A special presentation was made during the 2017 Statewide Annual Meetings by North Carolina Utilities Commission Chairman Edward Finley — a surprise to attendees including Bob Schwentker, senior vice president and general counsel for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. On behalf of Gov. Roy Cooper, Finley named Schwentker to The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

“This is among the most prestigious awards conferred by the governor of North Carolina, and is only awarded to persons for exemplary service to the state of North Carolina and its communities that is above and beyond the call of duty,” Finley said.

Schwentker, who earned a law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, began his initial service to electric co-ops at the law firm of Crisp, Davis, Schwentker, Page & Currin in Raleigh. He then joined North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, where he has served as a key resource for legal, legislative, finance and compliance initiatives since 1992.

At the national level, he has conducted annual legal seminars for electric co-ops across the country. Schwentker also is a founding member of the Electric Cooperative Bar Association, created as a forum for electric co-op attorneys to tap into the collective expertise of colleagues nationwide.

Following the annual meeting, Schwentker retired after a full career serving electric cooperatives and their members spanning four decades.

“The co-op model is one to be treasured, because it is really focused on individuals,” Schwentker said. “There’s a strength that exists — a genuine caring about individuals that pervades at every level. That’s what I’ll miss most. I have truly enjoyed working with the people across the electric co-op network.”