grabbed a shovel from his vehicle and headed down the hill.
What he discovered was even more serious than he first thought. Not only was Green’s snowmobile stuck, but her husband’s snowmobile was also buried. With deep snow surrounding them and no easy way to free the machines, the situation had become increasingly difficult and potentially dangerous.
Williams went to work, digging out both snowmobiles and helping the couple get back on the trail. Thanks to his quick action and willingness to stop, what could have become a much more serious situation ended safely.
Later that day, Laron and Mitch Green called Williams to share their gratitude. During that conversation, it became clear just how important his assistance had been. Mitch suffers from asthma and was unsure how he would make it back to the trail or recover the snowmobiles on his own. As conditions worsened, the situation could have quickly turned into a medical emergency.
“Barry didn’t hesitate to help when he saw people in need,” said Derrick Schlangen, director of engineering and technology at Great River Energy. “His actions made a real difference for this family and demonstrate the care and commitment our employees bring to the communities we serve.”
Williams’ quick and heroic efforts were recognized on Aug. 19 when Schlangen presented him with the Good Neighbor Program’s highest honor: the Award of Excellence.
The Good Neighbor Program is a volunteer community service program at Great River Energy that recognizes individuals who offer a helping hand in the communities the cooperative serves. The Award of Excellence is presented to employees who have acted on the rare opportunity to use their skills to save a life, minimize serious injury or change the course of an extremely serious situation.
" data-object-fit="cover">