Celebrating his 28th anniversary at the co-op this month, Tim Andrews knows how to work through adversity and celebrate the wins.

Andrews started his career as a meter reader in 1995 before moving to warehouse coordinator, where now he’s in charge of pulling materials for each day’s projects, as well as keeping an inventory to make sure we’re set for the future. And in a time of supply chain issues, he’s had to get creative.

But that’s the fun of life -— meeting and overcoming the challenges.

Let’s learn more about Tim:

What motivated you to work at the co-op?

“I actually took a $5 an hour pay cut to come here, just because I didn’t see my previous job as a long-time position. I was in the middle of building our first home and had just had our first kid a few months before. The REMC had a good reputation. If you can get in at the REMC, then get in.”

What’s your favorite part of your job? 

“Probably talking with people. When I was out on the system, whether it be with locating or whether it was meter reading, and that kind of stuff, even collections, I enjoyed collections. It sounds stupid, but I did. It’s fun trying to read people, and meet them where they’re at.”

Tell us about yourself and your family:

“I was born in Kokomo. My dad was a Methodist pastor, so we moved around a lot as kids. In seventh grade, dad came here. Then, I started dating my high school sweetheart — who ended up being my wife. We’ve got five kids, and now I’ve got my fifth grandchild on the way. We got our five, so we get our basketball team, and now with five grandkids, we have another basketball team.”

What do you do with your time outside of the co-op? 

“Spend it with my wife and kids and grandkids. I like to travel, seeing different things. I love to garden — anything outdoors. We’ve got fruit trees and put out a pretty good-sized garden. And I love sports.”

What is a movie you can rewatch over and over?

“Hoosiers. Easy. Yeah, I’ve watched it hundreds of times, and it never gets old.”

What was the last book you read? 

“Um, it has to probably be the Bible. Book-wise, I enjoy studying history of wars and stuff like that, but it’s sports too. Other than the Bible, probably a book by Todd Gongwer called ‘Lead … for God’s Sake.’ That was a good book, dealing with sports but also leadership.”

What kind of music do you listen to?

“Tera (Andrews’ wife) helps lead worship music and praise team in our church, so I hear music all the time at home. She’s practicing. All the kids are musical. All of them can play the piano. My mom was a music teacher. My grandpa was a music professor in colleges. And the only thing I can play is the radio! But, I listen to everything.” 

What are you most proud of in your life?

“It’s got to be my family. And, I guess — I hate using proud because I don’t want to sound arrogant — not letting my stroke shut me down. (Andrews suffered a stroke in 2020.) It’s been tough. I heard a saying that I kind of like, ‘The same water that softens a potato, hardens an egg. It’s what you’re made of, not the circumstances.’ Nothing’s the same as it was before. So, I guess coming back from that, you know — it had nothing to do with me, it was all the Lord — but it’s the only reason I was able to come back so absolutely.”