July 08, 2022
Station Manager Scott Welker Earns Hall of Fame Honors for Officiating
For Scott Welker, manager, TFS Station (East), teamwork has built the foundation of his life. He has worked on teams throughout his professional career at AEP, and in his local community, was recently honored for giving back. Welker was inducted into the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Officials Hall of Fame for his 33 years of service as a high school official in Muskingum Valley.
It is no coincidence that his career at AEP, also 33 years, matches his officiating tenure. Welker said the two go hand-in-hand.
"I just want to give a shout-out to everyone at AEP, especially my Transmission family, who have been supportive of my officiating career outside of work. There may have been times I was officiating a game, and my team covered me. I always made it up and worked to make it up to them, but I could not have achieved this without everyone who has supported me from inside AEP all along," said Welker.
He added that without support from colleagues, friends and his family, especially his wife Erin, this would not have been possible. Maybe it's true, for some, that you get what you give. "I believe in being loyal to people and being loyal to your team," said Welker. The people around him share a mutual admiration for his character and his efforts.
Jeanne Sherry, vice president, TFS East, has worked with Welker many years. “Scott enjoys helping others. He was there for me on my first day as a leader in Zanesville, and over the years, I have watched him find opportunities at work, at home, and in the community to put himself in a position of service. Those situations are what makes Scott shine from the inside. He really understands how sports provide young players life lessons in a controlled environment. What a powerful impact that has on our youth. I am so proud to be Scott’s friend and colleague,” said Sherry.
Welker has served as a long-time member of the Tri-Valley Board of Education. Since 2003, he has been the Muskingum Valley League commissioner, serving within that role as member schools' coaches, officials and administrators. Welker says that he loves officiating and only wishes he had a better way to recruit new officials.
"I'm a huge believer in giving back to your local community. I really believe that for those who can give back, if we all did it, the volunteerism would really make improvements. We could make things better in all the different, unique areas where we can share knowledge and give back," said Welker.
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