, ,

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.”

/by
, , ,

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.

/by

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.

/by

Fayetteville Public Utilities’ Student Utility Board celebrates Awards Day

Fayetteville Public Utilities’ (FPU) Student Utility Board (SUB) celebrated their last meeting with an Awards Day on May 2. Students, parents and FPU employees gathered in FPU’s conference and community room to share a meal and to honor the student board.

FPU CEO/General Manager Britt Dye commended the students for their participation and dedication. He recognized the members of the student board with appreciation of service plaques. Appreciation awards were presented to India Bryson, Javon Fox and Eli Layne of Fayetteville High School and Saira Martinez, Avery Raby and Hayden Swinford of Lincoln County High School. Case Creson of Riverside Christian Academy was unable to attend the event.

Following the award presentations, Dye presented the FPU Student Utility Board Scholarship. The scholarship was awarded based on application and essay submissions as well as points earned throughout the year. This year’s scholarship recipient was Saira Martinez who plans to enroll at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Pulaski to earn her Dental Assistant certificate.

“It is an honor to get to share our knowledge and skills with the student board each year,” said Dye. “This year’s group participated and showed great interest in what we do at FPU. Not only did they learn from us, but we benefited from their innovative ideas and knowledge as well. As our student board nears graduation, it is an opportune time to remind them that success requires hard work, responsibility and accountability. No matter where they go in life, those three characteristics will serve them well. We wish the Student Utility Board and all 2024 graduates the best of luck in future endeavors.”

/by
, , ,

Making Each Meeting Better Than the Last

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, or some might say – especially in the cooperative world – the most tiring time of the year. Summer has come to an end, school is back in session, holidays are right around the corner and to top it off, it is annual meeting time. A time where local cooperatives come together to meet with members, handle official business, celebrate the year and what’s to come.

We spoke with annual meeting planners from a few Tennessee co-ops to learn about their planning process, the new things they are trying out and how they are working to best engage their members at this year’s event.

Caney Fork Electric Cooperative

Caney Fork Electric Cooperative has a little bit of time left to plan for their annual meeting. Each year the event is held on the Saturday before the third Sunday in October, which falls on October 19. This year members will vote on a couple of bylaw changes and one area has a contested election.

Of course, there is fun to be had at the meeting, too. The cooperative will have its normal BBQ lunch and entertainment. This year it will be a fan favorite band that is local to the area who has a following with both the younger and older members.

“We are striving to get our younger members to attend to better understand the importance of the cooperative and the value it brings to the rural communities in which they live,” John Chisam, Caney Fork Electric Cooperative’s director of member services, said.

Chickasaw Electric Cooperative

In the southwest corner of the Volunteer State, Chickasaw Electric Cooperative is gearing up for its annual meeting next month. Their team’s methods may be a bit different from most because its meeting is held virtually. The annual meeting is in the form of a video. It will be posted on the co-op’s YouTube channel on September 1 and be live for two weeks until September 15. Members from across the cooperative participate to make it a huge success, even with a silly blooper video to follow. Viewers can text a specific code to be entered to win a door prize.

“We started this in 2021, and it has been a huge hit with our membership,” Andrea Kee, Chickasaw Electric Cooperative’s communication specialist, said. “Our views grow each year.”

Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation

Moving one cooperative north, Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation is even closer to its annual meeting, which will be Friday, August 9. The co-op always has its yearly event on the second Friday of August, but planning, like many others, begins at the beginning of the year.

“We have a meeting with our department, executive staff and a couple others that are a huge help to start brainstorming ideas,” Kenley Mitchell, Southwest Tennessee Electric’s community relations specialist, said.

The planning includes the gift (this year, a cast iron skillet with the STEMC logo on the back), entertainment, door prizes and what they can do differently to better engage members. They have been actively engaging with members by explaining what and when the annual meeting is on social media, through The Tennessee Magazine, on their website and monthly bills. The cooperative works hard too to make sure the engagement is worth it by keeping the event fun for all ages through live music, free food and children’s activities.

“The annual meeting at STEMC is the marketing department’s most important task throughout the year. This is nearly a year-long, tiring project, but it is so rewarding to see the smiles on our members’ faces at the event,” Mitchell said. “Like most co-op’s, our numbers have dwindled since Covid. We do our best to make each meeting better than the last, and we are looking forward to seeing what this year brings.”

Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative

Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative is making the final planning touches on their annual meeting as it takes place on Thursday, August 8. They are celebrating their 85 anniversary, and as a commemoration of the co-op’s connection efforts over the years, they have created a show poster highlighting the beauty of the counties they serve.

SVEC is working with local industry Lodge Manufacturing to create custom skillets for their members. They are bringing in a local band to entertain guests at dinner, and they will have an ice cream truck on site to serve everyone’s favorite sweet treat. Most importantly, SVEC takes the busy season as a time to step back and reflect on the previous year.

“It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and not look at the monumental accomplishments that we in the electric utility industry make to ensure our members don’t have to worry when they flip the switch,” Kari Crouse, SVEC’s vice president of communications and business strategy, said.

This year the event will focus on the theme “There wouldn’t be an us without you”, which will be debuted at the meeting, in their annual report and echoed throughout all speeches.

“It’s not just the big moments that make up a legacy, it is powering Friday night lights so communities can come together to support their favorite team. It is the look on a child’s face when they learn the power behind the switch. It’s customizing community training to ensure our friends and family serving as first responders come home safe each day to their families,” Mike Partin, SVEC’s President and CEO, said. “It’s knowing that when you flip the switch we are there, because we know that there wouldn’t be us without a you.”

/by

Duck River Resumes Monthly Editions of The Tennessee Magazine

After sending the magazine to members quarterly for a few years, Duck River Electric Membership Corporation resumed monthly distribution of The Tennessee Magazine in August.

“For decades, Duck River Electric members have enjoyed receiving The Tennessee Magazine delivered to their mailboxes,” Anthony Kimbrough, DREMC board chairman, said. “And because many had expressed their fondness for reading the magazine on a more regular basis, the DREMC Board of Directors decided that the cooperative would again send monthly issues of the publication to members.”

A large part of that decision is because DREMC sees the magazine as one of the most effective communication pieces they have. 64,414 copies of the magazine went out across the Duck River Electric service area this month. When DREMC switched to only doing quarterly publications of the magazine, the timeliness of communicating with members was hindered.

 “The Tennessee Magazine is a critical communication and public relations tool from DREMC to our members as well as a fun and informative read,” Kimbrough adds.

DREMC members have much to look forward to with the August edition of the magazine and the co-op’s senior manager of administrative services, Kayla Young, couldn’t agree more.

“From the statewide feature stories to the recipes to searching for the hidden Tennessee flag and everything in between, The Tennessee Magazine includes something for every reader,” Young said. “We are always pleased when an article in the magazine spotlights someone, a business, or a location in the communities that DREMC serves. Along those lines, we hope that readers will enjoy learning about Davis Branch Blueticks located in Bedford County and its connection to the University of Tennessee’s mascot, “Smokey,” which is featured in the August 2024 issue.”

The Tennessee Magazine celebrates Tennessee’s remarkable people, places, food and events. This goal would not be achieved without the support of the 23 cooperatives that TECA serves in Tennessee. August was a great month for magazine circulation, with more than 775,000 copies published.

/by

Working Hand in Hand with TML

The Tennessee Municipal League held its 84th Annual Conference and Expo in Knoxville July 20–23. TECA joined TML as a platinum sustaining member sponsor in 2022.

TML is a non-profit association established by cities and towns within the Volunteer State. It serves as the voice of and advocate for 345 towns and cities. The main purpose of the organization is to help local officials create better cities, towns, laws and government for all Tennessee citizens.

“Relationships with local officials from throughout Tennessee are extremely important to electric cooperatives,” Ryan King, TECA’s vice president of government affairs and TECA’s representative at this year’s conference, said. “We work hand-in-hand to make sure essential needs of their citizens and our members are met.”

Sessions during this year’s conference focused on networking, economic development and streamlined operations. TVA CEO Jeff Lyash spoke in the second general session on the future of energy and energy generation.

 

A TML official introduces TVA’s Jeff Lyash during TML’s recent meeting in Knoxville.

“We work closely with one another to bring prosperity to our communities through economic development projects,” King said. “We value our relationship with all of Tennessee’s local officials and with our friends at the Tennessee Municipal League.”

/by