Tennessee’s electric cooperatives hosted the inaugural Biscuits & Bluegrass brunch this morning to honor and welcome members of the Tennessee General Assembly on the first day of the 114th General Assembly. Held in Nashville at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, the event brought together legislators, their families and Tennessee leaders to celebrate the start of the legislative session with a bang.

Over 1,000 of Loveless Cafe’s iconic biscuits were served alongside jams, Nashville hot chicken and Frothy Monkey coffee. The event drew over 500 attendees from all corners of Tennessee. A highlight of the morning was the ceremonial “flipping of the switch” by Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally, symbolizing the official start of the legislative session.

“It is great to have the opportunity to play such an instrumental role in welcoming back the general assembly to session,” Mike Knotts, CEO of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, said. “Electric cooperatives have always been interwoven into the fabric of their communities, and I’m glad we are able to use this event to apply that same philosophy of community engagement on a statewide level.“

The General Assembly later gaveled in at noon, as is required by the Tennessee State Constitution. It is expected that lawmakers will meet through the week before adjourning on Thursday for a two week recess in order to re-organize following committee and leadership assignments. There’s also significant speculation about whether or not Gov. Lee will call for a special session to ask the legislature to consider his education scholarship program. If a special session materializes, it will likely occur during the two week recess period.

Camel, alligator meat and safety instruction all came together this year for Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative’s 12thannual Wild Game Safety Luncheon. Each year the co-op hosts the event to celebrate its employees and their valued partners’ commitment to working safely.

225 people were in attendance this year and enjoyed wild game contributed and prepared by co-op employees and industry professionals from around the county. This event is much more than enjoying delicious and unique food though – it’s about the comradery that gathering together brings.

“We work in a demanding industry and sometimes it is hard to slow down, celebrate what’s been done and have those hard conversations,” Mike Partin, SVEC President and CEO, says. “Electricity is an unforgiving force, and it is of the utmost importance that our employees do not become complacent in the part they play in coming home safely each night to their family.”

Zach Spicer as the keynote speaker was able to drive home that point this year. Spicer is a safety instructor at Job Training and Safety. He shared with those in the room about his road to recovery after being electrocuted and burned on the job. Spicer shared about the toll his mistake took on not only himself, but the loved ones around him, bringing into focus the real dangers of this trade.

“I am proud of Team SVEC and the job they do. I commend them for their safety and continued focus every day,” Partin says.

Middle Tennessee Electric has announced the installation of four new fast chargers for electric vehicles at its Murfreesboro office. This marks the second of the three DC fast charger installations in the cooperative’s service area and is an effort to accelerate electric vehicle infrastructure as demand increases.

“Co-ops have an important role to play in educating our members about how to fuel their electric vehicles,” Mike Knotts, CEO of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, said. “Ideally, that happens at their home at night, but those who don’t have access to charge at their homes, publicly available charging infrastructure is critical. Installations like MTE’s new level 3 chargers will help more co-op members utilize their EV’s if they decide to drive electric.”

The first installation was put in back in March of 2024 at the Lebanon office on Maddox-Simpson Parkway. The latest addition is located at MTE’s central office, 555 New Salem Highway in Murfreesboro. The third is planned for the Franklin office on Edward Curd Lane and is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter.

“As more Tennesseans switch to electric vehicles, it’s essential to provide infrastructure that is not only ready for the demands of today but adaptable for the future,” Brandon Wagoner, MTE’s manager of strategy execution and analytics, said.

The fast chargers at the new Murfreesboro location feature dual connectors, offering both Combined Charging System (CCS) and North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging options. Those support a wide range of electric vehicles, including Tesla models. Three of the chargers have NACS on the second connector. The fourth charger has a CHArge de Move (CHAdeMO) connector to meet grant requirements. CHAdeMO is used for DC fast charging on the Nissan Leaf. Many manufacturers are switching to NACS connectors this year and these chargers are designed to be backward compatible.

“By investing in high-capacity chargers with reliable self-healing technology and grid-supportive battery systems, we’re laying the groundwork for sustainable EV travel across the state,” Wagoner said.

These fast charger installations are part of the Fast Charge TN Network, which is a collaborative effort from the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Seven States Power Corporation and local TVA power companies.

JACKSON – Union University is pleased to announce that Amanda Bean of Morristown, Tenn. is the recipient of the school’s second $10,000 Washington Youth Tour Creative Writing Competition scholarship.

“These are the future leaders that we want at Union,” Robbie Graves, Union University’s assistant vice president for undergraduate admissions, says. “We believe that delegates to the Washington Youth Tour develop skills that will help them succeed here at Union and beyond. We are glad to partner with the state’s electric co-ops to provide scholarships to these young people. We particularly congratulate Amanda Bean on her outstanding achievements. She is an exceptional young lady.”

Bean, a student from the Holston Electric Cooperative service territory had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. as a part of the 2024 Washington Youth Tour to learn more about leadership, history and public policy.

“At Holston Electric Cooperative, we are proud to support and participate in programs like the Washington Youth Tour, which not only exposes our students to the workings of our government but also help shape the future of our community,” Jimmy Sandlin, HEC’s general manager, says. “This scholarship is not only a significant achievement for Amanda. This is a direct result of the collaboration between TECA, cooperatives like ours and Union University, all working together to create opportunities for local students. Programs like the Washington Youth Tour are part of our ongoing commitment to invest in the next generation of leaders. By supporting educational initiatives like these, Holston Electric Cooperative helps create a brighter future for our students and our community as a whole.”

Bean, along with 6,000 other high school students from across the state, have participated in the Electric Cooperative Creative Writing and Scholarship Competition since its start in the 1960s.

“The Washington Youth Tour has opened so many doors for me,” Bean says. “I never expected to create lasting relationships or to win scholarship money.  Winning the $10,000 per year scholarship for Union University through the WYT has been absolutely amazing and will help make college more affordable. This trip has taught me there are so many benefits when I step out of my comfort zone. I encourage everyone to write the essay!”

The scholarship is part of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s partnership with both Carson Newman and Union University. Union University has also awarded four $4,000 Washington Youth Tour scholarship winners: Allison Hoesel of Middle Tennessee Electric, Alexis Hale of Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation, David Jones of Appalachian Electric Cooperative and Clark French of Forked Deer Electric Cooperative.

While winter weather can be beautiful to behold, fun to play in and gets the kids out of school, it can lead to the threat of ice and ultimately, electrical hazards. As you keep an eye on the weather forecast, here are some tips to be mindful of to keep you and your family safe this winter.

Regularly Check Trees. Heavy snow and ice can bring trees and branches down onto power lines, which could lead to power outages during extremely cold temperatures. Do a regular check of trees around your property, and call your co-op to come trim branches when needed.

Inspect Space Heaters. Likely, when you pull the space heater back out of the closet or garage, it will need to be cleaned and checked. Inspect for cracked or broken plugs or loose connections before each use. If the cord is frayed or damaged, do not use the heater.

Use Portable Generators Safely. Do not operate a portable generator in your home, basement or garage. They can quickly produce high levels of carbon monoxide which can result in death. Fans or open windows won’t provide enough fresh air to keep you safe.

Beware Of Downed Power Lines. Call your co-op immediately. Always assume downed power lines are energized. Stay away from the line and any nearby objects that might be touching the line like a fence or tree limb. Do not attempt to move the downed power line.

Stay In Your Vehicle. If you must get out in a winter storm, use the utmost caution. If you lose control of your vehicle and hit a power pole, stay in your car, unless it is on fire. Getting out of your car puts you at risk for shock. If you must get out, do not touch your vehicle. Jump with your feet together and hop away. The Electrical Safety Authority recommends staying back the length of a school bus from the downed power line.

NASHVILLE –A major arctic weather system is expected to bring the coldest air of the season to the region through the weekend and next week. Tennessee’s electric cooperatives urge you to plan accordingly. Here are some important tips to prepare your home for cold weather.

Prepare your Home

Inside Your Home

  • Open cabinets doors in your kitchen and bathrooms to allow warm air to circulate around the water pipes.
  • Allow faucets along exterior walls to drip a small amount of water. Running water will prevent pipes from freezing.
  • Ensure that your home has some minimum heat, even if you are away.

Outside

  • Cover or close foundation vents.
  • Drain and store water hoses.
  • Protect outdoor faucets and pipes with insulation. If pipe insulation is not available, use newspapers, rags, trash bags or other household items to create a layer of protection.
  • Familiarize yourself with your water shut off valve and have the tools necessary to close it if necessary.
  • Turn off power to your water heater before draining pipes.

 

Energy Saving Tips

Energy consumption can spike during periods of extremely cold weather. Even with your thermostat set at the same temperature, the greater the difference between inside and outside temperatures, the more your heating system must work to maintain a comfortable living space. Here are some tips to save energy during periods of extreme cold weather.

Set your thermostat to 65 degrees. You can drop it even lower if you plan to be away from home.

Use drapes to control temperatures. Open drapes to allow sunlight to warm your home. Close them in the evening to retain heat.

Seal cracks. Use towels or other materials to seal cracks around windows or under doors to prevent cold air from entering your space.

Be sure air filters are clean. Your heating and cooling system runs more during periods of extreme weather, and that means that your air filters can become dirty much quicker. Dirty air filters make your heating system run less efficiently, and that can have a big impact on comfort and your energy bill.

 

 

Over the course of almost three decades, Todd Blocker has dedicated his career to the electric cooperative world. The last 13 of those 27 years have been spent with the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association as the director of member services. Blocker will retire January 2025.

“Todd’s impact on our cooperatives is not just in what he did, it will show itself for years through what he has done,” Mike Knotts, CEO of TECA, says. “He has a tremendous love for young people, and by providing young leaders from all across the state the opportunity to learn more about their co-op, their state, their nation and themselves he has truly helped mold the next generation.”

A major part of Blocker’s role was helping with the Washington Youth Tour where students in cooperative areas write a short story and the winners explore our nation’s capital during a six-day, all-expense paid trip.

“I worked on 13 youth tours, went on 10, and missed two (everyone did) due to COVID,” Blocker says. “I have personally been on tour with over 1,800 student delegates and cooperative chaperones.”

Helping cooperatives and their service areas during disaster was another key aspect of Blocker’s service. Over his time, he helped with approximately 26 hurricanes as well as countless tornadoes and ice storms throughout the Valley.

“Even after long hours of coordinating crew movements to assist cooperatives when disasters hit, you can always count on Todd to bring a positive attitude and a smile for everyone around him,” Knotts says.

When asked what Blocker will miss most about his time with TECA, he said the answer was simple.

“It has been a true privilege to serve as part of the electric cooperative family,” Blocker says. “I will always cherish the countless experiences and the lasting relationships I’ve built with our members, as well as with my extended family and friends over the years.”

BJ Bernard has joined the TECA team as the incoming vice president of member services.

Caney Fork Electric Cooperative has “decked the halls” and “brought some corn for popping” this month as it hosted Christmas Open House events. Every year the cooperative puts forth the effort to connect with members during the holiday season. Members across the service area can visit all four decorated locations in Smithville, Sparta, Spencer and McMinnville. Not only are members able to see the offices and faces behind the scenes, but they also have the opportunity to give canned foods and receive cookbooks in return.

“After the pandemic, we decided to turn it into a giving and receiving event since so many were struggling,” Angel Wood, CFEC’s communications coordinator says. “We knew our employees and members were up for the challenge.”

The challenge also helped bring attendance numbers back up. The idea of the open house was spurred from meetings that took place in the 1940s and 1950s.

“The concept was a throwback to when co-ops had home economists that would demonstrate the latest in electric appliances,” John Chisam, CFEC’s director of member services, says.

Duck River Electric Membership Corporation was doing something similar at the time and both the former director of member services and marketing coordinator at CFEC decided to bring something similar back home. The event kicked off in 1991 and was originally called “Holiday Festive Foods”. Recipes have been involved ever since.

As years went on, attendance declined at the event as the older generation stayed home at night and younger ones used their phones to find recipes. The size of the event has been scaled down to afternoons at the office rather than an evening party, and now members have a purpose – to help those in need.

“So far, the numbers at each office for attendance have held steady for this new concept,” Chisam says. “We are still giving out about 2,500 or so books each year.”

The cookbook is special this year as it encompasses the theme of “Nostalgic Noel”, including recipes from throughout the history of The Tennessee Magazine.

“We pulled and compiled all of these recipes, with the help of the TECA staff, and we truly hope our members will love reflecting on a simpler time,” Wood says. “Many of our members have the full collection of cookbooks and think they are worth more than gold.”

For 30 years, Ron Bell has helped craft and design some 360 editions of The Tennessee Magazine. Since 1994, Bell has served the magazine as well as the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association as art director and will retire January 2025.

“Ron has been an asset for The Tennessee Magazine and the state’s electric cooperatives,” Chris Kirk, editor of The Tennessee Magazine, says. “His talents are seen in magazine sections, feature story layouts, illustrations, ads, posters, T-shirts, certificates — even co-op logos.”

Needless to say, Bell has done it all creatively during his time with the association, including an iconic staple in the publication.

“I hide the flag,” Bell jokingly says about what he has done over the last three decades.

Aside from the creativity, Bell has made lifelong friendships in the cooperative world and says that’s what he will remember and miss the most.

“I may have to pop in the office from time to time just to share a joke or two,” Bell says.

The staff at The Tennessee Magazine will greatly miss Bell, but thankfully the publication hasn’t seen the last of him, or Antsy McClain, as he plans to continue his My Tennessee Notebook column.

“We wish him years of relaxation, creativity and adventure in retirement,” Kirk says.

And of course, you can continue to follow along with Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadours at unhitched.com.

“I enjoy my career in music, which I will be continuing,” Bell says. “I’ll keep traveling around the country, as well as Canada and Europe, playing music as I have since 1992.”

The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s 83rd annual meeting has come and gone, and it was nothing short of a success.

“This year’s annual meeting was a resounding success at the new venue,” Dan Rodamaker, TECA’s board chairman, says. “The changes in the agenda with a reception instead of a dinner were well accepted by the membership.”

More than 350 electric cooperative leaders embraced the changes this year. The meeting took place the week before Thanksgiving on Sunday, Nov. 17 through Tuesday Nov. 19 and it was held at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs for the first time. A new agenda was also in place, including breakout sessions and a grand reception. This allowed members to cover more ground, fellowship with one another and enjoy some good food and entertainment.

The unveiling of a new logo for The Tennessee Magazine, a panel discussion on how the Rose family balances political office while raising kids and thoughts on leadership from UT Baseball coach, Tony Vitello, all helped energize every moment at the annual event.

Energizing every moment happened to be the theme of this year’s meeting. Jessica Toliver, the community and member engagement specialist at Gibson Electric Membership Corporation, was the emcee for the three-day gathering and thought the event fit the theme well.

“The 2024 TECA Annual Meeting lived up to the theme – energizing every moment,” Toliver says. “Each session was as informative, and it was engaging.”

During Monday’s lunch, the 2024 Washington Youth Tour Delegates were recognized: Yuridia Garcia, Tennessee’s Cooperative Youth Ambassador and the $10,000 scholarship winner, Charlsie Strech, the 1st place winning essay and the $3,000 scholarship winner, Eli Jones, the 2nd place winning essay and the $2,000 scholarship winner and Allison Hoesel, Tennessee’s Youth Leadership Council Representative.

“That moment truly touched my heart, hearing from the Washington Youth Tour delegates,” Toliver says. “These students are quite likely the next generation of electric cooperative members and leaders and seeing them so invested now makes me optimistic for the future.”

The future is something Rodamaker is looking forward to especially with TECA’s 84th annual meeting being held at the same location on No. 16-18, 2025.

“It has been my honor to serve the member cooperatives as the board chairman over the last year,” Rodamaker says. “I look forward to serving the members in the upcoming year with a focus on accomplishing many of our strategic plan goals and objectives.”

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.”

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.

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.”

 

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