Later this week, a marching band from Tipton County will appear in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This event might be overlooked in a larger town… but not in Munford.
Exciting things are happening in rural Tennessee.
Our communities are changing. Have you noticed? In some places, it is subtle – sold-out crowds for the home games or moms taking extra effort to shop locally. In other places, it is more overt – small businesses opening on Main Street and new jobs and investments in the industrial park.
They may be small towns, but they have big ideas.
Our members are proud of the places they call home, and Tennessee’s electric cooperatives need to take notice. For co-ops to truly engage our members, we must have a sincere passion for rural Tennessee. Co-ops must be advocates for our communities and champions for their success.
Welcome to the 2015 TECA Annual Meeting. Over the next few days, we will consider the responsibility we have to not simply power communities but to empower their success in the new economy.
Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
We are thoughtful, and we are committed, and the future of rural Tennessee is bright.
Special Events
Pick Tennessee Products Reception
Capitol Room | Sunday, November 22, 4-6 p.m.
Join The Tennessee Magazine for a reception featuringTennessee-made food and beverages.
CoBank Breakfast
Cumberland Ballroom | Monday, November 23, 7:30 a.m.
Gather with co-op leaders from across the state forthe most important meal of the day.
CFC Lunch
Cumberland Ballroom | Monday, November 23, 11:30 a.m.
Enjoy lunch for co-op directors, managers and key staff
Touchstone Energy Break
Conference Lobby | Monday, November 23, 2:15 p.m.
Take a break. Refreshments presented by TouchstoneEnergy Cooperatives.
Agenda
Monday, November 23 | First Session
Nashville Ballroom | Dan Rodamaker, Presiding
6:45 a.m. Health Screening and Flu Shots
Chattanooga and Knoxville Rooms until 9:00 a.m.
7:30 a.m. Registration | Breakfast
Sponsored by CoBank
Lobby and Cumberland Ballroom
9:00 a.m. Seeds to Succeed
Vincent Ivan Phipps discusses the four dynamics small towns provide that foster excellent ideas.
9:00 a.m. Spouses’ Brunch
Pick Tennessee Products‘ Tammy Algood speaks at 10 a.m.
Capital Ballroom
10:00 a.m. Business Session
President and General Manager’s Report, Resolutions Committee Report, NRECA Report, NRTC Report and election of trustees
11:00 a.m. NRECA Director Election
11:30 a.m. Lunch for Directors, Managers and Staff
Sponsored by the Cooperative Finance Corporation
Cumberland Ballroom
11:30 a.m. Lunch for Attorneys
Sponsored by Bass, Berry and Sims
Jackson Room
12:15 p.m. Safety Trailer Demonstration
Learn to keep your family #everydaysafe.
Parking lot
Monday, November 23 | Second Session
Nashville Ballroom | Kevin Murphy, Presiding
1:00 p.m. Partner Updates
Sheldon Peterson, CFC; Phil Irwin, Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange; Tim Bryan, NRTC
2:15 p.m. Break
Sponsored by Touchstone Energy
Lobby
2:30 p.m. Recognition of Washington Youth Tour Delegates
Todd Blocker, TECA
3:00 p.m. Communications and the Modern Co-op
Communicating with your members in a professional way is more important than ever.
Jim Bausell, NRECA
3:45 p.m. Recognition of Top Tenn Award Winners
Robin Conover, TECA
4:00 p.m. Recognition and Presentations
Recognition of directors and managers attaining NRECA certifications, co-ops receiving safetyachievement and other special presentations.
Bill LaDuca, CoBank; Mike Simmons, Job Training and Safety; David Callis and Mike Knotts, TECA
4:30 p.m. Safety Trailer Demonstration
Learn to keep your family #everydaysafe.
Parking lot
Monday, November 23 | Hospitality Night
Nashville Ballroom | Dan Rodamaker, Presiding
5:30 p.m. Hospitality Meet-and-Greet with Sponsors
6:30 p.m. Annual Banquet
Join TECA and our sponsors for dinner and entertainment by T. Graham Brown
Tuesday, November 24 | ACRE Breakfast
Cumberland Ballroom | Mike Knotts, Presiding
7:30 a.m. Breakfast and Awards Ceremony
Recognition of ACRE awards.
8:00 a.m. Presentation
Congressman Stephen Fincher (Invited)
Tuesday, November 24 | Third Session
Nashville Ballroom | Laura Willis, Presiding
9:00 a.m. TVA Update
Laura Campbell, Vice President of Customer Delivery, TVA
9:45 a.m. NRECA Update
Jim Bausell, Senior Vice President ofCommunications, NRECA
10:30 a.m. Final Business Meeting
