Seven States Meets at ‘Best National Lab’
October 4, 2019

In addressing the 2019 Seven States Power Corp. Annual Meeting, conducted at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Randy Boyd laid his cards squarely on the table. “I like to think that ORNL is the best national lab in this country,” said the University of Tennessee’s interim president, who delivered the keynote presentation at the Oct. 3 meeting.

Boyd’s assertion got an enthusiastic second from Seven States Executive Vice President Betsey Kirk McCall. The Annual Meeting, she said, sought to spotlight revenue, research and partnerships – the foundations on which “Seven States is building a business model that will sustain it long into the future.”

“Last year, we talked about electric vehicles and revenue at the Nissan manufacturing plant at Smyrna,” she said. “Having this year’s meeting at ORNL, including tours open to our members, allowed us to showcase the benefits of collaboration and research through partnerships. “Oak Ridge may have started out as a ‘Secret City,’ but ORNL is now truly everyone’s lab – in fact, a few of our members are doing project research [there],” said McCall, who announced that Seven States’ 2020 Annual Meeting will be at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville.

A man is giving a speech in front of a podium that says seven states
Tom King, of ORNL, presents at the Seven States Annual Meeting

Attendees got a brief overview of ORNL from Tom King, who oversees the sustainable electricity program for the lab and UT-Battelle, the contractor that operates ORNL for the U.S. Department of Energy. The post-meeting tours offered by ORNL were well attended and, according to Guntersville, Ala., EB General Manager Jason Kirkland, more than worth the additional time. “Two words – innovative and unbelievable,” Kirkland said. “The technology they’re using here; it just left me almost speechless.”

In closing the meeting, BrightRidge CEO Jeff Dykes acknowledged that he and his counterparts are serving their constituents in uncertain times, but reminded them that they control their destinies. “It’s exciting, but scary these days,” he said. “We’ve got to change – a lot. But where we go as local power companies is really up to us. You’re doing great things, and we’re going to work closely with Seven States to change the way we do things here in the Valley.”

A group of people standing in front of a seven states sign
Lee Brown (Erwin Utilities, second from left) won a ChargePoint EV charger.

During the business meeting, Seven States Chairman Rody Blevins of Volunteer EC, Decatur, Tenn., was re-elected to the board. Blevins is scheduled to stand down as chairman in December, but remain on the board.

Seven States members also elected four new directors: Steve Hargrove of Sheffield, Ala., Utilities (Division 9); Jeremy Nelms of Blue Ridge Mountain EMC, Young Harris, Ga. (Southeastern District); Mike Partin of Sequachee Valley EC, South Pittsburg, Tenn. (Division 7) and Allen Robbins of Sevier Co., Tenn., ES (Appalachian District).

A man and two women are standing next to each other holding a trophy.
Betsey Kirk McCall and Clint Wilson present Jeff Cornett of ORNL with the Innovations Champion award

 

McCall concluded the meeting by presenting the 2019 Seven States Innovation Champion award to Jeff Cornett, ORNL’s manager of industrial partnerships and economic development. “I’d be remiss if I didn’t say a big ‘thank you’ to Jeff and everyone at ORNL for their amazing hospitality,” she said. “And it goes without saying that none of this could have happened without the attention to detail and time dedicated by the Seven States team.”

< Older Post

 Newer Post >

Driving Electric in Tennessee Just Got Easier

By Jessica Bradshaw • October 27, 2025
Cleveland Utilities connects Cleveland to Fast Charge TN and regional Fast Charge Network

Seven States Power Corporation and Sevier County Electric System Unveil 14 EV Charging Ports at Dollywood

By Jessica Bradshaw • October 3, 2025
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — October 3, 2025 — Seven States Power Corporation (Seven States), in partnership with Sevier County Electric System (SCES), and Dollywood is proud to announce the ribbon cutting and official unveiling of 7 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations with 14 charging ports, and 10 solar-powered umbrella charging units at Dollywood, one of the nation’s leading theme park destinations. The new EV charging stations mark another exciting step forward in advancing transportation infrastructure to support the growing demand for electric vehicles in East Tennessee. Designed, developed, and deployed by Seven States, the project reflects a commitment to innovation, community partnership, and serving Dollywood guests. The ten solar-powered umbrellas will be installed in the Country Fair area, providing guests with a convenient place to charge their devices while they enjoy watching ride goers from the comfort of the shade. “Dollywood is a treasured landmark for families and visitors from across the country,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States. “We are honored to partner with SCES and Dollywood to deliver technology that adds convenience for guests while enhancing innovation in the region.” The addition of the charging stations and umbrellas highlight the shared vision of Seven States Power and SCES to expand access to energy solutions across the region. SCES provides electric power to more than 61,000 customers across Sevier County, Tennessee. As a locally owned public power utility, SCES has served the community for over 80 years with a focus on reliability, affordability, customer service, and innovation. “These projects represent our commitment to supporting innovation to meet the needs of our community. By working together, we’re helping ensure that both residents and visitors have access to the energy solutions of tomorrow, right here in Sevier County," said Allen Robbins, CEO of SCES. The ribbon cutting ceremony celebrates not only the completion of these projects, but also the growing collaboration between local utilities, community partners, and attractions to create a more modern energy future for Tennessee. “This partnership with Seven States and Sevier County Electric highlights the importance of regional collaboration to build infrastructure that supports both the local community and the millions of visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains each year. By investing in this technology, we are helping pave the way for a more sustainable future, while reinforcing our role as a leader in both the tourism industry and the community we call home," said Eugene Naughton, Dollywood Parks & Resorts President. “These investments further enhance our guest experience by providing services to help meet two emerging needs of those who visit.”  The charging stations will be available for use to patrons in the Preferred Parking Lot of Dollywood Theme Park beginning October 6, 2025 while the umbrellas are available for use immediately.

Kendall Bear

By Jessica Bradshaw • September 29, 2025
With his extensive experience in the industry, Kendall Bear’s leadership as General Manager of Rockwood Electric Utility has given him the opportunity to ensure his community is prepared for the future. “Although we’ve had many of the following systems implemented for a few years now, looking back, I would say that building a fiber network between our main office and our substations has been beneficial in a variety of ways for Rockwood Electric. This opened the door for additional technology developments such as AMI, SCADA, distribution automation, Dispatchable Voltage Regulation, a 900 Mhz radio system, and a Meter Data Management System. Implementing a GIS system was extremely valuable as well, as we are now able to export that information to other systems such as Outage Management. We have a business and customer portal from CSA that is used extensively by our employees and customers—everyone really benefits from it.” Kendall knows his LPC is responsible for both the present and future of his community’s needs, and he wants his community to know that he is always looking for ways to better their lives. “We are working very hard to provide a reliable power supply to all our customers and using these different technologies helps us manage the power system. We want to be able to provide real-time information to our customers; something they would not normally have access to without these technologies. I would also want our community to know that we are their ‘trusted energy advisor’ and every employee at Rockwood Electric is committed to helping them make good decisions about the power they use.” With so much technological advancement in the Valley, Kendall encourages fellow leaders to make a strategic plan and collaborate with their peers.  “The possibilities for innovation are almost endless, and there are a variety of products that are offered by many vendors. It is more than a little overwhelming! I would encourage a new GM to develop a strategic plan if the utility doesn’t already have one that is up-to-date. This may involve getting input from the many stakeholders in the community. After prioritizing your goals, get to work. Finally, I would tell a new GM to talk to his or her peers and colleagues a LOT. They will tell you what they have done that has been a colossal flop so you’ll know to avoid it, or they will tell you what they have been successful with. I guarantee every manager will share their story if you ask.”
Show More