Meet 2 PUD Customer Service Representatives
When you call Northern Wasco County Peoples Utility District (NWCPUD), you might hear Beckie Bloomdahl or Sandra Leal Cortes on the other end of the line. They’re 2 of the customer service representatives who field your calls, answer your questions, and help solve your utility challenges every day. These aren’t just voices in a call center—they’re your neighbors, each with her own unique journey and reasons for choosing to serve this community.
Beckie Bloomdahl: A New Chapter After 25 Years in Health Care
For Beckie, answering phones and helping customers with their utility accounts represents a complete career change— one she embraces wholeheartedly.
After spending more than 25 years in senior health care, working everything from direct patient care to managing assisted living and memory care facilities, Beckie found herself ready for something different when the pandemic hit.
“I decided I needed a change,” she says. “I wanted to work closer to home and work in the community I reside in.”
Born in Hood River and raised in Odell, Beckie has been a resident of The Dalles since 2001, when she moved here after meeting her husband, Gary. They’ve raised 3 children in this community, giving Beckie deep ties to the people she serves through her work at NWCPUD.
The transition from health care to utilities might seem dramatic, but Beckie found common ground in what drew her to both fields: helping people.
“I have always enjoyed helping people,” she says.
Beckie admits she was initially nervous about leaving health care after so many years, but the opportunity to learn something new appealed to her.
“I thought the power industry would be an interesting field and that I would like to learn more about NWCPUD,” she says. “I’ve really enjoyed learning more about the industry and being 1 of the point people to serve and assist our customers.”
Beckie says what she enjoys are the people—her co-workers and the customers.
“I have really enjoyed everyone I interact with,” she says. “Everyone is so nice and helpful. I have great customer service teammates—we all help each other and still have fun while doing it.”
When she’s not at work, Beckie and her husband love exploring the Pacific Northwest through camping and traveling. She’s also passionate about gardening, cooking, and reading.
Sandra Leal Cortes: From Full-Time Mom to Community Service
Sandra’s path to NWCPUD began with a simple desire for change after being a stay-at-home mom. Born in Zamora, Michoacán, Mexico, Sandra lived in Mosier for a few years before settling in The Dalles, where she’s been a resident for more than 16 years. During her time at home, she not only cared for her 3 daughters but also helped her husband, Jonatan Reyes, with his trucking business.
“After being home for 4 years, taking care of my 3 daughters, I was ready for a change,” Sandra says.
When a temporary position opened at NWCPUD, she saw it as a perfect opportunity.
“I thought it would be a great way to work with people in our community for a couple of months,” Sandra says.
But what started as a temporary assignment quickly became something more permanent.
“I was offered a full-time position, and I couldn’t say no,” Sandra says.
What convinced her to stay wasn’t just the job itself, but the environment.
“I have a great work environment and amazing co-workers,” Sandra says. “Everyone has been willing to teach me, even though I was brand-new to the utility world.”
Sandra also emphasizes relationships.
“I really enjoy the work environment and my teammates,” she says. “It feels like a second family.”
Outside of work, Sandra’s world still revolves around family. Her 3 daughters keep her busy, and she finds joy in cooking and experimenting with new recipes.
What They Do Every Day
As CSRs, Beckie and Sandra are often the first point of contact for customers. They handle billing questions, set up new accounts, process payments, and translate complex utility information into terms customers can understand. During power outages, they’re often the calm voice answering calls and keeping customers informed about restoration progress.
Both emphasize how much they’ve learned since joining NWCPUD. The utility industry has its own language and complexities that take time to master.
Beckie says her nervousness has transformed into confidence and expertise.
Sandra, coming from a different background, appreciates the support she’s received along the way.
The women have embraced this continual learning as part of what makes their jobs rewarding—every day brings new questions from customers and opportunities to help people better understand their utility service.
More Than Just a Job
When talking to Beckie and Sandra, what comes through clearly is that this isn’t just customer service—it’s neighbors helping neighbors. This personal approach reflects NWCPUD’s commitment to delivering exceptional service that goes beyond just keeping the lights on.
When customers call with a billing question or during a power outage, they’re not getting a script—they’re talking to someone who understands what it’s like to live here, raise kids here, and call this place home. For them, each interaction is an opportunity to demonstrate NWCPUD’s commitment to the community we all share.