2023 TECA Annual Meeting focuses on future

NASHVILLE – The 82nd  annual meeting of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association was held Sunday, Nov. 19, through Tuesday, Nov. 21, in Nashville. The theme of the event was “Co-ops Connect Today and Tomorrow,” and more than 350 electric cooperative leaders from across the state were present to consider how the actions of today can impact communities tomorrow.

“This event was an outstanding opportunity for co-op leaders to learn more about topics facing their co-ops,” said Mike Knotts, CEO of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. “We challenged our attendees to cast aside preexisting notions of what an electric co-op does and to truly focus on meeting the current and future needs of their communities.”

Elections were also held for three positions on the association’s board of trustees. John Bowers, a manager for Pickwick Electric Cooperative in Selmer; Dion Cooper, CEO of Volunteer Energy Cooperative in Decatur; and Dana Salters, a director for Duck River Electric Membership Corporation in Shelbyville were elected to four-year terms.

Dan Rodamaker, president and CEO of Gibson Electric Membership Corporation in Trenton, was elected to serve as chairman of the association’s board of trustees. John Bowers was elected to serve as vice president.

“We appreciate the leadership that these individuals provide,” says Knotts. “Tennessee’s co-ops will be well-served thanks to their ideas and insights.”

TECA recognized excellence in communication efforts during the annual TopTenn Communications Awards ceremony. Gibson Electric Membership Corporation received an award for Best External Newsletter or Magazine Section; Appalachian Electric Cooperative, Best Internal Newsletter; Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative, Best Website; Gibson Electric Membership Corporation, Best Use of Social Media; Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation, Best Video; Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative and Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative, Best Photo; Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, Best Annual Report; Middle Tennessee Electric, Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative and Appalachian Electric Cooperative each received awards in the Wild Card category.

“We’re excited to honor the exceptional work of these cooperatives,” says Trent Scott, TECA’s vice president of communications. “Congratulations to these co-ops whose outstanding communication efforts help them connect with their consumers in a meaningful way.”

Electric cooperatives serve more than 3 million consumers and 72 percent of Tennessee. The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association provides leadership, advocacy and support for the association’s 25 electric cooperatives and publishes The Tennessee Magazine, the state’s most widely circulated periodical. Visit tnelectric.org or tnmagazine.org to learn more.