On to the Future

North Carolina’s electric cooperative leaders in April embrace new ideas for leading communities into the future

Directors and staff from the state’s cooperatives were energized by the annual meeting of their statewide organizations.
Discussing co-op community programs were (from left) Jim Mangum of Wake EMC, Donnie Spivey of Pee Dee EMC and Columbus Jeffers of Roanoke Electric.
Futurist Jack Uldrich opened minds to what will be coming next.
Rebecca Tippett of UNC’s Carolina Population Center described the state’s changing population.
After delivering a speech, Gov. Pat McCrory signed a bill proclaiming the second Monday of every April “Lineman Appreciation Day.”
Presiding CEO Joe Brannan urged co-op directors and staff to embrace change in technology, communication and services.
Judy Gore (at right) was recognized for pioneering the Bright Ideas education grants program at Brunswick EMC 20 years ago (with BEMC’s Heather Holbrook and Don Hughes).
Discussing government relations were (from left) Carmen Dietrich, Lumbee River EMC; Bill Barber, Piedmont EMC; Dale Lambert, Randolph EMC; and Ken Thomas, Haywood EMC.
Dillan Phillips (Wake EMC) heads to UNC-Chapel Hill.
Haley Nicole Sink (EnergyUnited) heads to Duke University.
DeLance Stephens (South River EMC) heads to Campbell University.

Click to view a slideshow from the 2015 Annual Meeting

At the annual meeting of their statewide organizations, more than 350 board members, managers and key staff of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives in April focused on how cooperatives are poised for serving diverse and emerging needs among their members. Referring to the meeting’s theme of leading communities into the future, CEO Joe Brannan of the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation told the co-op delegates that three key activities will inspire them in that task: communication, technology and service.

The meeting also included a variety of educational panels, keynote speakers, officer reports, as well as service and scholarship awards.

Statewide leaders elected

The following were elected to 2015–2016 board leadership positions in the cooperatives’ statewide organizations.

NCEMC (power supply): President Mark A. Suggs, Pitt & Greene EMC; Vice President Dale F. Lambert, Randolph EMC; Secretary-Treasurer Paul Spruill, Tideland EMC.

NCAEC (co-op services): President Carl W. Kornegay, Tri-County EMC; Vice President Susan E. Flythe, Cape Hatteras Electric; Secretary-Treasurer Toby Speaks, Surry-Yadkin EMC.

TEMA (material supply): President David Eggers, Blue Ridge EMC; Vice President J. Michael Davis, Tri-County EMC; Secretary-Treasurer Bertice Lanier, Four County EMC.