People Behind the Power – Meet Kelly White
Tennessee electric cooperatives power the state. Co-ops provide for 3 million Tennesseans —that’s 72% of the state’s landmass and 41% of the state’s population. That power wouldn’t be possible though without the employees, lineworkers and board members across the 23 cooperatives. Kelly White is one of the people behind that power.
White lives in White Pine in Jefferson County. She worked at Walters State Community College for 20 years before becoming the IT help desk supervisor for Appalachian Electric Cooperative. She has served in that role for four years now and helps maintain everything electronic at the co-op, from security to computers to even the iPads that are sent out into the field with the lineworkers.
“It is amazing here at AEC,” White said. “I knew when I got here that it was where I was supposed to be. We have such a warm family environment, and I love knowing that we are helping our community.”
Aside from her work at the co-op, White has been married for 31 years, and they together have two sons, a daughter and two grandchildren with another on the way. The family works together at Mobile Lifehouse Ministries, a nonprofit organization they created in 2018 after noticing the lack of food available for those in need in their county and the ones surrounding them. White serves as the president of the ministry.
“The name Mobile Lifehouse Ministries is unique because of its meaning,” White said. “‘Mobile’ is because we knew God’s plan for us was to be able to take it where we needed it. ‘Lifehouse’ is because we can take this, shine a light and help somebody’s life, just like a lighthouse would and that’s why the lighthouse became our icon.”
What started as the family gathering their own money and buying groceries for those in need has grown to so much more. Now, Mobile Lifehouse Ministries hosts a pantry once a month at Jefferson Middle School. Before the “shopping” commences, leaders from nearby churches host a small worship service and provide a hot meal. Then, people from all around can get food, gently used or new clothing and encouragement they need. Everything available has been donated and organized by people, businesses and churches in the community.
“Once I saw the need was there, I felt like that’s where God wanted me to be,” White said. “That need and my passion have continued to grow since.”
Every November before the Thanksgiving holiday, AEC participates in Mobile Lifehouse Ministries. Employees, board members and lineworkers from the cooperative all work together to organize and host the mobile pantry.
“It puts everything I love together,” White said. “That day brings together my family, ministry and AEC all in one place to help our community.”
On top of the monthly pantry, Mobile Lifehouse Ministries is also set up to provide food throughout the week to those in need. White herself along with other volunteers in the community delivers food to more than 50 homes each month to veterans, elders and shut-ins.
“This has all been such a Godsend,” White said. “It’s such a blessing to be able to share and it really makes you realize how fortunate you are. It makes you want to treat people a little better because you never know what they are going through.”
