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Tennessee Co-ops Award $17,000 in Scholarships to Youth Tour Students in D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tennessee’s electric cooperatives awarded $17,000 in scholarships tonight to standout students participating in the 2025 Washington Youth Tour.

Olivia Griffin, a high school senior sponsored by Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation, received the $10,000 Cooperative Youth Ambassador Scholarship. The award goes to a former Youth Tour delegate who remains active with their local electric cooperative and completes a series of community service projects during their senior year. Griffin’s name was randomly selected from a pool of eligible delegates across the state.

Nila Parrott of Appalachian Electric Cooperative earned first place and a $3,000 scholarship, while Cam Stanley of Caney Fork Electric Cooperative received second place and a $2,000 scholarship in this year’s Washington Youth Tour writing contest. Claire Bradford of Fayetteville Public Utilities and Else Spraggins of Middle Tennessee Electric tied for third place, each receiving a $1,000 award. The scholarships are given in memory of Robert McCarty, a beloved employee of Volunteer Energy Cooperative and long-time Youth Tour chaperone who passed away in 2015. His legacy of mentorship and encouragement lives on through this recognition of outstanding student writing. Their original stories, selected from thousands of entries across the state, explored the theme “Electric Cooperatives: Energizing Every Moment.”

Also announced this evening was Tennessee’s representative to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Leadership Council. Luke Morris, a delegate from Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative, was selected for the honor and will represent the state at NRECA’s 2026 PowerXchange in Nashville.

“The Washington Youth Tour showcases the leadership, creativity and potential of these remarkable students,” said BJ Bernard, Youth Tour director and vice president of member services for the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. “By investing in them today, electric cooperatives are helping build a stronger Tennessee for tomorrow. These scholarships are more than awards — they’re a reflection of our commitment to education, service and community.”

This week, 132 high school juniors from across Tennessee are exploring Washington, D.C., as part of the 2025 Washington Youth Tour. The week-long experience, organized by local electric co-ops, the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association and NRECA, introduces students to the nation’s history, government and the role of electric cooperatives.

Laura Beth Laden, co-director of the trip, reflected on the impact of the week. “The students on this year’s tour have impressed us with their curiosity, kindness and leadership,” said Laden. “They’ve engaged deeply in every opportunity — from learning about our nation’s history to building lasting friendships. It’s inspiring to watch them grow, and it gives us all hope for the future.”

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People Behind the Power – Meet Brandon Rigsby

Tennessee electric cooperatives power the state. Co-ops provide for 3 million Tennesseans —that’s 72% of the state’s landmass and 41% of the state’s population. That power wouldn’t be possible though without the employees, lineworkers and board members across the 23 cooperatives. Brandon Rigsby is one of the people behind that power.

Rigsby lives in Kempville in Smith County. He began his journey with Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation at the young age of 19. Almost 26 years later, he serves as a line foreman for the co-op’s Carthage District Office. In that role, Rigsby leads a construction crew that builds and maintains power lines.

“This is a great job as far as pay and benefits,” Rigsby said. “But on the other side of that, we work for members. We are supplying those members with the power they need, and that is what’s most rewarding.”

The crew Rigsby leads also helps a great deal during storm reconstruction, which is one of the tasks he enjoys most on the job.

Rigsby, his wife and three children

“I love going to storm restorations so that we can help people and other co-ops,” Rigsby said. “You know a time will come when we need the help in return, and it’s very nice to see other lineworkers roll in to help us. It’s a blessing that does me good.”

Aside from his work at the co-op, Rigsby has been married for 24 years, and the two have three children together. It’s a busy time for their family as their daughter just graduated from Western Kentucky University and has plans to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Tennessee in the fall. Their middle son plays basketball at Cumberland University. Their youngest son is in high school, and he plays basketball and baseball.

On top of all the fun, family excitement, Rigsby still finds time to serve on not one but two first responder teams in the community. He joined the Defeated Creek Volunteer Fire Department in 2012. The department is entirely made up of volunteers, and they go on about 20 fire calls a year for their community of about 1,500 people.

“I do this for the little community I live in just as an effort to give back,” Rigsby said. “We’re usually the ones there on people’s worst day of their life. So, it is kind of hard seeing people lose everything they have, but it is also so rewarding helping them salvage and save what they can.”

Rigsby is also on the Smith County Rescue Squad, another team that is completely made up of volunteers. They respond to various calls including vehicle wrecks, search and rescues and water rescues as many in the community enjoy the Caney Fork River. Rigsby is even certified for technical rope rescue.

“This is another way I can give back to my community by being there at people’s worst time to help them out,” Rigsby said. “I don’t do it for any kind of recognition. I’m just big on helping people when they need it most.”

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TECA named as one of the largest business advocacy groups in Nashville

Nashville Business Journal

The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association is honored to be recognized as one of the largest business advocacy groups in Nashville by the Nashville Business Journal. TECA was ranked No. 9 out of 25 business advocacy groups in the Nashville area with a revenue of $8.44 million.

“We are excited to be recognized as one of the largest business advocacy groups by the Nashville Business Journal,” said Mike Knotts, TECA’s CEO. “This acknowledgment reflects the dedication of our team and the vital role electric cooperatives play in powering Tennessee’s progress. We’re committed to advocating on behalf of our members and communities, and we remain devoted to ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met.”

Also among the list are the National Federation of Independent Business Inc. in first place with $113.3 million, the Academy of Country Music in seventh place with $11.53 million and the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts in 11thplace with $5.51 million.

The list ranks the groups based off revenue from the most recent fiscal year available from Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson counties. Information was obtained from individual organization’s Form 990s through ProPublica and organization websites. Financial figures are for the most recent of the three past fiscal years available for the organization. Only 501(c)(6) organizations are included.

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The power of the cooperative community

Excellent communication, community support and the power of the cooperative community all led 5,000 Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative members to regain power within 12 hours after a substation fire.

“This is not a situation we have faced before, but I could not have been prouder of our team as things unfolded throughout the day,” said Keith Carnahan, MLEC’s president and CEO.

MLEC has been working to upgrade the reliability and capacity of their Hilltop Substation in Hickman County. On Thursday, April 24, some co-op employees along with a third-party contractor were working inside the substation when a fire broke out around 9:30 a.m. The crew acted and removed the injured contractor from the substation to a safe area. MLEC’s district 1 manager, Matthew Chessor, and local emergency responders were alerted immediately. Chessor called the Tennessee Valley Authority for assistance with disconnecting power to the substation. MLEC confirmed via phone with two different TVA sources that the substation no longer had power before emergency responders began addressing the fire. The co-op, volunteer fire department and City of Centerville Fire Department were able to determine the fire was contained to one portion of the substation, meaning the firefighters could enter and begin spraying the fire with foam. The fire was extinguished at approximately 10:50 a.m. With precautions, MLEC’s crew was able to re-enter the substation to begin assessing damage. Power for almost all 5,000 affected members was rerouted to a different substation in the county. By 11 p.m. the same night, all the MLEC members who lost power that morning had their lights back on as the Hilltop Substation was operational again.

The third-party contractor was hospitalized overnight for observation but was released shortly after with no burns or damage to his lungs. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but MLEC believes it was ignited by oil spraying on a hot surface. Due to the fire, a MLEC bucket truck and the contractor’s truck were total losses. MLEC also experienced damage to substation equipment. The fire and the damage are not the focus though — it’s how fast MLEC, the first responders, the community and another co-op responded in the situation that is worth noting.

Throughout the entire day, MLEC’s communication team was in constant contact with Carnahan, Chessor and the members being impacted. This allowed the most timely and accurate information to be shared throughout the co-op and to the members. Through social media, the team provided numerous updates to keep the co-op community informed about what was happening and what to expect next. They even created a map to show who was being impacted by the outage. A request was shared for the members to conserve energy to help stabilize the system until everything was back up and running. The co-op communicators even reacted or responded to every comment on social media, showing their concern for and dedication to their community.

First responders were of course ready at the scene when given the go ahead to put out the fire. A community resident driving by stopped and offered his drone for use so MLEC and the firefighters could do a visual fly over to see how widespread the fire was. This act of kindness allowed everyone to better understand what they were dealing with and ultimately make the right decisions for everyone’s safety. Middle Tennessee Electric even lent a helping hand and truly demonstrated the principle of “Cooperation Among Cooperatives”. The co-op provided substation breakers to replace ones damaged in the fire, allowing MLEC to restore power to their members.

 “As the situation progressed, I was reminded of the importance of good community and cooperative connections,” Carnahan said. “Established relationships with local emergency responders, other cooperatives like MTE, TVA and our members helped the situation have a much better outcome than it could have been.”

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A conference for everyone

23 electric cooperatives attended four separate conferences in three different cities all in one month. Needless to say, April was a busy month for Tennessee’s electric co-ops. The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association hosted four conferences within four weeks in an effort to bring likeminded workers in the same room to network, learn and grow together.

The Administrative Professionals and Human Resources Conference and Employment Law Workshop was held in Florence, Alabama, on April 2 through April 4. Attendees met at the Renaissance Shoals Resort and Spa for three days of networking and learning. Wednesday was spent diving into employment law. On Thursday, the group learned how to be aware and respond to active shooter threats, how to not panic during presentations and how to best use TECA’s website. Friday the group received an update on both Homestead Funds and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s retirement plans. The meeting concluded with tips and tricks on how to balance work and life.

“The Administrative and HR Conference is always a great time to meet with others who all do similar tasks at the office,” said Tina Smith, TECA’s executive assistant. “I always find the three days a great time to reset and learn from fellow co-ops how we can do what we do better and more efficiently.”

Co-op leaders and employees gathered at TECA’s home office in Nashville for the IT & Cybersecurity Conference on April 16 and April 17. For the second year of the meeting, participants were able to not only learn from one another but also experts in the industry from Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange, NRECA, Central Service Association, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and Tennessee Valley Authority. Topics of discussion included cyber insurance, cybersecurity risks, resources and opportunities and protecting OT environment for SCADA. It was TECA’s digital media manager, Joel Norris’, first time attending and helping put together the conference and he had nothing but positive reflections.

“It was great finally putting faces to names, and getting to hear straight from the NRECA on their TAC platform was a real highlight,” Norris said. “All the presenters brought their A game, and the variety kept things interesting. Just a solid, all-around good time.”

Co-op communicators traveled to Pigeon Forge for the annual TennComm Conference on April 22 through April 25. Those in attendance were able to participate in preconference networking opportunities including golf at Island Pointe Golf Club in Kodak, a photo safari with award-winning photographer and former The Tennessee Magazine editor, Robin Conover, and duckpin bowling at the Lodge at Camp Margaritaville. Conference sessions began on Wednesday with presentations over how electric co-ops are still relevant in 2025 and some techniques to bringing the best to work every day. On Thursday, communicators learned lessons in co-op governance and transparency, heard from panels about the future of youth programs and members’ perception of the co-op and updates from The Tennessee Magazine and TECA’s government affairs team. The day concluded with breakout sessions over Canva, A.I. and TVA’s EnergyRight Programs. Friday the meeting wrapped up with tips on how to elevate a co-op’s web presence, strategies to maximize productivity through time management and storytelling in the digital age with none other than Matt Mitchell. Mitchell is the star of a viral video series that has over 2 billion views on Facebook and YouTube.

“The 2025 TennComm Conference was an opportunity to strengthen skills, build connections and reaffirm the critical role of communication in our industry,” said Trent Scott, TECA’s vice president of communications. “We are grateful to our speakers for sharing their thoughts, to the planning committee for their hard work behind the scenes and to every attendee who took the time to invest in themselves and their co-op.”

Also in Pigeon Forge, co-op finance specialists met at the same time for their Accounting Conference on April 24 and April 25. Attendees gathered at the Courtyard Pigeon Forge for networking opportunities and continuing education credits. The agenda included updates from TECA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, Ryan King, TECA’s CEO, Mike Knotts, National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, CoBank, TVA and NRECA. Presentations were also given over cybersecurity and A.I. concerns, strategic reorganization for finance departments, utility risk management and employee retention truths.

“Here at TECA, we are proud to help accountants not only continue their education but also be the most up to date on everything across the industry,” said Kayla Gladden, TECA’s director of finance and administration. “This year the conference allowed us to do just that while also learning from others about their workflow and success.”

TECA hopes all co-op leaders and employees will make plans to attend these meetings in the years to come and the team looks forward to another busy month in June with Summer Managers Conference and Board Meeting, Washington Youth Tour and 4-H Electric Camp.

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Co-op leaders meet with DC lawmakers

Leaders from Tennessee’s electric cooperatives traveled to Washington, D.C., on Monday and Tuesday, April 28 and 29, to meet with lawmakers and discuss issues that matter to electric co-ops and the communities they serve.

“We were able to advocate for federal legislative and executive branch policies that benefit electric cooperatives and the people they serve,” said Ryan King, TECA’s vice president of government affairs.

More than 50 co-op board members, directors and CEOs from the Volunteer State attended the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s annual legislative conference — a time where electric cooperative leaders gather from around the country to hear from members of Congress and administrative officials and to discuss timely and pressing legislative issues affecting electric co-ops and their member-owners. Attendees heard updates from leaders at NRECA including board president Mike Partin of Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative in South Pittsburg, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer as well as senators and members of the house of representatives.

“This is the only NRECA conference all year that provides the opportunity to hear from key government officials, then engage directly with your representatives in Congress,” King said.

Meetings were held with Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty along with members of Congress from across the state. During these meetings, co-op leaders discussed issues that have a direct impact on Tennessee co-ops and the consumers they serve, including permitting reform, EPA regulations, federal infrastructure programs, TVA board appointments and the future of nuclear power. Lawmakers were also invited to visit their local co-ops to meet employees, attend annual meetings or tour co-op facilities.

“With new leadership in the White House and Congress, this was a great chance to create new relationships while cementing the ones we’ve had through the years,” King said.

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People Behind the Power – Meet Kelly White

Tennessee electric cooperatives power the state. Co-ops provide for 3 million Tennesseans —that’s 72% of the state’s landmass and 41% of the state’s population. That power wouldn’t be possible though without the employees, lineworkers and board members across the 23 cooperatives. Kelly White is one of the people behind that power.

White lives in White Pine in Jefferson County. She worked at Walters State Community College for 20 years before becoming the IT help desk supervisor for Appalachian Electric Cooperative. She has served in that role for four years now and helps maintain everything electronic at the co-op, from security to computers to even the iPads that are sent out into the field with the lineworkers.

“It is amazing here at AEC,” White said. “I knew when I got here that it was where I was supposed to be. We have such a warm family environment, and I love knowing that we are helping our community.”

Aside from her work at the co-op, White has been married for 31 years, and they together have two sons, a daughter and two grandchildren with another on the way. The family works together at Mobile Lifehouse Ministries, a nonprofit organization they created in 2018 after noticing the lack of food available for those in need in their county and the ones surrounding them. White serves as the president of the ministry.

“The name Mobile Lifehouse Ministries is unique because of its meaning,” White said. “‘Mobile’ is because we knew God’s plan for us was to be able to take it where we needed it. ‘Lifehouse’ is because we can take this, shine a light and help somebody’s life, just like a lighthouse would and that’s why the lighthouse became our icon.”

What started as the family gathering their own money and buying groceries for those in need has grown to so much more. Now, Mobile Lifehouse Ministries hosts a pantry once a month at Jefferson Middle School. Before the “shopping” commences, leaders from nearby churches host a small worship service and provide a hot meal. Then, people from all around can get food, gently used or new clothing and encouragement they need. Everything available has been donated and organized by people, businesses and churches in the community.

“Once I saw the need was there, I felt like that’s where God wanted me to be,” White said. “That need and my passion have continued to grow since.”

Every November before the Thanksgiving holiday, AEC participates in Mobile Lifehouse Ministries. Employees, board members and lineworkers from the cooperative all work together to organize and host the mobile pantry.

“It puts everything I love together,” White said. “That day brings together my family, ministry and AEC all in one place to help our community.”

On top of the monthly pantry, Mobile Lifehouse Ministries is also set up to provide food throughout the week to those in need. White herself along with other volunteers in the community delivers food to more than 50 homes each month to veterans, elders and shut-ins.

“This has all been such a Godsend,” White said. “It’s such a blessing to be able to share and it really makes you realize how fortunate you are. It makes you want to treat people a little better because you never know what they are going through.”

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A morning of prayer and worship

King and his two children on stage at the 51st Tennessee Prayer Breakfast.

Leaders from across Tennessee gathered for the 51st annual Tennessee Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, March 13, at Lipscomb University. The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association was a proud attendee and sponsor of the event. Ryan King, TECA’s vice president of government affairs, served as this year’s chair for the Citizen’s Committee which presents the gathering each year.

“The prayers we pray today, the wisdom we share and the examples we set will help lay a foundation of faithfulness for the next generation to stand on,” King shared as he welcomed everyone to the event. “My prayer today is that after we leave this breakfast, we will have a heightened vigilance toward pouring into those around us. I also pray that God’s will continues to be done in our great state.”

The breakfast brought together more than 1,000 government officials, business leaders and community members for a morning of worship through music, a short uplifting message and prayer for God’s grace on the state of Tennessee, its elected officials and its citizens.

“As firm believers in the power of prayer, we know that this breakfast has had a profound impact on our state, and we look forward to the days ahead with great hope and trust in the Lord,” Gov. Bill Lee said at the event.

Along with Gov. Lee, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari, House Majority Leader William Lamberth and House Minority Leader Karen Camper led prayer and scripture readings at the event. Others in attendance enjoyed and participated in worship with The Belonging Co., a local Nashville based church, and Danny Gokey, a multi-Grammy nominee and Dove Award winner.

The keynote address was given by James “Coach Ballgame” Lowe, a four-year starter and All Ivy League outfielder at Brown University who is now the lead ambassador for Play Ball at MLB. He shared about the people who invested in him along the way and how the audience can do the same in the future of Tennessee.

“This annual event, which is a longstanding tradition in Tennessee, continues to serve as a bipartisan moment for reflection and unity among the state’s leaders and citizens,” King said.

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Young leaders learn more about leadership and Tennessee government during co-op event

NASHVILLE – 46 high school juniors from across the state were in Nashville this week for the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s annual Youth Leadership Summit. Attendees spent three days networking and gaining leadership, government and cooperative knowledge and skills.  

“The opportunities this trip gave me are ones I’ll never forget,” said Katie Timbs, a junior at Johnson County High School and a YLS delegate from Mountain Electric Cooperative. “I made lifetime friends and learned extremely important lessons. I am forever grateful to TECA for that.” 

During their stay in Nashville, the delegates participated in leadership development activities as well as learned more about what an electric cooperative is and does for a community with expert Amy Gallimore.  

Attendees visited the YMCA Outdoor Center at Camp Widjiwagan for team building and scavenger hunt exercises. While there, they also were able to be a part of electric safety demonstrations with a representative from Tennessee Job Training and Safety. 

Discussions were held over how to meet and greet your state representatives, too. The delegates had the opportunity to put those skills into action at the Tennessee State Capitol with their own representatives and Secretary of State Tre Hargett. While there, students had the chance to meet Gov. Bill Lee. 

“At TECA, we’re all about investing in the future,” said BJ Bernard, TECA’s vice president of member services. “With the Youth Leadership Summit, we want to make a real difference in these young people’s lives, whether that’s socially or just by teaching them how a cooperative works. We hope to be a steppingstone on their path to becoming the next generation of leaders in their communities.” 

The delegates also experienced some Nashville classics like the Goo Goo Cluster Store, the Country Music Hall of Fame and attended an Andy Grammer concert at The Ryman. 

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Partin ascends to President of NRECA

Partin becomes the first Tennessean in 30 years to hold the office of NRECA board president

Today, during the closing session of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s PowerXchange meeting in Atlanta, Mike Partin, president and CEO of Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative in South Pittsburg, received the gavel to began his two-year term as the President of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association board of directors.

“We couldn’t be more proud of Mike,” Michael Jordan, SVEC board chairman, said. “His dedication to not only the members of Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative but those across the nation is inspiring.”

“I am honored to have been elected by my peers to serve as the President,” Partin said. “This is an exciting time for electric cooperatives as we seek innovative ways to meet surging electricity demand and deliver reliable and affordable power to our communities.”

As president, Partin will travel around the country to different statewide organizations to discuss the agenda America’s electric cooperatives have in store, but most importantly, he will be listening to what members, policy makers and stakeholders have to say. “I want to listen to what the folks are saying, because the issues in Idaho are not the same issues that members have in Georgia,” Partin says. “It’s not a cookie-cutter approach for us, with 900 members around the country. Part of what my mission will be is to listen with understanding to the members that depend on us and try to give them the help and the information they need from the national association.”

TECA joined TVA, TVPPA, Quanta, United Utility Supply and Vantage Point to host a reception in Partin’s honor during this week’s PowerXchange.

“Mike Partin is a dedicated leader who has consistently demonstrated his commitment to electric cooperatives and the communities they serve,” said Mike Knotts, CEO, Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. “His election as NRECA board president is a testament to his vision, expertise, and unwavering advocacy for co-ops across the country. As the first Tennessean to hold this position in 30 years, he will represent our state and our members with excellence. We are proud of Mike and look forward to his leadership on the national stage.”

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People Behind the Power – Meet Mitzie Privitt

Tennessee electric cooperatives power the state. Co-ops provide for three million Tennesseans -that’s 72% of the state’s landmass and 41% of the state’s population. That power wouldn’t be possible though without the employees, lineworkers and board members across the 23 cooperatives. Mitzie Privitt is one of the people behind that power.

Privitt is a native of Trenton but has resided in Humboldt for over 30 years. She is the newly named field staking and compliance engineer for Gibson Electric Membership Corporation. Even though she is new to this role, she has had a hand in the utility world for almost three decades. She started out with Humboldt Utilities working in accounting and payroll. In 2007, she made the switch to GEMC and became a dispatcher.

“I instantly fell in love with the whole operation side of the utilities,” Privitt said. “I took it to heart that it was my job to take care of my guys out there, ensuring I had caution orders done correctly and to promptly let them know if something didn’t look right on the system. That way they would be in their safest space to do their work, and I wanted them to have the confidence in me to know that I had their back.”

Privitt felt like in this position she gained a better understanding of how electricity worked, from how its generated to how it goes to homes. In 2018, she took on a new role during the cooperative’s fiber buildout as a GIS fiber mapping techinician. Privitt was able to work hands on with mapping out the build for six years. This year she was promoted to field staking and compliance engineer and is excited to continue her work at the co-op with both electricity and fiber, but most importantly the members.

“Watching our system grow and seeing our customers have things that truly work, everything from reliable electricity to affordable and fast internet,” Privitt said. “Knowing that if you’ve got problems, you can call, get a local person and feel confident that we’re going to fix it.”

Aside from her work at the co-op, Privitt has been married for 28 years, and they together have two children and two grandsons. The family works together at the Humboldt Area Rescue Squad. Privitt’s husband started the all-volunteer squad in 1989. Privitt herself is not a first responder, but she has found a way to still serve.

“I work fundraisers so that they can continue to focus on saving very precious lives,” Privitt said.

On top of her community service and before Privitt made her way to the utility business, she was the official float builder for the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival. At just 22 years old, Privitt was putting her art background to use and making extravagant and beautiful visions come to life for the community’s biggest event. She estimates that she has likely built well over 700 floats in her lifetime so far, with 25 or so coming from her house every year.

Over the years, Privitt has continued being involved with the festival. Last year she served as the general chairman for the event. This year, Privitt is the president of the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival where she oversees little details like the trash cans to scheduling out the big concerts at the event.

“It’s my year to kind of make the final decisions on what we do, what we don’t do, things we love, things we might need to cut back on,” Privitt said.

The West Tennessee Strawberry Festival is an 87-year-old tradition that takes place during the first full week of May. This year from May 4-10, 75,000 friends and neighbors will occupy nine blocks for food, fellowship and entertainment. 36 events will take place over the seven days and there is a committee made up of volunteers for each event. Through her time as general chairman and seeing behind the scenes of the festival, Privitt soon learned how much the community did to make this event a success.

“I just saw the value and number of volunteers that do such good community service through the strawberry festival, and I wanted to recognize that,” Privitt said. “That’s why I chose the theme ‘It’s a Berry Good Life: When our community unites, celebration ignites.”

Rather it be at Gibson Electric, her service through the rescue squad or even spearheading Tennessee’s largest and longest running festival – Privitt loves what she does and considers herself blessed to be able to do it all.

“I just love the fact that I get to be surrounded by so many giving people that just have a servant’s heart,” Privitt said. “It makes me want to be a part of their world and I work every day to do so.”

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Unveiling the newly designed The Tennessee Magazine

This month marks the first edition of the newly designed The Tennessee Magazine. After more than a decade with the same look, the communications team at the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association has chosen to do a redesign of the beloved publication. Almost a year’s worth of thought, planning and research from a small team of writers, editors and designers has led to an incredible design.

“Our last design served us well for more than 12 years, but it’s time for a refresh,” says Chris Kirk, editor of The Tennessee Magazine. “The magazine staff put in lots of extra work in the year-plus we’ve spent on this undertaking. Their input, ideas and perspectives were invaluable to the process.”

From scrutinizing fonts, to tweaking logos to examining column layouts to even strategizing what the magazine means to electric cooperatives and co-op members, no stone – or page that is – has been left unturned when it comes to this new design with the help of Delevante Creative. When the magazine arrives in your mailbox, you will notice the new The Tennessee Magazine logo right off the bat. When you turn the pages, you will instantly see the focus is on delivering a clean design that is easy to read and showcases the stunning photography that accompanies the articles.

“Most important though, the publication is still centered on the same philosophy: important news from your electric cooperative as well as all the really cool stuff that makes Tennessee a great place to live, work and play,” Kirk says. “I’m so proud of the finished product that we’re unveiling in the March issue.”

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Lilly Lankford joins TECA team as finance specialist

Lilly Lankford

The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association is pleased to announce the addition of Lilly Lankford to the finance and administration team as finance specialist. With a rural heritage and experience with office and payroll management, Lankford brings not only knowledge but excitement to the association.

Lankford grew up in Dickson County and is a graduate of Dickson County High School. She gained leadership and public speaking skills through her time serving as the Dickson County FFA president. Also during that time, Lankford built her work ethic as a part time animal health department sales associate at the local United Farm and Home Cooperative. For the past year, she has been working as front officer manager for the Beauford County Farm Bureau in South Carolina as her husband served in the military.

“We are delighted to welcome Lilly Lankford to our team,” said Kayla Gladden, director of finance and administration for TECA. “Lilly understands and appreciates co-ops and the rural way of life. Most importantly, though, she is eager to learn, engage and help carry out the essential functions that make this association the best it can be.”

In this new role, Lankford will manage incoming and outgoing financial transactions, ensure accuracy and maintain up to date records for TECA.

“I am excited to be starting my career at TECA,” Lankford said. “Cooperatives are such an important part of rural communities, just like the one I grew up in. I am happy to be working in support of something that makes such a better life for all Tennesseans.”

Lankford will graduate in December from Austin Peay State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing. She and her husband, Thomas, make their home in Charlotte.

Electric cooperatives serve more than 3 million consumers and 72% of Tennessee. The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association provides leadership, advocacy and support for Tennessee’s 23 electric cooperatives and publishes The Tennessee Magazine, the state’s most widely circulated monthly periodical. Visit tnelectric.org or tnmagazine.org to learn more.

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Electric co-ops learn and share with legislators during day on the hill

NASHVILLE – More than 100 electric cooperative leaders from across the state braved frigid temperatures and snowfall to gather in Nashville on Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 18 and 19, for the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s Legislative Conference. Co-op members and employees joined together at the Doubletree Nashville Downtown to learn more about and discuss the pressing issues impacting the communities they serve.

Attendees at the event on Tuesday heard from Josh Thomas, president and founder of Parthenon Strategies, a Nashville-based political and public affairs firm, with an update on the most recent election and a look at what’s to come in 2025. Two panel discussions were also held. One with four women lobbyists who shared their stories on what led them to where they are today. A second panel discussion focused on Tennessee Department of Transportation and how road projects impact electric utilities.

“In order to successfully serve our communities, it is important to fully understand the impact of proposed legislation and simply what’s to come in the political environment,” says Ryan King, vice president of government affairs for TECA. “It is critical that we monitor the impacts of legislation and regulatory actions in order to remain good stewards of the resources with which we have been entrusted.”

On Wednesday, co-op leaders were still able to meet with their legislators in the Cordell Hull State Office Building to stress the important role co-ops play in their communities and provide input on issues that matter to their service areas.

“One of the many strengths of electric cooperatives is the commitment to advocate for the communities we serve,” says Dan Rodamaker, President and CEO of Gibson Electric and chairman of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association Board of Trustees. “I appreciate the co-op leaders who took the time to visit with legislators, ensuring they understand the unique challenges and opportunities facing rural and suburban Tennessee. These conversations are essential to shaping policies that protect reliable, affordable energy and strengthen the communities we power.”

TECA’s day on the hill wrapped up with King along with Chris Jones, CEO of from Middle Tennessee Electric, and Mike Partin, CEO of Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative, representing co-ops across the state during the House Business and Utilities Subcommittee. All three testified on the health of Tennessee’s electric cooperatives.

The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association provides leadership, advocacy and support for Tennessee’s 23 electric cooperatives and 3 million consumers. The association also publishes The Tennessee Magazine, the state’s most widely circulated periodical. Visit tnelectric.org or tnmagazine.org to learn more.

Video of electric co-op testimony to the House Business and Utilities Subcommittee

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Knotts addresses TVA board

Knoxville, TN – Today the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors held a public listening session at the TVA Knoxville office complex. Mike Knotts, CEO of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, addressed the board during the listening session, and a readout of his comments is below.

TVA | Knoxville, TN | 2:00 p.m. EST

 

Good afternoon. My name is Mike Knotts, and I serve as the CEO of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association.

I appear today on behalf of 25 distribution utilities who rely upon TVA to supply wholesale energy, manage the transmission grid, and ensure the power flows on the coldest of winter mornings and the hottest summer afternoons.

The power bills paid by TECA members make up nearly 25 percent of TVA revenues – almost $3 billion per year. For each cooperative, the wholesale power bill they pay constitutes between 70-80 percent of their total revenue.

I don’t know of another business in which a single input cost from a single vendor affects a company’s financial health more significantly. Because of this, co-ops have more than just an incentive to see TVA operate efficiently and effectively. It is essential to our purpose.

I believe it is a good reminder to share with you that while electric co-ops share in TVA’s mission of the “three E’s” – energy, economic development, and environmental stewardship – we are different from municipal utilities and TVA itself, in that we are not units of government. Cooperatives are private sector, not-for-profit companies that are owned by their consumer-members.

Therefore, our policies are set by independent Boards of Directors who are elected by the company’s members – not by City Councils or political figures.

And that is where we are most alike. Because of this governance structure and the fiduciary duty you both share to make decisions that are in the public interest, co-op board members understand the monumental importance of undertaking a Board’s most important singular decision – hiring a new Chief Executive Officer.

As you undertake the process to make that decision for TVA, your choice for appointing this very important position will have lasting impacts on the entire Tennessee Valley region. Strong leadership skills and relevant professional knowledge and experience are paramount for TVA’s next leader.

But cooperatives believe that experience in and commitment to TVA’s one-of-a-kind mission is more important. More than any consultant you may hire, co-ops understand this unique mission of providing power at the lowest feasible cost for the benefit of the communities they serve. That mission is who we are, not just what we do each day.

Investor-owned utilities exist for very different purposes, and their incentives for performance do not always align with the unique mission of TVA. We believe that dedication to a mission of service will best equip the next CEO to understand and successfully lead TVA’s unique structure and shape its culture.

And we can help you identify that background and dedication, because we see it every day.

So, it is our request that the Board would carefully consider input from TVA’s private sector, not-for-profit electric cooperatives. Our non-government status and focus on people and service give us a unique perspective among TVA’s stakeholders, and we stand ready to assist you.

 

 

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Jones provides testimony to House Homeland Security Committee

Today Chris Jones from Middle Tennessee Electric submitted testimony to the House Homeland Security Committee regarding the shortage of cyber security professionals in rural America.

“As cyber threats grow more complex and prevalent, particularly those targeting critical infrastructure like electric utilities, the demand for cybersecurity professionals will continue to grow,” Jones said. “Recruitment and retention for these professionals are complicated by competitive salaries and benefits offered by larger, urban-based firms, which can lure away skilled workers. While electric cooperatives are making smart investments and building strategic partnerships to develop our cyber professionals, more work needs to be done. Initiatives like those in the Cyber PIVOT Act bring much-needed focus to the cyber workforce needs of rural America. Creating a talent pipeline that includes pathways into rural areas will foster a local, skilled cybersecurity workforce to safeguard critical infrastructure in these regions. Co-ops and our rural communities have a lot to offer in protecting America’s critical infrastructure.”

The entire hearing entitled “Preparing the Pipeline: Examining the State of America’s Cyber Workforce” can be viewed below, and Mr. Jones submitted complete comments can be viewed here.

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People Behind the Power – Meet Keith Phillips

Tennessee electric cooperatives power the state. Co-ops provide for three million Tennesseans -that’s 72% of the state’s landmass and 41% of the state’s population. That power wouldn’t be possible though without the employees, lineworkers and board members across the 23 cooperatives. Keith Phillips is one of the people behind that power.

Phillips is a native of Monterey and serves on the board of directors for Volunteer Energy Cooperative.

“It is a great honor and privilege that the members have trusted and elected me to serve as a director with VEC,” Phillips says.

Phillips has been married to his wife, Tammy, for 36 years and they have two daughters and two grandsons. Aside from his work within the co-op, Phillips has some unique pastimes.

His father passed away when he was just six years old, but his mother remarried two years later to Doc Goff, who soon became an important part of Phillips’ life. Goff owned D.M. Goff Funeral Home Inc. and Phillips spent a large portion of his childhood there. He enjoyed the upbringing and way of work so much, that as soon as he graduated high school, he pursued a degree in mortuary science. Since 1979, he has operated and maintained all the responsibilities of the funeral home.

“I consider it a gift to help and serve people,” Phillips says

On top of his daily funeral home duties, Phillips also reads the daily weather around 7 a.m. for the National Weather Service. He measures precipitation, daily temperature and any unusual weather events and has done so for the past 30 years.

“Monterey will many times have snow when no other counties around have any,” Phillips says about the distinctive weather he reports on.

In the past, Phillips has held many roles in the community like Volunteer Fireman, past master for the Monterey Masonic Lodge and youth director at the Monterey United Methodist Church. Now he is the superintendent of the Welch Memorial Cemetery and a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the Upper Cumberland Funeral Directors Association and the Monterey Lions Club.

“I find it rewarding to be able to give back to the community that God has so richly blessed me with,” Phillips says.

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Fiber is here for Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation members

Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation has completed its fiber network buildout across its five-county service area, providing more than 109,000 homes and businesses fiber service access.

“At Cumberland Electric, our mission has been to connect and empower our members since rural electrification over 80 years ago,” Chris A. Davis, CEMC’s general manager, says. “Like electricity, internet access is a vital utility that enables economic growth and educational opportunities and provides access to essential services.”

Internet access hasn’t always been as easy to come by though for rural areas of middle Tennessee. After the passing of the Broadband Accessibility Act of 2017, the co-op conducted a thorough study across their membership to assess the need and interest of a fiber network. The findings showed that seven out of ten members expressed support for the internet services and an overwhelming nine out of ten members emphasized that reliable internet access is essential to modern life. These results led to the launch of Cumberland Connect and the initiative to build a state-of-the-art fiber network for the community.

“Initially, the whole reason CEMC was created was because no one was taking electricity to rural America. Now, that need is being repeated with broadband,” Mark T. Cook, P.E., CEMC’s manager of broadband division, says. “No one was taking it to rural America. That is literally what we exist to do, to provide this kind of service to our members.”

This project began back in November 2019 and now 5,291 miles of fiber line connect 39,000 members and 1,300 businesses to fast, reliable and affordable fiber internet service.

“No other provider has ever gone to some of the places we’ve gone with internet. This is a difference-maker for our members,” Cook says. “High-speed internet is an absolutely critical utility in today’s world. More people are working from home. Children are being homeschooled. We’re in the early stages of telemedicine, where we will talk to our doctors online. But if you don’t have high-speed internet, you cannot do any of these things. That’s the need we’re filling.”

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The Tennessee Magazine hosts redesign workshop for section editors

After more than a decade with the same look, The Tennessee Magazine team has chosen to do a redesign of the publication. Almost a year’s worth of thought, planning and effort has led to an incredible design that co-ops and readers are sure to love with the help of Delevante Creative. Before the redesign debuts next month though, the magazine team hosted a redesign workshop for local section editors.

“It is an exciting time in the history of The Tennessee Magazine as we implement this redesign, and our co-op section editors play integral roles in this process,” Chris Kirk, editor of The Tennessee Magazine, says. “We were glad to welcome them to our office to hear their feedback and offer training for effectively using their magazine pages to interact with their consumer-owners.”

Representatives from 15 co-ops gathered at the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s Conference Center Wednesday, Jan. 15, and Thursday, Jan. 16, for the workshop. The section editors learned why the magazine matters by looking at the latest numbers from the 2024 Readership Study. Then the editors experienced a behind the scenes look at the process that went into redesigning the magazine. After lunch, a panel was held with Mike Delevante and Donna Abernathy to learn best practices on how to make the most out of local sections through design and writing. The day concluded with a presentation about resources available and a roundtable where co-ops were able to share ideas and issues.

“It was so nice getting to see everyone and being able to connect with old friends and make new ones. The workshop was such a fun time, especially the round-table style sessions with TECA’s team, Donna Abernathy, and Mike Delevante and his team,” Memori DePriest, marketing coordinator at Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative, says. “I’m so excited for the new changes with the magazine and getting to dive into our own pages.”

Thursday’s schedule included a session with Abernathy on how to write for clarity and purpose. The workshop wrapped up with the Delevante Creative team walking section editors through how to use the new design tools in their pages.

The newly designed The Tennessee Magazine will be in mailboxes the first of March.

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Biscuits, Bluegrass and the 114th General Assembly

Hours before the 114th General Assembly began, the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association hosted the inaugural Biscuits & Bluegrass Brunch. On Tuesday, Jan. 14, legislators and their family members along with Tennessee business and electric co-op leaders gathered in Nashville at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum to celebrate the start of the legislative session.

“Anytime co-op leaders can fellowship with lawmakers in Nashville, the outcome is usually positive,” Dion Cooper, Volunteer Energy Cooperative’s president and CEO, said. “The Biscuits & Bluegrass event is an outstanding venue for that. Hosting it on the opening day of the legislative session shines a positive spotlight on our industry.”

A spotlight, or light switch that is, was shone at the event as Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally conducted the ceremonial “flipping of the switch” symbolizing the official start of the legislative session.

“We are excited and honored to have welcomed the general assembly back to session,” Ryan King, TECA’s vice president of government affairs, said. “In order to successfully serve our communities, it is important to tell the electric cooperative story and educate lawmakers about the impact of proposed legislation. Hosting events like this brunch and being involved in this fellowship will allow us to better do so.”

500 attendees from all corners of the Volunteer state enjoyed fellowship, food and bluegrass music. The room was full of chatter and the twang of a banjo while everyone enjoyed over 1,000 Loveless Café’s iconic biscuits, their various jams and even Nashville hot chicken. Pick Tennessee Products partnered with TECA to bring the drink of the morning, Frothy Monkey coffee.

After the event concluded, legislators picked up their own pair of Tennessee electric socks to take with them back to the capitol building.

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