How many of us can say that we’ve walked the same halls at work as our families? That we’ve followed in the footsteps of our loved ones, while paving our own career path? That we’ve found a company that feels like home, co-workers that feel like family?
There are many here at PSEG that can answer those questions with resounding “yes’s,” and we are proud to have them as part of our team.
We have a long history that has embedded the company into the fabric of New Jersey thanks to many generations of hard working, loyal employees who often stay for their entire career, decade after decade.
“120 years is a significant milestone for us, a testament to our current and former employees and the customers, neighbors and shareholders who have put their trust in us,” said Ralph LaRossa, PSEG chair, president and CEO. “Public service is not just in our name, it’s what we do. Since 1903 we have rolled up our sleeves to deliver safe, affordable and reliable services to homes and businesses across the region. We look forward to doing the same for the next 120 years.”
We like to give thanks to our employees, some of whose families have worked here for multiple generations, even as long as the company has been established. Here are just a few noteworthy generational families:
Biernacki family of West Deptford, New Jersey: Zigmund Biernacki, Jr. started his family’s multi-generational career with PSE&G in 1956 working for natural gas operations until he retired in 1998 as a machine operator. His son Zig Biernacki started in 1980 in Burlington Gas District and will retire at the end of 2023 as a senior distribution supervisor in gas asset management. Zig’s wife, Catherine Dandrow, worked at PSEG Nuclear in information technology from 1985 to 1995 and retired as a lead system analyst. Zig and Catherine’s children both also work for the utility. Their daughter Lauren Biernacki started in 2017 in Trenton Gas Operations and is now a staff engineer in electric and her brother Paul Biernacki started in 2022 as a mechanic operator for natural gas operations. Both Lauren and Paul were summer interns at PSE&G during college.
Iurato family of Hackensack, Paterson, Ridgewood and Wayne, New Jersey: John Iurato started four generations at PSE&G when he worked in gas operations from about 1920 to 1950 in Hackensack Gas District. His nephew, William Iurato, followed suit and also worked in Hackensack Gas from 1937 to 1979. His son, James Iurato, who worked from 1978 to 2018, started in Ridgewood Gas, followed by various gas union and supervisory roles. Allison Iurato, James’s daughter, began her career in 2014 and currently works in Business Customer Solutions.
Kayes family of Glen Ridge and East Orange, New Jersey: Four generations of Kayes started at PSE&G with Anthony Kayes, who worked as a Towerman and Transmission supervisor from 1937 to 1970. His son, William Kayes, started work as a lineman in 1965 and retired as a supervisor in 1998. William’s sons, Stephan Kayes, who is retired from the Palisades Division, and Michael Kayes, who is currently the managing director of Transmission and Substation Construction and Maintenance and who began his PSE&G career in 1990. Michael’s son, Brian, had the opportunity to intern for the company while working toward his Bachelor’s Degree in the summer of 2022.
Keller family of Burlington, Riverside & Mount Laurel, New Jersey: At the end of the Great Depression, Clarence G. Keller Sr. started four generations of Kellers at PSE&G working in electric underground distribution and then as an equipment operator from 1939 to 1974. His son, Clarence Keller Jr., was a natural gas distribution operations manager from 1964 to 2001. Clarence Keller Jr.’s son, Joseph Keller, began his career at PSE&G in 1990 and is a senior electric engineering technician and his son, Jonathan Keller, is an apprentice-engineering technician who joined the company in 2022.
Ledford family of Newark, New Jersey: Calvin Ledford (Great Grandfather) “unofficially” started the family’s connection to PSE&G in the 1920’s into the 30’s when he worked as a day laborer, digging by hand to fill in an extension of the Morris Canal, which is now known as Raymond Boulevard. His grandson – Calvin Ledford Sr. – met his wife, Elizabeth Ledford (maiden name was Hall), while they were working at PSE&G in the early 1960’s. Their son, Calvin Ledford Jr., started at PSE&G in 1983 as a meter reader and is the current President of the PSEG Foundation and Director of Corporate Social Responsibility. Their daughter, Kim Ledford Collier, is a service representative in the call center.
Przemelewski family of Newark and Burlington County, New Jersey: Five generations of Przemelewskis at PSE&G began with Szczepan (Stephan) Przemielewski who emigrated from Poland in 1906. The 1917 Military draft card listed him as working for PSE&G in maintenance at PSE&G’s trolley/bus company. His son, Adolph J. Przemelewski, worked as a machinist from 1939 to 1973. Adolph’s son Lenard Przemelewski Sr. was a service consultant from 1968 to 2010. Lenard Przemelewski Jr. joined PSE&G in 2000 and is a chief relay technician and his daughter, Marissa Przemelewski, joined in 2022 and is a customer service representative.
Smith Family of Hamilton, New Jersey: This family has four generations with a combined 120 years of service working for PSE&G. First was Jack C. Smith as a fitter service technician from 1924 to 1957. Then his son, John A. Smith (“John, Jack or Smitty”), worked as a mechanic and electric substation supervisor from 1948 to 1990. Then came John’s son, John A. Smith Jr., who worked for PSE&G in 1971 and 1979 to 2018 and retired as a principal engineer for natural gas operations. John’s daughter, Brielle L. Hamilton, started in 2017 and is a senior billing supervisor.
Trevelise family of Union City / Spagnuolo Family of Bellville and Rochelle Park, New Jersey: Four generations of PSE&G employees began with Giovanni (John) Trevelise who, after immigrating from Vasto, Italy, settled in Union City and worked as a welder installing trolley tracks from 1915 to 1950. His granddaughter married into the Spagnuolo family, whose family’s PSE&G career began with Fred P. Spagnuolo. Fred’s career from 1927 to 1950 began as a trolley car and bus driver and later became a supervisor in the bus division. Fred’s son, Robert P. Spagnuolo, was a generating station supervisor from 1960 to 1990, and Robert’s daughter, Lori Spagnuolo McElroy, began her career in 1983 and is a senior executive assistant.
Read more in our 2023 DEI Report about how we continue to cultivate equitable opportunities for our employees to grow and thrive.
My mother’s future step father worked for PSE&G as a collections representative. He went to my mother’s apartment to collect our turn off power. He felt bad for my grandmother who was single and raising five daughters. He didn’t turn off the power and ended up being friends and eventually marrying my grandmother. He helped my mother and aunt get jobs. My mother retired as a secretary in the Legal Department. After the army my father worked as a meter reader and retired as a senior clerk in the Northern Inquiry Center. I started my career in 1986 in the Palisades Storeroom and transferred into the Relay Group later that year.