Co-op Leaders Focus on Energizing Every Moment During Annual Event in Nashville 

NASHVILLE – More than 350 electric cooperative leaders from across the state attended the 83rd annual meeting of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, on Sunday, Nov. 17, through Tuesday, Nov. 19, in Nashville.

Attendees learned about new developments in energy, policy, economic development, employee retention, workplace safety and more. Futurist Peter Leyden, former editor of Wired Magazine, provided a glimpse into the future as he discussed the intersection of artificial intelligence and energy. Congressman John Rose and his wife Chelsea discussed balancing life serving in public office while raising a family. Attendees of the two-day event were also able to participate in breakout sessions to dive deeper into topics like the history of electric cooperatives and the future of broadband.

The program concluded with an inspiring message from Tony Vitello, head coach of the University of Tennessee baseball team which won the national championship earlier this year. Coach Vitello was presented with the “True Tennessean” award by The Tennessee Magazine in recognition of his unique contributions to Tennessee and embodiment of the Volunteer spirit.

“The annual meeting allows leaders to learn more about topics important to Tennessee,” said Mike Knotts, CEO of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. “This is a complex industry, and it is critical that co-op leaders be informed and updated on trends and new developments that will impact their communities and their co-ops.”

Elections were held for three positions on the association’s board of trustees. Ron Weir, a director for Forked Deer Electric Cooperative in Halls; Chris Davis, general manager of Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation in Clarksville; and Vicki Davidson, a director for Mountain Electric Cooperative in Mountain City, were elected to four-year terms.

Dan Rodamaker, president and CEO of Gibson Electric Membership Corporation in Trenton, was elected to serve as chairman of the association’s board of trustees for another year. Vice President John Bowers, president of Pickwick Electric Cooperative in Selmer, and Secretary/Treasurer Dana Salters, director for Duck River Electric Membership Corporation, were each reappointed to their positions as well.

“I am grateful for the time our executive committee and directors give to the association,” says Knotts. “Tennessee’s co-ops benefit from their service and leadership.”

TECA recognized excellence in communication efforts during the annual TopTenn Communications Awards ceremony. Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative received an award for Best External Newsletter or Magazine Section; Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative, Best Internal Newsletter; Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation, Best Website; Gibson Electric Membership Corporation, Best Use of Social Media; Middle Tennessee Electric, Best Video; Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative, Best Photo; Gibson Electric Membership Corporation, Best Annual Report; Gibson Electric Membership Corporation and Middle Tennessee Electric received awards in the Wild Card category.

“Successful co-ops understand the importance of building connections with members,” says Trent Scott, TECA’s vice president of communications. “Congratulations to these winners for sharing the electric cooperative story in a professional, compelling way.”

Electric cooperatives serve more than three million consumers and 72 percent of Tennessee. The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association provides leadership, advocacy and support for the association’s 25 electric cooperatives and publishes The Tennessee Magazine, the state’s most widely circulated periodical. Visit tnelectric.org or tnmagazine.org to learn more. 

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Knotts addresses TVA board

Murray, KY – Today the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors held a public listening session at the Curris Center at Murray State University. Mike Knotts, CEO of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, addressed the board during the listening session, and a readout of his comments is below.

Curris Center at Murray State University | Murray, KY | 2:00 p.m. CST

 

Good afternoon. My name is Mike Knotts, and I serve as the CEO of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association.  Thank you for allowing this opportunity for stakeholders that your decisions impact to communicate directly with you. It is always a pleasure to see each of you and listen to the diversity of thought and opinion that surrounds your work.  

Sharing information with customers about TVA’s successes and shortcomings is important, and I believe that good communication starts with the policies considered and implemented by this board. 

I appear today on behalf of 25 distribution utilities who rely upon TVA to supply all of their wholesale energy. TECA’s members own and operate over $6B worth of assets. Their power bills make up nearly 25% of TVA’s revenues – almost $3 billion per year. In most cases, that wholesale power bill constitutes between 70-80% of the cooperative’s total revenue. 

Cooperatives are private sector, not for profit companies. I believe it is a good reminder that while electric co-ops share in TVA’s mission of the “three E’s” – we differ from municipal utilities, and TVA itself, in that we are not units of government. Co-ops are owned by their consumer-members. Therefore, our policies are set by independent Boards of Directors who are elected by the company’s members – not by City Councils or political figures. 

Because of this governance structure, co-op boards understand the importance of transparency and communication.  

Since 1958, Tennessee’s electric cooperatives have published The Tennessee Magazine. More than a newsletter from the power company, The Tennessee Magazine honors the extraordinary nature of everyday life across Tennessee. It is a staple of coffee tables from Memphis to Mountain City and greets visitors to the offices of our Members of Congress in Washington, DC. 

Let me share two statistics that may surprise you. First, the reach of The Tennessee Magazine surpasses almost any other Tennessee media outlet. If I asked you to compare the Nashville Tennessean to The Tennessee Magazine, which would reach more people? What if I asked you to compare the top 10 newspapers across the state? 

Well, the answer may shock you. The top ten newspapers across Tennessee have a combined circulation of 208,000 copies. Next month, The Tennessee Magazine will reach over 800,000 homes and businesses. That’s 2.5 million of your friends and neighbors.  

Second, our in-depth market research has provided some extraordinary findings. Even though other types of print media are collapsing, 84% of those 2.5 million people have read three of the last four editions. That’s remarkable. In today’s world of fake news and cynical attitudes toward all types of media, we learned that 97% of readers trust what they read in The Tennessee Magazine. That’s not just remarkable. That is incredible. 

Trust. It is not something you buy, and it isn’t created overnight. The Tennessee Magazine is just one way that co-ops work to be transparent and earn the trust of the people we serve. This trust has been built by decades of selfless service by hardworking men and women, and electric cooperatives today are dedicated to always being worthy of that trust. 

As we work together to power our communities and energize every moment, electric cooperatives hope that you will join us as we earn the trust of the people who rely on us. 

Thank you. 

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A Day of Serving Those Who Served

Electric co-op employees across the state devoted their time and effort to various service projects to make the eighth annual Tennessee Electric Co-op Day of Service a success, with two co-ops focusing their efforts on serving those who have served. Both Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation and Forked Deer Electric Cooperative used the day to honor and serve veterans in their communities.

Forty employees from Cumberland EMC and 10 employees from TVA volunteered at YAIPak, a nonprofit organization in Clarksville. Their mission is to meet the needs of those who are neglected, hurting or affected where they are by providing support, comfort and resources. The 50 volunteers spent the morning at the organization’s warehouse sorting donated items to prepare a shipment of supplies for east Tennessee flood victims from the recent hurricanes. They also delivered furniture and other household goods to a newly housed veteran.

“My goal each year when choosing a service project for the Cooperative Day of Service is to find something that is meaningful and will leave a lasting impression on our employees,” Susie Yonkers, Cumberland EMC community relations coordinator and coordinator of the day of service event, says.

Thirty employees from Forked Deer EC chose to assemble gratitude packs for local veterans. Each pack included small, useful items as well as a meaningful message inside showing the co-op’s appreciation for their service.

“Being able to give back to those who have served our country is truly special to us,” Anna Grissom, Forked Deer EC’s project coordinator, says. “This project is a small but heartfelt way we can show our appreciation, and it reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the communities we’re a part of.”

The gratitude packs will be donated to the local Veterans Affairs and distributed throughout the month in honor of Veterans Day.

31 separate community service projects were completed with 630 co-op employees volunteering approximately 1,300 hours to their communities on October 17, 2024. Since the inception of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Day of Service, 210 projects have been completed with the help of 4,164 volunteers who have collectively contributed 10,000 hours of service to their communities.

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ERMCO to Expand in Dyersburg

The Electric Research Manufacturing Cooperative Inc. (ERMCO) is expanding in West Tennessee.

The project aims to boost transformer manufacturing capacity at the Dyersburg plant through three separate phases which will create 400 new jobs. It’s an effort to help the nation – including Tennessee’s electric co-ops – meet critical infrastructure needs while bringing new jobs to the region. The plan is supported by $54.1 million in tax credit financing from five lenders and will include the establishment of an employee training center.

“Electric cooperatives across the state depend on a steady supply of transformers and other equipment to maintain the electric grid,” Mike Knotts, CEO of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, said. “ERMCO’s announcement is exciting not only for improved supply chain, but also for the economic development and growth of the region.”

It is a sentiment shared by the team at ERMCO as well. “We’re helping to ensure a reliable and resilient electrical grid,” Adam Kruzich, the company’s CFO, said in a statement. “We’re proud to contribute to the economic growth of Dyersburg and play a vital role in building a sustainable energy future for the United States.”

ERMCO’s initiative is part of a growing trend, with multiple industrial players investing to address a power sector in need of more transformers. ERMCO is part of Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Inc. and is North America’s largest manufacturer of oil-filled distribution transformers. The company currently employs around 2,000 people, produces more than 9,500 transformers per week and has been in business in West Tennessee for more than 50 years.

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What’s New About the 83rd TECA Annual Meeting?

The 2024 Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s annual meeting is quickly approaching, and a lot of “new” is in store. The 83rd annual event will consist of new dates, a new location and of course, all new speakers and content.

“We are excited about this year’s annual meeting, which will take place at a brand-new location on a new week,” said Trent Scott, TECA vice president of communications. “We believe this will be time well spent for co-op employees and directors alike.”

This year the meeting will take place on Sunday, Nov. 17, through Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs. With a different time and place comes a new agenda, too.

The event will kick off with a welcome reception presented by The Tennessee Magazine on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. During the reception, the magazine staff will unveil an all new design for the publication that will appear in mailboxes in 2025.

Monday and Tuesday will be full of engaging sessions, breakouts and speakers. Highlights Monday include an update from NRECA president Tony Anderson and vice president – Tennessee’s own – Mike Partin. Futurist Peter Leyden discusses the intersection of artificial intelligence and energy and Congressman John Rose and wife Chelsea share the real-world challenges of serving in public office while also raising children. Monday afternoon, TVA CEO Jeff Lyash will take the stage followed by breakout sessions on the relevance of electric cooperatives, the future of broadband and an update on the Tennessee Power Distribution Company. Monday is capped off with something new – the Grand Reception. It will be a time to enjoy food and entertainment while networking with colleagues from across the state.

Tuesday begins with the PAC breakfast where D.C. pollster John Rogers will break down the results of the 2024 election. The program concludes with our very special guest Tony Vitello, head coach of the University of Tennessee Volunteers baseball team, who brought the National Championship home to Tennessee earlier this year.

“There are lots of reasons to be excited about this year’s program,” Scott says. “Attendees can look forward to engaging sessions, insightful discussions and a chance to connect with peers and experts alike.”

This year’s complete agenda is available online.

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BJ Bernard to join TECA team as vice president of member services

B J Bernard

The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association is pleased to announce that BJ Bernard will join the team as vice president of member services. Bernard will assume his new duties in conjunction with the TECA Annual Meeting in November, bringing with him more than 25 years of utility operations experience.

Todd Blocker, who currently serves in this position, recently announced his plans to retire after more than 13 years at the association.

Bernard has an extensive background in utility operations, having served in operational and management roles at multiple utilities. He began his career as an engineering technician at an electric cooperative in Louisiana before coming to Dickson Electric System where he spent 12 years. He joined the staff of Duck River Electric Membership Corporation in 2018 to oversee the co-op’s IT systems, eventually becoming director of broadband deployment. He currently serves as director of technology alignment for Seven States Power Corporation. Bernard holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Austin Peay State University.

The vice president of member services role at TECA provides senior leadership for several of the association’s core functions, including mutual aid coordination and youth programs – a unique combination. “BJ’s deep background in utility operations combined with his experience and passion for helping young people make him uniquely suited for this position,” said Mike Knotts, CEO of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. “We are excited to welcome him to our team and look forward to the positive impact he will have on our members and programs.”

“I am thrilled to join the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association as vice president of member services,” said Bernard. “Tennessee’s electric co-ops have an incredible reputation for service and dedication, and I look forward to helping co-ops serve their communities well.”

Bernard, his wife Heather and their four children make their home in Chapel Hill.

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Thirty-one projects completed during Tennessee Electric Co-op Day of Service

NASHVILLE –Electric co-op employees from across the state got their hands dirty and brows sweaty today during the eighth Tennessee Electric Co-op Day of Service event. Thirty-one separate community service projects were completed with 630 electric co-op employees volunteering approximately 1,300 hours to their communities.

“We are incredibly grateful to all the volunteers who dedicated their time and effort to make this year’s Tennessee Electric Co-op Day of Service a success,” said Trent Scott, vice president of communications for the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association and coordinator of the Day of Service event. “Your commitment to serving our communities exemplifies the spirit of cooperation and community support that electric co-ops stand for.”

This year’s projects included food and clothing drives, building a playground and cleaning up storm damage.

“Electric cooperatives have a unique relationship with the communities they serve. Unlike other utilities, co-ops are owned by the people they serve, which means we are deeply invested in the well-being and prosperity of our local areas. The people of Tennessee’s electric co-ops are committed to not just providing reliable electricity, but also to enhancing the quality of life for their neighbors. Their passion for making a positive impact is contagious.”

Sponsors of the 2024 Day of Service were TVA, Bass, Berry and Sims, Central Service Association, Ervin Cable Construction, Silicon Ranch, Tennessee 811 and The Tennessee Magazine.

Since its inception, the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Day of Service has made a significant impact across the state. Over the past eight years, the program has completed 210 projects with the help of 4,164 volunteers who have collectively contributed 10,000 hours of service. These efforts have not only improved local communities but also strengthened the bond between electric cooperatives and the people they serve.

Co-ops participating in the 2024 Day of Service and the projects they completed:

  • Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation – Helped YAIPAK in Clarksville assist a veteran moving into permanent housing and organize warehouse
  • Fayetteville Public Utilities – Assembled beds for Sleep in Heavenly Peace
  • Forked Deer Electric Cooperative – Assembled Veteran Appreciation Bags
  • Gibson Electric Co-ops – Decorated Rutherford elementary and middle school teachers lounges
  • Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative  – Hosted American Red Cross blood drive and completed litter pickup project and food drives
  • Middle Tennessee Electric – Constructed wheelchair ramps in the Hard Bargain neighborhood, provided a community tailgate event at a high school football game, participated in a touch-a-truck event in Murfreesboro and a STEM Festival and provided lunch for teachers
  • Pickwick Electric Cooperative – Assembled and delivered bags for nursing home patients
  • Powell Valley Electric Cooperative – Hosted first responder luncheons
  • Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative – Built beds for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, assisted RAM setup a mobile clinic in Marion County and cleaned up a cemetery
  • Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation – Coordinated supply drives for Carl Perkins Centers in Chester, Haywood, Madison and Tipton counties
  • Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association – Assisted with setup for the NAIA Tennessee Pow Wow
  • Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation – Decorated the Smith County sign, served meals  and conducted a supply drive for the Cookeville Rescue Mission, revitalized landscaping at Jackson Co. Middle and High schools and assisted with a recreation center cleanup in Rickman
  • Volunteer Energy Cooperative – Donated supplies to The Caring Place, Meigs Ministries and teddy bears to the Highway 58 Fire Department
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Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts

Hurricane Helene made landfall along the Florida Gulf Coast on Thursday, Sept. 26. With winds reaching 140 miles per hour late that evening, the damage was catastrophic. The storm continued north weakening to a post tropical cyclone over Tennessee the next day, stalling over the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina and dumping upwards of 30 inches of rain on some communities. The storm created severe flooding, hundreds of fatalities and billions of dollars in property damage across Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Despite the extensive damage created by Hurricane Helene, electric co-ops are doing what they do best – helping their own.

“Tennessee co-ops are rolling up their sleeves and helping when it’s needed most, both with our own here in the state and with sister co-ops in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina,” said Mike Knotts, CEO of TECA. “We could not be more proud of the lineworkers who are making this happen.”

Some of the hardest hit co-ops in the Volunteer State were Powell Valley Electric Cooperative in New Tazewell and Mountain Electric Cooperative in Mountain City.

Powell Valley Electric Cooperative had 735 individual outages following the storm, 95 broken poles and more than 11,000 consumers without power, but with the help of the co-op family, all power has been restored. The co-op received mutual aid from co-ops, contractors and tree trimmers.

“Fortunately, nearly 40 linemen from our sister cooperatives in Virginia—Northern Neck, NOVEC, Choptank, and Mecklenburg—answered the call, working alongside our crews to restore service. The coordinated efforts between the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association and the Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives were key in quickly finding help for us, ensuring that we received the necessary support to speed up the restoration process,” said Brad Coppock, PVEC’s general manager. “The principle of cooperation among cooperatives truly shines during times like these, and PVEC is deeply grateful for the assistance from both TECA and our fellow co-ops in Virginia and Maryland.”

Reconstruction efforts continue into the second week at Mountain Electric Cooperative. After the storm, 25,000 consumers–well over half of the co-op’s system–were without power.

“Hurricane Helene impacted Mountain Electric Cooperative with severe damage to our electrical grid,” said Rodney Metcalf, general manager of MEC. “There were thousands of trees, poles and electrical lines damaged. The grid in several areas will need to be completely rebuilt. Many of our employees have sustained damage to their own homes and are unable to do any repairs because they are working to serve others in the community above themselves. Please keep our community and our employees in your prayers for safety.”

MEC’s outage numbers are down to around 2,000, and lineworkers from MEC, joined by crews from Tennessee Valley Electric Cooperative and Fayetteville Public Utilities, continue working 15 hour days to assist those in need. With the help of its community, FPU was able to send nearly 75,000 pounds of supplies to those impacted by the hurricane and plan to send another load in the coming days.

“TECA is always ready to answer the call for mutual aid,” said Todd Blocker, TECA’s vice president of member services and coordinator for mutual aid in the state. “Hurricane Helene certainly caused devastation and destruction for some of Tennessee’s electric cooperatives, but it has been encouraging to see other co-ops from across the state rush to assist.”

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TECA hosts Inaugural IT and Cybersecurity Workshop

The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association hosted its first IT and Cybersecurity Workshop on Thursday, Sept. 12. With the help of the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, 15 electric cooperatives were able to learn about information technology and cybersecurity from industry-leading experts and one another.

“With the ever growing needs our co-ops face today, we knew this information and this type of workshop was needed,” said Tina Smith, executive assistant for TECA. “We are thrilled it all came together like it did and that we had so many of our members join us at this inaugural event.”

Attendees heard from TVA’s cybersecurity team about their cybersecurity measures as well as from TVA’s director of foundational systems on how to build a utility grade network. CISA’s cybersecurity supervisor shared tips on how to prevent cyberattacks and hacks. Ryan King, TECA’s vice president of government affairs, also provided an update on recent legislation designed to protect electric co-ops.

“I found TECA’s IT and Cybersecurity Workshop in Nashville very relevant to what is going on today in our industry,” said Jeffrey Gunter, Holston Electric Cooperative’s director of network administration and network engineering.

The day concluded with a roundtable discussion where participants were able to share tips and tricks for what has worked for them in the cybersecurity world. Most importantly, 27 cooperative professionals were able to ask each other questions.

“The Q&A session at the end was awesome to hear what others in the valley are doing to combat cyber threats and keep their networks safe.  In-person information and experience sharing is so valuable to co-ops,” Gunter said.

“We already have some ideas in the works for the next workshop and hope more co-ops are able to join us for that event,” Smith said.

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Research Highlights The Tennessee Magazine’s Status as an Effective, Trusted Source for Co-op Information

Earlier this year several electric co-ops volunteered to participate in a readership study of The Tennessee Magazine. Preliminary results are in, and the findings show high levels of readership, trust and appreciation for the publication.

MRI Simmons, a leading provider of consumer profiling, media planning and activation tools, surveyed members of eight electric co-ops in Tennessee, and more than 6,300 co-op members took the time to respond to the study. Given the high number of responses, the study provided the team with highly accurate data, including a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error of just 1%.

“This new research data validates what we already knew in our hearts – that co-op members not only read, but trust what they read in The Tennessee Magazine,” Mike Knotts, TECA’s CEO, says. “With a delivered cost less than the price of a stamp, I can say with confidence that there is no better, more effective and more appreciated tool available to communicate with electric co-op members in Tennessee.”

Key Findings

The research shows the magazine is widely read and that readers invest significant time with each issue.

  • 80% of participants read three out of the last four issues.
  • 66% of participants read four out of the last four issues.
  • 51% of participants spend more than 30 minutes reading each issue.

The research reveals a preference for print among The Tennessee Magazine audience.

  • When asked how respondents prefer to receive information from their electric co-op, The Tennessee Magazine was the most commonly selected choice. Other options included email, bill inserts, social media and websites.
  • 9 out of 10 respondents prefer to continue receiving the magazine in the printed format.

The research found high levels of trust in The Tennessee Magazine at a time when trust in the media is at an all-time low.

  • 96% of participants responded that they trust what they read in the magazine and feel that The Tennessee Magazine is a name they can trust.

The research shows that The Tennessee Magazine helps electric co-ops build affinity among their members.

  • 96% of readers know that the magazine is provided by their local electric co-op.
  • 9 out of 10 readers feel that the magazine helps them better appreciate their electric co-op.

“The Tennessee Magazine is a high quality publication that provides an affordable way for local electric cooperatives to communicate important information to our member-owners,” said Dan Rodamaker, president and CEO of Gibson Electric Membership Corporation and TECA board president. “The pages that surround our section include beautiful photography and interesting stories about people and places in our state.”

The Tennessee Magazine team also questioned readers about the content that appears in the magazine. “Stories about Tennessee places” ranked number one, followed by “Tennessee history”, “food/recipes” and “stories about Tennessee people”.

“We are thankful for everyone who took the time to participate in this study,” Chris Kirk, editor of The Tennessee Magazine, says. “This research and data help us better understand what our readers want to know and read, and ultimately it will help shape the content that appears in the magazine each month. We are focused on making the magazine the most effective communications tool for electric co-ops, and the findings of this research are very encouraging.”

 

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More than 185 Tennessee lineworkers answer the call for assistance following Hurricane Helene

NASHVILLE – Power restoration efforts are still underway today as communities across East Tennessee work to recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene. Heavy rain and strong winds left nearly 100,000 electric co-op consumers without power on Friday morning. Crews worked through the weekend to restore power to many of those impacted, but some 900 electric co-op members across eastern Tennessee remain without power today.  

“At TECA we are always ready to answer the call for mutual aid,” said Todd Blocker, vice president of member services for the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association and coordinator of electric co-op mutual aid efforts in the state. “18 of Tennessee’s electric cooperatives have answered the call for mutual aid assistance. Two of the seven cooperative principles that are the cornerstones of electric cooperatives throughout the country are ‘concern for community’ and ‘cooperation among cooperatives.’ Our members take pride in helping other communities in getting the power back on as safely and quickly as possible.” 

The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association has continued to coordinate assistance from Tennessee cooperatives. 

Assisting cooperatives in Tennessee are: 

  • Eight lineworkers from Fayetteville Public Utilities and eight lineworkers from Tennessee Valley Electric Cooperative are assisting Mountain Electric Cooperative in Mountain City 
  • 20 lineworkers from Middle Tennessee Electric are assisting Appalachian Electric Cooperative in New Market 
  • 18 lineworkers from Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, 10 from Duck River Electric Membership Corporation, 4 from Forked Deer Electric Cooperative, 10 from Pickwick Electric Cooperative, six from Plateau Electric Cooperative, 10 from Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation and 16 from Volunteer Energy Cooperative are assisting Holston Electric Cooperative in Rogersville 
  • 50 contractors from Volunteer Energy Cooperative are assisting Powell Valley Electric Cooperative in New Tazwell 

Assisting cooperatives in other states are: 

  • 15 lineworkers from Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation are assisting Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation in Morgantown, North Carolina
  • Five lineworkers from Tri-County Electric Membership Corporation are assisting Blue Ridge Energy in Lenoir, North Carolina
  • Six lineworkers from Chickasaw Electric Cooperative, five from Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative and 15 from Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative are assisting Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation in Pickens, South Carolina  
  • 10 lineworkers from Caney Fork Electric Cooperative, five from Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative and eight from Gibson Electric Membership Corporation are assisting Excelsior Electric Membership Corporation in Metter, Georgia
  • Eight lineworkers from Gibson Electric Membership Corporation are assisting Planters Electric Membership Corporation in Millen, Georgia
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Helene impacts Tennessee co-ops

NASHVILLE – Power restoration efforts are underway this afternoon as the remnants of Hurricane Helene move through the Volunteer State. Heavy rain and strong winds have left some 60,000 electric co-op members without power across eastern Tennessee.

“Electric co-op crews are working tirelessly to restore power to every affected home and business,” said Mike Knotts, CEO of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. “The damage in eastern Tennessee is significant, and ongoing flooding is hampering restoration efforts. During situations like this, the hard work and dedication of electric lineworkers cannot be overstated. They are performing a dangerous job under difficult conditions, and their commitment to serving their neighbors is truly inspiring.”

As of Friday afternoon, the hardest-hit cooperatives are:

  • Mountain Electric Cooperative, Mountain City – 25,000 consumers affected
  • Appalachian Electric Cooperative, New Market – 11,900 consumers affected
  • Holston Electric Cooperative, Rogersville – 11,900 consumers affected
  • Powell Valley Electric Cooperative, New Tazewell – 11,200 consumers affected

The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association is coordinating assistance from Tennessee cooperatives. Appalachian Electric Cooperative is being assisted by Middle Tennessee Electric and Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation. Holston Electric Cooperative is being assisted by Middle Tennessee Electric. Mountain Electric Cooperative is being assisted by crews from Fayetteville Public Utilities and Tennessee Valley Electric Cooperative. Several additional cooperatives have pledged to send crews once the storm system moves through their own service territories.

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DREMC selects new president and CEO

DREMC CEO James Wright

The Duck River Electric Membership Corporation Board of Directors announced that James Wright has accepted the position of president and CEO and will assume the leadership role on Nov. 4.

“James brings an extensively broad range of experience to Duck River Electric that we believe will serve our members and employees well,” shares DREMC Board Chairman Anthony Kimbrough.

Wright currently serves as Vice President of Corporate Services at GreyStone Power Corporation located in Hiram, Georgia, and since 2013 has led a division responsible for many internal functions and member-focused areas within the cooperative.

GreyStone Power Corporation, a cooperative serving 150,000 meters, serves portions of eight counties in west-metro Atlanta. During his tenure at GreyStone, Wright helped the cooperative attain the highest safety accreditation score ever awarded by their statewide organization, Georgia Electric Membership Corporation. In 2019, the cooperative achieved the J.D. Power Award with the highest customer satisfaction rating ever received at that time by an electric utility and has placed in the top five in the cooperative segment the following three out of four years.

Kimbrough adds that Wright has accomplished an impressive academic and professional resume, but it is his commitment to a member- and employee-focused culture that is one of the many things that contributed to a unanimous board decision for him to lead DREMC.

“All 13 board members are tremendously excited about the days ahead for Duck River Electric,” adds Kimbrough, “and we are convinced that James is exactly the leader that our members and employees desire and value.”

“My family and I feel incredibly blessed to be joining the Duck River family, and I look forward to working with the Board of Directors and employees during this exciting time in Duck River’s history. I am a firm believer in providing our member-owners with the best service possible, and we will do this at Duck River by building upon our culture of collaboration, investing in our employees, and having a strategic plan that focuses on our members and employees,” says Wright. James and his wife Miranda, along with their four sons, are preparing to relocate to the Middle Tennessee area.

“While we as a board of directors are grateful that the nearly six-month-long nationwide search led us to James Wright as our next CEO, we are just as grateful for the guidance that Troy Crowell and his leadership team have provided and will continue to provide to the DREMC family,” said Kimbrough. “Thank you for letting us serve you and thank you for joining us in welcoming James Wright to DREMC.”

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Norris joins TECA team as developer

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association is pleased to announce the addition of Joel Norris to its communications team as digital media manager. With a rural heritage and a diverse background in media design and computer science, Norris brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and excitement to the association. 

Norris served in the U.S. Army for four years with tours in South Korea and Iraq. He earned the Army Commendation Medal and a Purple Heart. After leaving the army, Norris graduated from the Art Institute of Tennessee Nashville in its interactive media design program and from Middle Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. 

Norris taught web design and development for many years at the collegiate level at Belmont University, Nossi College of Art and the Art Institute of Nashville. More recently, he has been working as a PHP developer. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Joel Norris to our team,” said Trent Scott, vice president of communications for TECA. “Joel is a talented developer with an impressive background in coding, digital media and AI. Most importantly, he understands co-ops and rural communities, and we believe Tennessee co-ops will genuinely enjoy collaborating with him to elevate their online presence.” 

In this new role, Norris will manage websites for the association and The Tennesseee Magazine, oversee TECA’s apps and online properties and direct TECA PowerSites, a website service specifically for Tennessee’s electric cooperatives. 

“I’ve been a part of smaller co-ops before, and I am a firm believer in their worth and value,” Norris says. “I already love being a part of something so beneficial to rural Tennesseans, and I am honored and excited to have been chosen to be part of the TECA team!” 

Electric cooperatives serve more than 3 million consumers and 72 percent of Tennessee. The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association provides leadership, advocacy and support for Tennessee’s 23 electric cooperatives and publishes The Tennessee Magazine, the state’s most widely-circulated periodical. Visit tnelectric.org or tnmagazine.org to learn more. 

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Happy Retirement to Amy Jordan

Following 36 years of dedicated service to the association, Amy Jordan retired from TECA in July. Co-op leaders from across the state gathered in Nashville on Tuesday, Sept. 3 to honor the long-time TECA employee.

“Great colleague and friend,” “without fail, she always did the right thing,” “she’s the type of person you want on your side” and “she always put co-ops first” are a few sentiments that were shared during the reception.

“I am very fortunate and blessed that God put me where He did, when He did,” Jordan said. “Being at TECA gave me the opportunity to meet people across Tennessee who became friends and co-workers. They exemplify integrity and are valuable to the efforts of the electric cooperatives.”

Jordan graduated from Lipscomb University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration-accounting. She began her journey on November 16, 1988, as TECA’s finance specialist, and, as they say, the rest is history. Jordan tackled both accounting and human resource duties for the association. Little did TECA or Jordan know though how memorable and valuable that history would be personally, for Tennessee cooperatives and the association.

“Amy’s dedication is inspiring, as she has unfailingly focused her career on the success of our association and all of Tennessee’s electric co-ops,” Mike Knotts, TECA CEO, said. “She has so much to be proud of and has demonstrated to the rest of the team at TECA what it means to work hard, work with integrity and always focus on serving others. She will most certainly be missed, and I congratulate her on a job well done.”

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How Pocket Change Can Change the Community (and the Co-op)

Cooperatives are special because they are owned by the consumers they serve and guided by a set of seven principles that reflect the best interest of those consumers. Two of those principles are having concern for the community and education, training and information. Mountain Electric Cooperative is exemplifying both principles through their Operation Pocket Change (OPC) program.

OPC is a voluntary round-up program that helps local organizations and members during difficult times through the generosity of the co-op. Members can choose to round up their monthly electric bills to the next whole dollar amount. The extra pocket change flows into a special fund that is managed by a board of volunteer members who have a desire to help the service area. To date, more than $2 million has been provided to the community as a result. A quarter of those contributions are designated for scholarships. This fall MEC awarded 43 $1,000 scholarships and one of the recipients is currently attending lineman school.

Another way MEC serves the youth in the community is through their annual career day.

“The high school students take a field trip to our facilities where they climb poles, take bucket truck rides, operate equipment and talk to our employees about what an average day at MEC is like,” said Sally Snyder, MEC’s director of member services.

Logan Barnett received the OPC scholarship, attended the annual career day and is now in MEC’s apprenticeship program.

“Operation Pocket Change helped me get to the dream job I have today,” Barnett said. “I don’t know if I’d been able to do it without it!”

Over the years, more than ten of MEC’s current employees received this scholarship or attended the cooperative’s annual career day.

“It has been amazing to see the amount of employees we have now that attended as a high school student,” Snyder said. “I absolutely love this program and how much it has changed our communities with just a small amount of pocket change.”

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Meeting Tennessee’s Lawmakers and Youth Where They Are

A grand champion ham, Trace Adkins and the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association all played a role in supporting the future of agriculture at the Tennessee State Fair this year. More than 1,200 people were in attendance and helped raise $221,100 for the youth organization at the 9th Annual Tennessee State Fair FFA Ham Breakfast. TECA was a proud blue-ribbon sponsor of the event and was able to meet both lawmakers and youth where they were.

“The Tennessee FFA Ham Breakfast has been a transformational event since it began,” said Ryan King, TECA’s vice president of government affairs. “TECA on behalf of its members is a proud supporter of the event, but more than that, we believe it is important to demonstrate our support for Tennessee FFA, Tennessee 4-H and Tennessee lawmakers through year-round engagement. We believe there is no better way to invest in Tennessee’s rural communities.”

The Tennessee Grand Champion Country Ham was sold during a live auction and went for $25,000. Farm equipment dealer, H&R Agri-Power, seed company, Beck’s and Catesa Farms in Riddleton, served by Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, teamed up to make the winning bid. A Packer Style Ham was also auctioned off and sold for $18,500. The Tennessee Farm Bureau, the Tennessee Farmers Cooperative, CPC Commodities and ProTrition made that purchase together. Both hams have been donated back to the FFA to be sold during a private event at a later time.

An exciting twist this year was keynote speaker and country music artist, Trace Adkins. Adkins was the president of his FFA chapter in Sarepta, La. and lost his blue corduroy jacket in a house fire years ago. With the help of the National FFA organization and his wife though, he received a replacement jacket, which he wore during the FFA Ham Breakfast.

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Hale to Succeed Thompson as Tri-County Electric CEO

The Tri-County Electric Cooperative board of directors has selected Glenn Hale to succeed Paul Thompson as CEO of the cooperative. Hale, who has served the co-op as Director of Finance and Administration since September 2001, will assume the role of CEO on Sept. 1, 2024.

“I am thankful for the opportunity the board of directors is giving me to lead Tri-County Electric. I look forward to working with the board and our employees as we strive to provide affordable and reliable electric and broadband services to the member-owners we serve,” said Hale. “I want to thank Paul for his dedication and service to Tri-County Electric for the last 26 years, 23 as the Chief Executive Officer. On a personal note, I thank Paul for giving me the opportunity 23 years ago to join the Tri-County Electric family. Being able to work close to home for a wonderful organization has been a huge blessing to me and my family. I appreciate Paul’s support and guidance that I believe has helped prepare me for this new challenge. Most importantly, I thank him for his friendship!”

Thompson will serve as executive consultant and focus on a smooth CEO transition and broadband deployment in Kentucky until his official retirement in March 2025. “The board of directors and I look forward to supporting Glenn’s leadership as we build upon our strong history of delivering value to our employees and member-owners of Tri-County Electric,” he said.

Board President Mark Linkous added, “We are confident that under Glenn’s guidance, Tri-County Electric will continue to deliver safe, reliable electricity and broadband services to our member-owners at the lowest possible cost.”

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Knotts addresses TVA board

Florence, AL – Today the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors held a public listening session at the Marriott Shoals Hotel Conference Center. Mike Knotts, CEO of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, addressed the board during the listening session, and a readout of his comments is below.

Marriott Shoals Hotel Conference Center | Florence, AL | 2:00 p.m. CST

 

Good afternoon. My name is Mike Knotts, and I serve as the CEO of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association.

I appear here today on behalf of TECA’s 25 member local power companies who collectively serve consumers in 6 of the 7 states TVA calls home. Cooperatives are private sector, not for profit companies and TECA’s members own and operate over $6B worth of assets. Their power bills comprise over 25% of TVA’s revenues – nearly $3 billion. In most cases, that wholesale power bill constitutes between 70-80% of the cooperative’s total revenue.

In your role as a fiduciary for TVA, I’d like to ask you to think through that last statistic with me. Right now, in your mind, imagine for yourself if three-quarters of TVA’s costs were spent on just one thing?

How much attention would you devote to understanding that single cost driver? How much would you task TVA’s management to become subject matter experts and obsess over that one expenditure? I imagine it might be the first item on your agenda, every meeting.

Given that short exercise, I think you can better understand that for TVA’s local power company customers, it’s not just good business to fully understand TVA’s operations, finances, and governance processes. It is essential for our survival.

I think you can better understand why organizations like TECA and TVPPA spend so much time and effort seeking to understand your vision.

And I think you can better understand why the decisions you make about wholesale electric rates aren’t just about seeing a spreadsheet balance or satisfying bond covenants. It’s about real impact on our local communities.

So I urge you to engage directly with your customers, hear our questions, and heed our counsel.

You know, Just like TVA, local power companies are built on the hard work, sweat, and determination of some wonderful people. In fact, even though our business is so capital intensive, employing people is one of the biggest expenses an electric co-op undertakes.

So as I conclude, I’d like to ask you to join me in acknowledging the sacrifices paid by group of people who have earned one of the most prestigious titles in our industry. “Lineworkers.”

Despite extensive training and well-designed precautions, line work is dangerous and sometimes the worst can happen. Just one month ago in Bean Station, Tenn., a fine man named Nate left his home to provide electricity to his community – just as he has done for years.

Nathan Potter suffered an accident that day that took his life. He leaves behind an inspiring legacy of faith and dedication to his family and friends. He also leaves behind a grieving wife, three young daughters, and a devastated community of fellow lineworkers.

On behalf of Appalachian Electric Cooperative and all of TECA’s members, please join me in a dedicating a moment of your time and your prayers to honoring these brave men and women who serve us so honorably.

Thank you.

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Chicks, Learning, & Robots: An Adopt-A-School Story

Applications are set to open soon for Meriwether Lewis’ Adopt-A-School program. Each year, MLEC awards $15,000 in classroom grants evenly distributed among the five school districts served by the co-op. Applications are considered by Meriwether Lewis employees, and three projects from each county receives $1,000 grants.

Last year, Erin Elementary School teachers Jamie Scism and Kelley Jones were two Houston County winners.

Scism used her grant to raise chickens in the classroom and teach students about the life cycle of animals. Through an egg incubator and local egg donations, 10 chicks hatched and were raised until they returned to their home farm.

Jones added a new way for her classroom to learn basic computer coding at a young age. She purchased five robots that students control through coding games and learn critical thinking skills to solve problems.

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