Service recognized
Newcastle workers earn company’s highest honor
Two longtime Newcastle utility workers who have also served as volunteer fire chiefs have received Black Hills Energy’s highest employee honor, marking a first for the company.
Donny Munger and James Curren were among six employees selected for the 2026 CEO Summit Award from 135 nominations company wide. According to Black Hills Energy, this is the first time two employees from the same community holding the same type of job have received the award in the same year.
The annual award recognizes professional achievement, community service and commitment to company values.
According to Black Hills Energy Public Affairs Manager Wendy Morris, employees nominate their coworkers, and company leaders, including the CEO, review the nominations. Recipients are selected without regard to geographic location.
Munger retired Aug. 10 after 35 years with the company. Curren has worked for the utility since February 1998, moving to Newcastle in 2001.
Black Hills Corp. President and CEO Linn Evans gave both men the news of their selection during a call with company supervisors.
“I was surprised, humbled and honored,” Munger told the News Letter Journal. “The recognition means a great deal to me. Knowing that my coworkers nominated me made it even more special.”
Curren said he was humbled to receive recognition from his colleagues, particularly alongside other recipients whose accomplishments he admires.
For both men, their decades of service have extended far beyond maintaining natural gas infrastructure and helping customers with equipment problems.
Munger recalled one January when he discovered a cracked heat exchanger while working on an elderly couple’s furnace. Because the equipment was unsafe, he disconnected it, leaving the customers dependent on space heaters as temperatures hovered in the teens.
Rather than leave the situation unresolved, Munger obtained a replacement furnace the following day, a Friday, and worked through the weekend to restore their heat.
Curren, whose responsibilities include gas line maintenance, meters and appliance service, said the relationships he has developed with customers are his greatest source of pride.
“The thing I am most proud of is the relationships I have built with my customers and being able to help them in their time of need,” Curren said.
Both men have also devoted decades to volunteer fire fighting.
Munger followed his father, a Wheatland firefighter, into the fire service. Over 42 years with the Wheatland and Newcastle departments, he held numerous leadership positions, including 12 years as Newcastle fire chief. He also served as president of the Wyoming State Firemen’s Association and Wyoming Fire Chiefs Association.
Curren, who previously fought wildland fires and served with the Belle Fourche Fire Department, joined Newcastle’s department after getting acquainted with its members through Munger. He served five years as chief, along with terms as secretary, captain and assistant chief.
Their utility and fire-fighting experience sometimes intersected during emergencies.
Munger recalled responding to a structure fire where a vehicle had struck a gas meter, creating a leak that ignited. His utility training enabled him to shut off the gas safely so firefighters could extinguish the flames.
Curren recalled working alongside Munger during the Oil Creek fire, when firefighters helped stop the flames from spreading farther. He also serves on the Communications Joint Powers Board, where, according to Morris, he helped secure support for emergency communications initiatives.
The two men have also participated in the annual 307 Challenge, providing incoming high school freshmen with safety education about the dangers of drunken driving.
Beyond emergency response, both have mentored newer utility employees. Munger said he particularly enjoys helping others succeed and believes everyone has something to contribute.
“There’s no such thing as a dumb question, and if you have an idea or suggestion, share it,” Munger said.
After decades working and volunteering together, the men expressed admiration for each other’s dedication.
“The thing I admire about James is he is always willing to help—all you have to do is ask,” Munger said. “He does whatever it takes to get the job done and is there whenever a friend needs him.”
Curren likewise praised Munger’s dedication to Newcastle and the countless hours he has spent serving customers and volunteering in the community.
