Backlin Medrano joined Citizens Energy Group in 2014 as an Auxiliary LNG Operator and today is a Plant Operator for Chilled Water. “One thing I enjoy about my job is the constant change—from the weather to the changing demands of our customers. It’s great keeping our customers satisfied with their cooling needs and knowing we are able to provide a solid service,” he shared. This year, Backlin won our drawing to throw out the first pitch at an Indianapolis Indians game during our annual Employee Summer Celebration.
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Photo w caption: Weather may have delayed the game, but that didn’t stop Backlin from returning to Victory Field to throw out that first pitch he had been practicing for!
Backlin’s résumé also includes something you won’t see often in a Q&A: He was previously a professional boxer. Getting his start around 8 years old with his three older brothers, Backlin grew up boxing. He went on to box for the Navy and turned pro a year after he left, training under Christy Martin, former professional boxer and female super welterweight champion in 2009. His accolades include a gold medal in the Armed Forces Boxing Championships and four-time Indiana State Golden Gloves champion.
Photo w caption: In the ring, Backlin was known as “Alacransito”—Little Scorpion.
Backlin has touched lives in unique and long-lasting ways. In Lafayette, he met Melissa Ramirez, a young woman involved with gangs and fighting on the streets. He saw the anger inside her and helped her focus it by sparring at his gym. In 2002, she was named Indiana’s Outstanding Female Fighter in the Golden Gloves. Melissa went on to have twins—Linda and Kilian. Linda was born with spina bifida and paralyzed in both legs. Despite her health challenges, Linda told her mother she wanted to box, too. In 2017, she fought her first bout and won. It was a chain of events that may not have happened had Backlin not recognized a young woman in need of an outlet.
Citizens’ reputation in the community helped attract Backlin. He shared, “What attracted me to Citizens was the opportunity to work for a great company with such a good reputation, and the location worked out well, too!”
