It was such a joy to see so many of you at our Drive-Through Annual Meeting last month. More than 700 members came through the line, and I had the honor of greeting nearly every one. As the employees at REMC are learning quickly (since they’ve heard me say it so many times), I believe in the power of telling our story, and this year’s Annual Meeting has its own story that I’d like to share with you this month.

Hosting a drive-through event instead of a traditional indoor event was not an easy decision, and could have led to a lackluster experience, marked by the sadness of surrendering to COVID’s threats for the third year in a row. 

But instead, what I saw on April 2 was a team of employees and directors who made the best of a tough situation, creating an event that was smooth, engaging and light-hearted. I saw 700 members who were willing to spend up to 30 minutes in line, not just to pick up an REMC lantern/flashlight, but also to tell us their own stories from the last two years. I saw directors catching up with friends and neighbors they haven’t seen nearly enough of lately. I saw candidates waving and smiling at cars as they passed, and treating one another with respect and kindness, a rare feature in elections these days. 

More than anything I saw a community come together to exercise that most precious and distinctive power of a cooperative: voting for your leaders.

It’s been a few weeks since the meeting and I’m still smiling, proud of what we accomplished together, and proud to serve the member-owners of Clark County REMC.

Q&A

Favorite quote?

“Don’t be lazy and make judgments about people. Be kind. Ask about their stories. Listen. Be humble. Be open. Be teachable. Be a good neighbor.” —Marcandangel        

What is your leadership philosophy?

Be open and honest. Communicate and build on positivity. Uplift and empower. Set clear expectations. 

Hold yourself accountable.

What’s on your bucket list?

Being able to fulfill something on someone else’s bucket list.

What are you most thankful for?

To have such a supportive family that continues to stand by my side. To work with such an amazing staff that is 100% member-focused. Living each day with the seven cooperative principles as guidance.

Takeaways from the first four months on the job?

I feel like I’ve won the lottery! I can’t speak highly enough of the staff and directors at REMC. Everyone is rowing in the same direction, with the members’ best interest at the forefront of each decision. I look forward to what each day presents!