NC Safety Leader Receives National Honor

Farris Leonard (center) was presented the award by North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives’ Senior Vice President and COO Nelle Hotchkiss (left) and CEO Joe Brannan.

Farris Leonard, manager of Job Training & Safety Field Services for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, was recently awarded the H.C. Potthast Award by his peers. The national award was first given in 1972 in memory of the late Herman C. Potthast, who exemplified the qualities of dedication, leadership, cooperation and service. Members of the National Utility Training & Safety Education Association who live out the qualities demonstrated by Potthast are recognized with the prestigious award.

“Someone once asked me what I thought made a good Cooperative Safety Professional. After some contemplation, a very simple answer came to mind for a very complex question: ‘You must care,’ ” said Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation Manager of Safety Dana Mauldin on recommending Leonard for the award.

“After 20 years of being a cooperative safety person, I know no one who cares more than Farris or anyone who represents this ethos any better.”

Leonard got his start with electric cooperatives at Four County EMC, where he served as director of Safety Training and Loss Control for eight years. He joined North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives in 2007, where he has held the roles of Job Training & Safety specialist and manager of Job Training & Safety Field Services.

“I am truly honored by being selected as the recipient of this award,” Leonard said. “Even though this is an individual award, I recognize there are many past recipients listed on the plaque who were my mentors for the last 20 years. Also, I am thankful for the numerous individuals who have shared their expertise and time with me — without them, this would not have been possible.”