Nearly 36 years ago, I was given the opportunity to begin employment at the REMC.  Like many new employees hired at the REMC, I had no idea that I would be working with the same company for so many years.  Originally, I thought I would work at the REMC for 3-5 years and then move my career forward with some other corporation. So why have I and so many other employees stayed at the REMC for 25 or more years?

There are many reasons! 

The convenience — It’s so nice to drive 15-30 minutes to get to work and see little, if any, traffic.  

We are fortunate to work in the same community that we reside in or where many were born and raised.  

Working with a skilled work force day in and day out. 

The compensation and benefits are at or above market rates.

A board of directors that grants us the funds needed to buy the tools we need to keep the cooperative moving in a positive direction. 

It is fulfilling to make a difference in the lives of all members here in our local community. Members need REMC electricity, but to make all that work takes a group of very dedicated employees who understand what members need and who try their best to be successful at that endeavor 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  

For me and many others, the REMC has provided an opportunity for growth in the company. I started out as a staff assistant, then moved to an office manager position and then to a business manager position. For the last 12 plus years, I’ve worked as the CEO. Over the past few years, we’ve had employee turnover due to retirements and other openings, but we have also had many promotions. We have recently had several existing employees move up to new positions such as…

• Line Foreman Rodney Cecil
• Working Foreman Bob Sharp
• Operations Manager Brandon Pace
• Staking Engineer Cody Hussung
• Lead Staking Engineer Jason Flock
• Contractor Management Perry Fraze
• Communication Manager and Member Service Supervisor Cathy Racicot
• Accounting and Work Order Processes Rebecca Hughes
• Lead Member Service Representative Brandi Cannon

Now all that news about opportunity is great, but those dedicated employees mentioned above earned their positions by understanding that their roles are very important and carry a great deal of responsibility. 

They and their fellow employees take great care to ensure the following duties are carried out efficiently and safely and to the best of their abilities — sending out timely electric bills, offering services that save energy and money, ensuring REMC bills are paid and finances managed effectively, and last but not least, that we keep those lights on with good construction and maintenance programs, along with safe and timely restoration efforts for when the lights do go out!  

The responsibilities of working at the REMC are immense and we do not take them lightly. Those responsibilities can take on an added layer of stress when you live in the same area we serve along with all your own friends, neighbors, and relatives. However, we do our best work when faced with additional stress, and we always strive to do our best for this community!

I must give a very big thank you to the staff at the REMC. Together, we have made Harrison REMC a very good cooperative. We have some of the lowest rates in the Hoosier Energy network and in Indiana. We have a very good power reliability record, and our safety culture is second to none and is always working to improve.Our employees genuinely want to help members and make the cooperative the best place it can be.

In closing, I just want to say that the REMC is not perfect, but it has been such a good place for me and many others over the years to work. We have a purpose to keep your day moving forward, and we take our role in your life very seriously. Thanks for reading!

David Lett
CEO, Harrison REMC

Hired at the REMC: November 1985

Promoted to CEO: May 2008

Education: Lanesville High School graduate. B.S. Business Management – Indiana University Southeast. Masters of Marketing and Management – Webster University (Jeffersonville).

Organizations: Corydon Rotary Club; Home Mutual Insurance Board, vice president; Federal Rural Insurance board, director; Harrison County Economic Development Board, chairman

Age: 59