National convention focuses on 'Members First'

More than 8,000 representatives of the nation’s electric cooperatives and allied organizations set policy, discussed issues affecting their business, learned about industry technology, and elected and honored leaders during their annual meetings held in Orlando in February.  The Orange County Convention Center hosted annual meetings of national organizations that serve financial, insurance, branding, technology and other electric cooperative interests.

Just prior to their meeting, more than 100 volunteers from cooperatives around the country helped clean, fix and refresh an Orlando neighborhood as part of the annual Touchstone Energy community service project.

In her remarks to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s 73rd annual meeting, CEO Jo Ann Emerson said because of the appeal that the cooperative way of doing business has among consumers, electric cooperatives can build political strength and sustain consumer loyalty. In a spirited support of the not-for-profit cooperative model, Emerson said “Why do business any other way?” She reminded delegates that welcoming innovation, engaging members and building communities leads to solid member support. She called on co-op leaders to recommit to their members as the best way to be heard in the political corridors of Washington, D.C.: “We do local politics on a national level.” (See an excerpt of Emerson’s remarks.)

At well-attended forums during the 3-day convention, participants heard discussions on digital technology, the mood of Congress, localized power generation, business trends, the federal Clean Power Plan, cyber security, and the “consumers first” business attitude.

North Carolina in the spotlight

Among North Carolina participants in the spotlight were Roanoke Electric’s CEO Curtis Wynn, an NRECA board member, who was elected secretary-treasurer of the national association’s board. He also joined a panel to discuss new ways of digital communication. Wynn has represented North Carolina on the national board since 2007. He also served as chairman of the board’s Education, Research and Training Committee.

DeLance Stephens, a Cumberland County student sponsored by South River EMC on the 2014 Rural Electric Youth Tour to Washington, delivered the invocation to open the first day of the NRECA meeting and staffed a Congressional action project. Piedmont EMC’s board chairman Bill Barber and president and CEO Randy Brecheisen were featured on a panel that focused on CEO performance. Blue Ridge Electric’s CEO Doug Johnson, recognized earlier this year with NRECA’s top prize for communications by a CEO, was the featured speaker at a forum on strategic and effective communications. 

Representing North Carolina and regional cooperatives on standing national committees are Randolph EMC’s CEO Dale Lambert, Legislative Committee; and Pee Dee EMC’s CEO Donnie Spivey, Regulatory Committee.

During the meeting, the following North Carolina cooperatives received the Certificate of Achievement for their safety records: Albemarle EMC, Brunswick EMC, Carteret-Craven Electric, Central EMC, Edgecombe-Martin County EMC, EnergyUnited, Four County EMC, Pitt & Greene EMC, Randolph EMC, South River EMC, Surry-Yadkin EMC, Tideland EMC, Tri-County EMC and Union Power Cooperative.