April 6, 2020

Employee Of Shrewsbury Electric & Cable Operations (SELCO) Pedals The Extra Mile For Customers During Pandemic

By Jackie Pratt, Marketing & Customer Care Manager, SELCO

Around the country, ACA Connects members are doing a fantastic job responding in incredibly positive ways to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

The effort is strong, constant and encouraging, based on reports I have reviewed in reading the ACA Connects Media Sweep on a daily basis. 

Whether it’s removing data caps, offering free Wi-Fi to keep kids connected to schools or offering low-cost broadband service, ACA Connects members are digital leaders appropriately putting their customers and communities first during an unprecedented time in American history.

In Shrewsbury, Mass., a town with about 36,000 residents located 50 miles west of Boston, SELCO is doing its part to serve the needs of customers who are relying on SELCO to keep them connected to all forms of communications, especially broadband Internet access.

Here’s an example of what I mean through the actions of one of our many great employees:

At SELCO, we have a distinctive approach to delivering equipment for self-installation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Staff member Patrick Collins, Jr., a professional cyclist who competes globally, delivers modems to customers by bicycle.

At the onset of the Coronavirus outbreak, SELCO experienced an increase in broadband installations and upgrades.  To protect customers and staff, SELCO moved to self-installation of equipment.

Collins has delivered modems daily, traversing the community of Shrewsbury — which has about 21.7 square miles — delivering equipment once every 10 minutes, covering approximately 45 miles in 3 hours.

Collins travels at a pace equal to or faster than using a motor vehicle — all without the use of fossil fuels or resources needed by maintenance staff.

It’s important to Collins that his approach is sustainable.

“Environmentally friendly transportation … that’s one of the main motivators for me, along with getting healthy exercise outdoors. I figure if the same thing can be accomplished on a bike instead of a motor vehicle, pedal away!” Collins said.

SELCO General Manager Michael R. Hale believes Shrewsbury customers will appreciate knowing about the effort being made by Collins.

“SELCO is committed to providing a reliable network for our many customers who are working and learning from home during this unprecedented time. We are dedicated to ensuring our customers are online and ready to meet their own personal, professional, and educational challenges by providing them the service they rely on to connect to the world. Patrick Collins is doing his part to make that happen and we are proud of his efforts.”

For further information on Patrick Collins’ cycling career, please visit: www.firstcycling.com/rider.php?r=58501 and www.crossresults.com/racer/109667