Seven States Board Elects New Leadership
December 16, 2019

The Seven States Power Corp. Board of Directors will head into 2020 with a new leadership team.

Meeting Dec. 10 at Seven States’ Chattanooga office, the corporation’s directors elected Jeff Dykes, CEO at Johnson City, Tenn. based BrightRidge, to a one-year term as chairman. Jim Ferrell, chief executive at Jackson, Tenn., EA, was elected vice chairman and Keith Carnahan, CEO at Meriwether Lewis EC, Centerville, Tenn., was elected secretary/treasurer.

Dykes took the reins at BrightRidge, then Johnson City PB, at the end of 2012. He’s also served as chief executive at Newport, Tenn., UB and Elizabethton, Tenn., ED. He holds an undergraduate degree from Milligan College and succeeds Rody Blevins of Volunteer EC, Decatur, Tenn., as Seven States chairman.

Ferrell succeeds Greg Fay of Clinton, Tenn., UB as Seven States vice chairman. Ferrell has been the chief executive at Jackson EA since March 2012 and has logged nearly 33 years at the utility, where he’d served previously as systems engineer, operations superintendent, vice president and senior vice president.

Carnahan is in his fourth year as CEO at Meriwether Lewis EC, having served previously on the cooperative’s board of directors. He earned an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering at Tennessee Tech University and an MBA from Bethel University. Carnahan takes over for Ferrell as the Seven States secretary/treasurer.

Seven States’ directors also elected Phillip Chaney of Scottsboro, Ala., EPB to represent the Alabama District.  Chaney has worked at Scottsboro EPB for 21 years and has been the utility’s manager since mid-2015. He succeeds the retiring Richard Morrissey of Florence, Ala., Utilities on the Seven States board.

Seven States Executive Vice President Betsey Kirk McCall said the staff “truly appreciates the strong leadership and service of our directors,” past and present.

“We look forward to an exciting and productive 2020,” McCall said.

By Jessica Bradshaw June 9, 2025
Seven States Power Corporation is pleased to announce the appointment of Kim Shumpert as Vice President of Public Relations. Shumpert brings over two decades of experience in growing the capacity and impact of multiple organizations within both the public and private sectors. With both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Public Administration, Shumpert brings a distinguished background in executive leadership, having guided regional economic development initiatives and directed comprehensive communication strategies across diverse platforms. Her experience includes successfully managing media relations and fostering strong partnerships. In her new role as Vice President of Public Relations, Shumpert will spearhead efforts to increase the organization’s impact, deepen stakeholder engagement, and advance the mission of empowering LPCs to meet growing consumer demand for technology and innovation in an evolving utility landscape. “We are thrilled to welcome Kim to our team,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, Seven States President & CEO. “Her proven ability to build meaningful relationships and communicate with purpose aligns perfectly with our vision for growth and engagement.” Shumpert joins Seven States at a pivotal time in the energy industry. Her leadership will play a crucial role in supporting Seven States Power Corporation’s ongoing commitment to leveraging technology to design, develop, and deploy forward-thinking energy solutions in partnership with LPCs and the communities they serve.  Seven States Power Corporation is a trusted partner to 153 local power companies across the Tennessee Valley, delivering customized energy and generation solutions and supporting community success through technology and innovation. To stay up to date on Seven States projects, announcements, and news, subscribe to our newsletter .
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