With STP’s spring Unit 2 refueling outage — 2RE17 — winding down, Lu De La Garza leans back in his chair and reflects on an STP career that has spanned more than three decades. “I am living proof that we can take just about anybody and turn them into a pretty good employee,” jokes De La Garza. “Before I came to STP, I had no background in nuclear. Everything I learned about nuclear, I learned at STP. It’s been a great ride and a pleasure to have been part of a team that is second to none.”

De La Garza’s humble and understated perspective is the epitome of what makes STP great. It’s the quality and character of the people like De La Garza. Hired as an operator apprentice in September, 1984, De La Garza is part of a group of locally hired employees who have helped build STP from the ground up. Through a strong work ethic, resolve and positive attitude, he has amassed an impressive list of career accomplishments – both at STP and in the local community.

“I saw an ad in the local paper that said Houston Lighting & Power was looking for plant operators,” said De La Garza, who retired in May after nearly 31 years with the company. “It was a rigorous hiring process. It took nine months to get hired in. When I came to STP, there was no Nuclear Support Center and Unit 2 was nothing but rebar. Looking back I am grateful for the opportunity at STP but, more importantly, for the friends I’ve made and the memories that I will take with me.”

Ironically, his career at STP almost ended before it got started. “Lu almost got us all fired my first week on the job,” jokes Louis Peter, General Manager Projects, who hired in with De La Garza as an operator apprentice. “Operations Manager Dick Balcom wanted his company car washed and Lu knew where the onsite car wash was. So with nothing better to do, five of us piled in the car. Lu wanted to give us a tour of the site. Off we went in the Crown Victoria, mud-hogging through the west side laydown yards. Lu had a great time showing us his “Dukes of Hazards” driving skills.

“After about an hour, we went to the car wash and cleaned the mud covered car. When we got back to the Operation’s building, and Dick Balcom was waiting at the door. He was furious at his new apprentices. What we didn’t realize is that he was on his way to a meeting at HL&P corporate headquarters in Houston and we had made him late.”

Born and raised in Port Lavaca, De La Garza joined STP as an operator apprentice. He was named a Plant Operator in September 1987 and was promoted to Head Operator in October 1990. De La Garza earned his Reactor Operator license in October 1993, completing the then 15-month NRC training program. He was a member of License Operator Class 6 at STP. Throughout his career at STP, he advanced through positions of increasing responsibility.

In August, 1998, he was named Unit Supervisor. De La Garza earned his Senior Reactor Operator license in September 1999. De La Garza has been a part of all 35 outages in the site’s history. He has worked through countless issues and challenges, and has been able to take his experiences and knowledge and pass it on. While advancing through the ranks at STP, he also found the time to earn his bachelor’s degree in nuclear technology in 1999.

“Because of my degree and experience at STP, I was able to teach nuclear fundamentals at Victoria College,” said De La Garza. “I am proud of the fact that several of my students are now working at STP.”

Throughout his career at STP, he has been active in the local community. De La Garza was a charter member of Habitat for Humanity and helped build the first five homes in the Port Lavaca area. The experience provided him with an opportunity to learn about building and maintaining properties and also real estate. He is also currently serving as an assistant scout master and an Eagle Scout coach, and has served on the YMCA board for the past 12 years.

“STP allowed me the time and ability to give back to the local community,” said De La Garza.

He and his wife Pam have been married for 27 years and still call Port Lavaca home. They have five sons, ranging in age from 21 to 35. He and Pam have 10 grandchildren and will be able to spend more time travelling from Beeville to Dallas to spend with them. But at 55, De La Garza isn’t about to slow down. Last November, he completed his first marathon in San Antonio and plans to do the 150-mile MS Bike Ride in 2016.

His immediate retirement plans are to work on the 53-unit apartment complex that he owns in Port Lavaca. He learned the art of painting, sheet rocking and flooring while volunteering through Habitat for Humanity. He enjoys putting those skills to work, doing the maintenance on his units. “My dad owned his own business and I always wanted to be like him,” said De La Garza.

When asked what he will miss the most about STP, De La Garza paused and said…”I’ll miss the people. I enjoyed the challenges of the job, but I will really miss working as a team and being around a lot of very smart people. STP is a great company and it was an honor to be a part of the team.”