(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College Wind Energy Technology alumni Eric Ramirez and Rene Lopez normally spend their days working the wind turbines at Duke Energy in Lyford, but on Thursday they were found working the barbeque grills at the Harlingen Boys and Girls Club.

“I used to spend my summers playing video games and basketball at my hometown Boys and Girls Club in Raymondville,” Ramirez reminisced. “It’s a great place for the kids, and I feel it’s my duty to give back to the place where I grew up.”

Lopez added, “It feels great giving back to the community where I was raised. We’re here to help in any way we can, big or small.”

Both men and a team of their colleagues chopped brisket cooked by Harlingen firemen; packaged trimmings of onions, jalapenos and pickles; and put together plates with brisket, rice, beans and bread for the fundraiser, which was hosted by the United Way of Northern Cameron County. Proceeds benefited 14 nonprofit partnerships, including the local Boys and Girls Club.

“We are so excited to have them here and have Duke Energy as a United Way partner,” said Jessica Belschner, United Way executive director. “They are doing a wonderful job.”

Ramirez and Lopez graduated with certificates in Wind Energy Technology in 2012. Both wind energy technicians have worked with Duke for nearly four years.

The men have had several opportunities to volunteer in the communities where they grew up since graduating from TSTC and joining the Duke Energy family.

“Without TSTC I wouldn’t be where I am today,” said Lopez, a Sebastian native. “Studying wind energy was never the plan, but I’m glad it worked out the way it did.”

Lopez said that initially he was at TSTC only to finish his basics while he worked at a local roofing company, but when he was introduced to the wind energy program, he was compelled to enroll in it.

“TSTC gave me the opportunity to learn and try new things and to kick-start my career,” said Lopez. “I haven’t been without a good-paying job since then.”

Lopez also holds a Federal Aviation Administration license to be a drone pilot for Duke Energy. He has already assisted in many projects, including hurricane relief efforts in Florida after Hurricane Irma.

As for Ramirez, TSTC’s Wind Energy Technology was a career change and a second chance at a better life.

Ramirez said he worked for many years in trucking, and when he began to see wind farms pop up across the Valley, he knew that was where he was supposed to be.

Immediately after graduating, Ramirez worked for a year and a half with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Sarita before making the move to Duke Energy.

“TSTC was a great experience for me. It provided me with the foundation I needed to enter a field with many job and growth opportunities,” said Ramirez. “It is definitely because of TSTC that I have been able to find great jobs.”

Duke Energy Area Planner for Wind Operations Sotero Regalado is also a TSTC alumnus and is Ramirez and Lopez’s supervisor.

Regalado, who earned his certificate in Wind Energy Technology in 2011, said Ramirez and Lopez are two of the best technicians he has in the field.

“Both men are top-notch. They instill safety in our overall culture at Duke and are great team players,” said Regalado. “There is no doubt that the success they have found with us is because of the training they received at TSTC, (and) their hard work and motivation.”

May is Duke Energy in Action Month for the company, but Regalado said he hopes to continue volunteer efforts throughout the year, especially after seeing how excited Ramirez, Lopez and their team were to help out, and he hopes that they can also mentor or assist other Wind Energy Technology students from TSTC.

For more information on Wind Energy Technology, visit tstc.edu.