Randolph EMC’s Dale Lambert Retires After Decades of Service

Dale Lambert greets a member at the co-op’s recent annual meeting.

Randolph EMC CEO Dale Lambert retired on June 28 after almost 40 years at the Asheboro-based electric cooperative. Lambert began his tenure as CEO in 2000, serving members in parts of Alamance, Chatham, Montgomery, Moore and Randolph counties.

Lambert grew up in rural central North Carolina and remembers attending Randolph EMC annual meetings as a child. He began his career with the co-op as an apprentice lineman in 1984, building on his experience to take on roles as lineman, journeyman lineman and district manager of the Robbins office.

From when he pulled into the old Robbins office parking lot on his first day in October 1984, to when he switched off his office light for the last time on June 28, Lambert always put the needs of co-op members first.

"It has been an honor that is beyond words.”

“I want to thank the membership for their support throughout my career,” Lambert said. “I have been blessed beyond measure to have enjoyed a small part of the journey with you for these last 40 years. It has been an honor that is beyond words.”

During his tenure, the co-op has embraced new technologies, elevated member experiences, and championed the tenets of providing reliable, affordable, safe and sustainable power to members. Lambert always put an emphasis on employee safety through restoration efforts following severe storms and other outage events.

“The board of directors is thankful for Dale’s faithfulness to his calling here at Randolph Electric,” said Randolph EMC Board President Tammie Phillips. “Through devastating storms, during financially uncertain times and during good times, Dale has been a reliable, trustworthy and caring leader motivated by his devotion to the cooperative and its members.”

Lambert also supported the electric cooperative network through regional and national leadership roles, including an appointment from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association to serve on Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange’s Serious Injury and Fatality Advisory Committee. He made an indelible impact at the state level and beyond through his commitment to the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center, providing leadership on its advisory committee to support the Chapel Hill-based facility in becoming one of the leading comprehensive burn centers in the world. Lambert also serves his local community through involvement with the Asheboro Rotary Club and Beulah Baptist Church.

(Left to right) Dennis Mabe, Tammie Phillips and Dale Lambert.

Long-time Randolph EMC employee Dennis Mabe was selected by the co-op’s board of directors to serve as CEO following Lambert’s retirement. Mabe began his career at Randolph EMC in 1993 as a meter reader. In the decades since, he has held various leadership positions such as electrical engineer, system planning engineer, manager of operations and vice president of engineering and operations. He most recently served as chief operating officer.

“I extend my deepest gratitude to Dale Lambert for his leadership and guidance throughout my time here at Randolph EMC,” Mabe said. “His legacy is a strong foundation from which we will continue to grow with optimism and a renewed commitment to excellence.”