NC Co-op Leaders Meet Virtually for 2021 Annual Meeting

In April, more than 330 electric co-op leaders from across the state met virtually for the 2021 Statewide Annual Meeting of North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. The event provided an opportunity to discuss both the challenges of the pandemic and the promise of new days ahead. It centered around the meeting theme: “Building a Brighter Future.”

“Together, we are striving toward a Brighter Energy Future: To find new ways to generate low-carbon electricity; to deploy technology to make our systems more flexible and responsive; to work with members to utilize electricity in new ways to benefit both end-users and the co-op."

Joe Brannan, executive vice president and CEO for North Carolina’ Electric Cooperatives, kicked off the meeting by addressing that theme and the electric co-op initiatives it represents.

“Together, we are striving toward a Brighter Energy Future: To find new ways to generate low-carbon electricity; to deploy technology to make our systems more flexible and responsive; to work with members to utilize electricity in new ways to benefit both end-users and the co-op,” Brannan said. “What we have lined up at this annual meeting will hopefully continue to spark some ideas on what we need to do next to achieve this potential.”

Keynote speaker and marketing consultant Kelly McDonald discussed how co-op leaders can engage with employees and members during a new, developing phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Lead with optimism,” McDonald said. “Because that is the foundation of hope. But also, couple it with transparency. If you have hope and transparency, it fosters trust — and that’s what’s going to take you through.”

Who’s Who at the Annual Meeting

STATEWIDE LEADERS

The following were elected to 2021–2022 board leadership positions:

NCEMC (power supply)
President Greg Puckett, Surry-Yadkin EMC; Vice President Susan Flythe, Cape Hatteras EC; Secretary-Treasurer Greg Andress, Union Power Cooperative.

NCAEC (co-op services)
President Suzy Morgan, Wake Electric;
Vice President Tom Batchelor, Haywood EMC; Secretary-Treasurer Richard Midgett, Cape Hatteras EC.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS

The North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives awards scholarships each year to Youth Tour participants from the past year:

• Tyler Gupton (Roanoke Electric) received the Katie Bunch Memorial Scholarship.
• Ashley Behringer (Piedmont Electric) received the
  Gwyn B. Price Memorial Scholarship.
• Shivalee Patel (Union Power Cooperative) received the
  Youth Leadership Council Scholarship.
  Alex Scruggs (Randolph EMC) received the Youth Leadership Council Scholarship.