At IPCO, our work is powered by people. This month, we’re celebrating our team members who have been with us for ten years or more. These are the individuals who have grown with us, led from within, and helped shape IPCO into the company it is today.
While we look to the future and continue building new projects and leaders, we also want to take a moment to honor the individuals who have made this place stronger by showing up, stepping up, and staying committed.
Stephanie Byrd: Steady, Supportive, and Always Learning
Stephanie Byrd has seen IPCO evolve from a tight-knit startup team to the growing, multifaceted company it is today. Starting part-time in 2015 and eventually transitioning into a full-time Controller role, Stephanie is now the go-to expert for all finance, billing, payroll, and administrative matters.
Stephanie is the quiet engine behind the scenes, ensuring everyone has what they need to do their jobs, from paychecks to clear explanations of our benefits. “People can lead by serving,” she says. “Me doing my job well and making sure the guys have what they need, that’s my leadership.”
Stephanie has grown with IPCO, increasing her knowledge in areas like compliance and taxes that once felt overwhelming. “I used to be afraid to ask for help or make a mistake,” she reflects. “Now I know I’m trusted, and I don’t take that lightly.” Her favorite moments at IPCO are watching others grow. “I’ve seen guys come in totally green, and now they’re leading jobs. That’s really exciting!”
Ben Trone: From Green Apprentice to Project Leader
Ben Trone’s story is a perfect example of what’s possible with grit, patience, and the right people around you. He started at IPCO in 2015 with no experience and no intention of working in an office role. What he found instead was a hands-on career path, a company willing to invest in him, and mentors who pushed him to grow.
Now a superintendent, Ben leads major electrical projects across the Upstate, many for long-standing clients like Greenville Water and SJWD. He’s known for tackling complex systems, such as MCCS (motor control centers), and completing the job without interrupting critical plant operations. But what he values most is the way IPCO challenges him. “Brian gives me the space to figure things out,” he says. “That kind of trust makes all the difference.”
Today, Ben is mentoring the next generation, passing along the technical skills and leadership mindset he learned from Donnie Gosnell, his mentor and one of IPCO’s most respected voices.
To read more about Ben’s time at IPCO, click here.
Remembering Donnie Gosnell
No celebration of our employees would be complete without remembering Donie Gosnell, IPCO’s Field Superintendent and Warehouse Manager, who passed away earlier this year. Donnie was one of IPCO’s earliest hires and played a significant role in shaping not just how we work, but how we treat each other.
He trained countless apprentices, including Ben, and was known for his technical knowledge, calmness under pressure, and dry sense of humor. Donnie had a way of making people feel capable, explaining something complex without ever making anyone feel small. He could hold the details of a warehouse layout in his head and tell a story that made you laugh, all in the same breath.
We miss him deeply. His legacy lives on in the field systems he helped build, the people he mentored, and the standard he set for showing up, solving problems, and caring about the work.
As IPCO continues to grow, we’re proud that our foundation is built on people like Stephanie, Ben, Donnie, and the rest of our team. Their stories are reminders that longevity is about showing up every day, growing, teaching, and leaving things better than you found them.
To the tenured team members who’ve given so much to IPCO over the years: Thank you! You’ve helped us build a company that makes us proud. Here’s to the next decade!
