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Focusing on and awarding safety

Every year electric utilities and related organizations from across the nation gather to spend time solely focused on safety at the National Utility Training and Safety Education Association conference. This year the 83rd annual event was hosted by Tennessee Job Training and Safety at the HeartSong Resort at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge on Sep. 14-17.

“It’s one of the best safety conferences I’ve ever been to,” said Danny Sutton, the director of operations at Caney Fork Electric Cooperative.

The NUTSEA Conference provides a platform for members to exchange information, share experiences and attend training sessions to improve safety practices back home. Speakers, discussions and workshops each year are tailored to different areas of the industry.

This year the conference had three keynote speakers. Coach Ken Carter spoke during Monday’s general session. The film, “Coach Carter”, featuring Samuel L. Jackson, is based on his efforts to get his state play-off bound basketball team to focus on academics. Coach Carter shared hard-hitting advice about accountability, integrity, teamwork and leadership to succeed both on and off the basketball court. Jake Suttles, who also operates under the name Tennessee Drug Testing, spoke to attendees during Tuesday’s general session about federal drug and alcohol testing laws and that type of communication. Lee Shelby shared an empowering message about encountering over 13,200 volts of electricity during the final general session. Shelby emphasized the dangers of complacency at work and encouraged everyone to remain vigilant and proactive in their safety practices.

During the annual event, one of Tennessee electric co-ops’ own was recognized for his efforts towards safety. Danny Sutton was awarded the OG Anderson Safety Award for distinguished achievement in line maintenance and safety.

“This is the first award I have ever received in the industry, and it just tickled me to death,” Sutton said. “When they called me up, they wanted me to say a few words, and I didn’t have much to say. I am very grateful.”

Sutton has been working at CFEC for almost 50 years. For 25 of those years, he was the co-op’s safety director. During his time in that position, he helped start the Middle Tennessee Safety Roundtable. Every other month for over 20 years, co-op leaders, municipalities and utilities come together for updates, connections and advice on safety matters.

The 84th annual NUTSEA Conference will be held Oct. 11-14, 2026. More information will be released soon at nutsea.org.

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Wired for service

NASHVILLE – 700 volunteers, 31 projects and 1,860 service hours sum up how Tennessee electric co-ops went out across the state on Thursday, Oct. 16 to make a difference through the ninth annual Tennessee Electric Co-op Day of Service.

“We sometimes call this our favorite day of the year,” said Trent Scott, vice president of communications for the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. “Co-op employees serve their communities every day but today is special.”

From hosting bingo at senior centers, to planting trees for an arboretum development to even assembling and delivering snack bags to first responders — the Day of Service projects reflect and put into action the seventh cooperative principle of “Concern for Community”.

“It’s inspiring to see so many come together with one purpose—to make life a little better for their neighbors,” Scott said. “Co-op people love their communities, and it shows on a day like today. The local connection we have with the people we serve makes this work personal—it’s neighbors helping neighbors in the truest sense.”

TECA spent the day volunteering at “The Store” which is a non-profit grocery store founded by Brad Paisley and his wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley. “The Store” is like a food pantry in the sense that it provides free groceries to individuals and families in need. However, the customers can choose the goods that best meet their nutritional needs and personal preferences. This choice-based model reduces waste, ensures satisfaction and upholds the dignity of those served. TECA staff helped run the cash registers, bagged and sorted groceries, helped customers out the door with their items and restocked shelves.

Sponsors of the 2025 Day of Service were the Tennessee Valley Authority, Bass, Berry & Sims, Central Service Association, Silicon Ranch Corporation, 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 nine years, the program has completed 241 projects with the help of 4,871 volunteers who have collectively contributed 12,013 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 2025 Day of Service and the projects they completed:

Appalachian Electric Cooperative – Volunteered at CARE Animal Rescue

Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation – Spent multiple days helping build houses for Habitat for Humanity

Gibson Electric – Helped host bingo at Obion County Senior Center, Gibson County Office on Aging, Ridgely Senior Center, Tiptonville Senior Center and Crockett County Senior Center

Holston Electric Cooperative – Assembled hygiene and winter kits at Array of Hope Homeless Center

Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative – Hosted a blood donation drive, assembled and delivered snack bags to first responders, stuffed care packages and backpacks with Child Help Task Force, sorted and distributed donations at local food bank, picked up litter in downtown Waverly and sorted and distributed donations at Rose’s Mission

Middle Tennessee Electric – Participated in a home build in Lebanon with Habitat for Humanity, helped rebuild a home in Readyville after tornado damage, set up an angel tree toy distribution with Graceworks in Franklin, hosted a school restoration project at Allendale Elementary and developed a school pollinator project at Johnson Elementary

Pickwick Electric Cooperative – Volunteered at Jesus Cares

Plateau Electric Cooperative – Planted trees to assist in the arboretum development at Oneida City Park

Powell Valley Electric Cooperative – Supported teachers and staff and local schools with an appreciation bag of goodies

Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative – Assembled birthday boxes and hygiene kits for local food bank and schools and hosted a veterans lunch

Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation – Lent a helping hand at various schools in the service area

Volunteer Energy Cooperative – Hosted food drives at Meigs County Ministries, The Caring Place, Monterey High School, Burks Elementary School and House of Hope

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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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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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Vantage Point Adds Environmental and Cultural Resource Services

MITCHELL, SD (January 11, 2022) – TECA associate member Vantage Point Solutions is pleased to announce the addition of in-house Environmental and Cultural Resource services, further streamlining construction project management in the face of increasing permitting requirements.

“Construction projects across the country are facing increased environmental and cultural resource requirements,” says Chad Glanzer, President of Vantage Point Solutions. “The ability to provide these services in-house streamlines how our clients meet those requirements.”

The in-house team will help clients fulfill requirements of the National Environmental Protection Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Clean Water Act, as well as state and tribal historic preservation offices, the Army Corps of Engineers, and FCC Form 620/621.

Environmental services include floodplain mapping, wetland delineation, biological and environmental studies, and agency coordination. Cultural resource services include literature reviews, reconnaissance surveys, site evaluation, mitigation plans, excavation and recovery projects, artifact curation, construction monitoring, and determination of effect.

Jana Morehouse

The new department is led by Jana Morehouse, a Registered Professional Archeologist and Department of the Interior-qualified Principal Investigator with over 15 years of experience in the industry. In this new role, Morehouse oversees a team of archeologists and environmental scientists whose experience spans the country in areas ranging from coastal monitoring to historical architecture. “We study the past to help others in the future,” Morehouse says. “As part of the Vantage Point team, we are leveraging that experience to improve and streamline client projects.”

Being part of a larger spectrum of services has additional benefits for clients, according to Morehouse: “Being fully integrated means we understand the entire project and can see problems before they become a problem. We can proactively fix things before they cause delays.”

Since it’s founding in 2002, Vantage Point has offered multiple integrated services under the same roof. In recent years that has included a focus on clearing hurdles to construction: The Right-of-Way and permitting team has been expanded significantly, and an Aerial Make Ready department was added in 2017.

The new Environmental department – which includes both environmental and historical preservation staff – is an extension of that focus, says Glanzer: “It’s easier for clients. Every project encounters an issue at some point, and being all on the same team means there’s less runaround to get to a solution. Experts are already engaged.”

The Environmental department will work alongside the existing Right-of-Way team, providing comprehensive permitting expertise directly integrated with OSP project managers.

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