Powering Change

This year, we’re celebrating 25 years of service with our Energy & Utilities Assistance Director Sylvia Schaeffer. Over the years, Sylvia has helped thousands of neighbors keep their homes warm, safe, and powered during challenging times. Her deep knowledge, steady leadership, and genuine care for our community have made a lasting impact, and we’re incredibly grateful to have her on the BMAC team.

Here’s a short snippet from our conversation with Sylvia—just a glimpse into her many years of Energy Assistance:

BMAC: When did you first get to BMAC and what was your title?

Sylvia: Oh, gosh. It was in the '80s, maybe ‘87, I think. I can't even remember, but I got hired as a receptionist. Actually, I was hired by Diana McFetridge (BMAC’s current Housing Program Specialist) who was head receptionist at the time.

BMAC: Really? That’s so cool! How long did you work at reception?

Sylvia: Not very long. It wasn't a year before I was asked to go into BMAC’s fiscal department as assistant to the CFO at the time. Then it wasn’t too long, probably about a year before a position opened in Energy and I applied.

BMAC: And what position in Energy did you fill?

Sylvia: Client Service Representative. I processed energy applications and helped clients. For the most part, it’s been the same process, but back then, we used microfiche film for client files. At the beginning of the month, we would get a stack of film from the state, maybe 100 slides, that had program information on it. So, to look up client or program information, we pulled their microfiche and put them in a projector to read. I’d completely forgotten about that. That filing system was something else, but we’ve come a long way since then.

BMAC: For sure! Woah, that sounds like quite the process. Other than updates in data sharing, have the Energy programs changed a lot or stayed relatively the same?

Sylvia: The Energy programs have basically stayed the same, like the Low-Income Bill Assistance (LIBA) program. It’s a bill discount program offered by Pacific Power & Light that helps lower future bills. Our energy/utility partners and the Department of Commerce have added a few programs here and there until funding is unavailable. This includes programs like Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) program, which helps pay current heating bills for all heating sources, and the State Home Energy Assistance Program (S-HEAP). That helps people replace unsafe heating/cooling systems in their homes with safer and energy-efficient tech that lowers their bills. And then for the past two years, there’s been the Cascade Arrearage Relief Energy Savings (CARES) program that helps with bill discounts and grants for past-due accounts to lower energy costs and help with arrears.

BMAC: That sounds like a lot to juggle. What drew you to this work in the first place?

Sylvia: You know, everybody asks me when they see my sign saying,“25 years at BMAC,” and I just tell them that I like my job. And I think it's the program itself, helping people with utilities and stuff, is just a needed thing. When I hear [client] stories and how thankful people are, it pushes me to make sure that we are helping the people that really need it and that we’re looking after the integrity of the program. I learned a lot working with Bob Castoldi – he was very, very precise, and by the book – and what he taught me has sustained me in the position I’m in now. Because of that, all the years I've been here, we’ve gotten good audit reports and I’m thankful. It's great to do my job, but it's also great to be in this building with people also working to help people.

BMAC: Oh absolutely. Having a good team makes all the difference. Out of curiosity, how many CEOs have you worked under?

Sylvia: I've worked under 5 CEOs, starting with Phyllis Pulfer, who is just an amazing woman who did so much for the community. And then the CEO was Steve Moss – he was just as good a leader as Phyllis was. A very intelligent, very nice man and very compassionate about the work we did at BMAC. Of course, I got to work with Kathy Covey. She was one of the best CEOs we’ve had. She wanted to help our community 100% and looked out for all of us. And now we have Danielle, and I'm so thankful. She's a go-getter.

BMAC: Drawing on your years of experience, what would be your advice to people that are new to this line of work?

Sylvia: You need to like what you're doing. I mean, yeah, you're making a difference, and that's great. But you need to like your job. If you feel like you're not being supported, then you need to speak up. The work is already hard, so you can't just pretend things are fine. Then you're not going to feel good about the work you're doing, and it will show. But, also, if things are going well, you also need to speak up about that, too – we are doing amazing work by helping our community members that are struggling with living needs.

BMAC: After your 25 years of service, why BMAC?

Sylvia: Well, with the high cost of everything these days and bills coming in at $500 or more to so many people on fixed or no income, I think BMAC is the place to get help. For 60 years we’ve helped people. But I think in 2025, with all the changes in government and policy, BMAC did what we were made to do: being boots on the ground, pivoting fast to assist people and making sure they have what they need to get through the hard times. I’m so thankful to be here and be part of that.