Photo Gallery: 2022 Seven States Annual Meeting at FedEx Institute of Technology at the University of Memphis
November 21, 2022

Seven States Power Corporation held its 2022 annual meeting November 2-3 at the FedEx Institute of Technology at the University of Memphis in Memphis, TN. The two-day event kicked off with a board meeting on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 2. The second day began with the business meeting, progressed with guest speakers and a panel discussion, and concluded with a dedication event for two new solar workstations.

This year’s theme, “Celebrate Innovation,” highlighted the impact Seven States is having across the Tennessee Valley by providing expert insight and technical experience for LPCs. Featured guest speakers on Thursday included Jeff Lyash, President and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority, and George Andraos, Director of Sustainable Energy and Innovation at Ford. A panel discussion between LPC leaders and Seven States staff highlighted the organization’s work across the Valley.

Seven States, member-owner MLGW, and MLGW-customer FedEx Institute of Technology ended the event by celebrating the installation of two solar workstations on the University of Memphis campus that will charge electronic devices for students, faculty, staff, and the community.

Below you will find photos from the 2022 Seven States Annual Meeting. All photos were taken by Rich Smith and belong to Seven States Power Corporation.

A large billboard on the side of a building says big memphis.
A large brick building with a sign that says rock n ' soul reach out.
A group of people are sitting at tables in a room applauding.
A group of people are singing into microphones in a room.
A neon sign that says poplar tunes welcome seven states and endless highway
A group of people are posing for a picture in front of a sign that says rock n soul.
Three men are standing next to each other and talking in a room.
A group of people are standing next to each other and talking in a room.
A man and a woman are sitting at a table with bottles of water.
A man and a woman are talking to each other in a crowded room.
A hallway with signs for kentucky , georgia , mississippi and alabama
A large building with a lot of windows is sitting next to a smaller building.
A group of people are standing in a room talking to each other.
A group of men in suits are standing next to each other and laughing.
Two men are standing next to each other in a room and talking.
A group of people are standing around a table with green bags.
A man is signing a picture on a table.
A table topped with a row of white bags with green lightning bolts on them.
A group of people are standing around a table with cards on it.
A group of people are standing in a room talking to each other.
A group of people are standing around a table talking to each other.
A group of men are standing around a table with bags on it.
A seven states banner is hanging on a wall next to stairs
A woman is sitting at a table with a green table cloth.
Four green and white business cards with lightning bolts on them are sitting on a green table.
A group of men are standing next to each other in a lobby talking to each other.
A man and a woman are talking to each other in a lobby.
A man and a woman are standing next to each other and talking.
A group of people are standing in a hallway talking to each other.
A group of people are standing in a room talking to each other.
A group of people are standing in a lobby talking to each other.
A group of men are shaking hands at a conference.
Two men are talking to each other in a crowded room.
A white and green electric car is parked in a parking lot.
A blue picnic table with a solar panel on top of it.
A blue picnic table with a solar panel on top of it in front of a brick building.
The fedex institute of technology is located in a brick building.
A group of signs that say `` together we can make a bright future ''
A group of people are sitting in a large auditorium.
Two trophies are sitting on a green table.
A bunch of light bulbs filled with green balls on a table.
A group of men are sitting at a table in a conference room.
A group of people are sitting in an auditorium watching a presentation on a large screen.
A man is giving a speech at a podium in front of a large screen.
A man is standing at a podium giving a speech.
A man is giving a presentation in front of a large audience in a lecture hall.
A man is standing at a podium giving a speech.
A man is giving a presentation in front of a large screen in a conference room.
A man in a suit and tie is standing at a podium giving a speech.
A man in a suit is standing at a podium giving a presentation.
A woman is standing at a podium giving a speech.
A man is standing at a podium giving a speech.
A woman is standing at a podium giving a speech.
A group of people are sitting in an auditorium watching a presentation on a large screen.
A group of people are sitting in a council chamber watching a presentation on a large screen.
Two men in suits are talking to each other in a room.
A group of people are standing in a room talking to each other.
A group of people are sitting in a large auditorium.
A man in a suit and tie is standing at a podium giving a speech.
A man is standing at a podium giving a presentation.
A ford logo is displayed on a large screen in a conference room.
A group of people are sitting at tables in a conference room
A man is standing at a podium giving a speech.
A man in a suit is standing in front of a podium giving a presentation.
A man is giving a presentation in front of a large audience in a lecture hall.
A man is giving a presentation in front of a large audience in a lecture hall.
A man in a suit is standing in front of a podium.
A group of people are standing in an auditorium talking to each other.
A group of people are standing in a room talking to each other.
Three men in suits are talking to each other in a conference room.
A woman is standing at a podium in front of an empty auditorium.
A framed picture with signatures on it is sitting on a table.
A group of people are sitting in front of a large screen in a conference room.
A group of men are sitting around a podium in a conference room.
A man is standing at a podium giving a speech to two other men.
A group of men are sitting in front of a large screen.
A man is standing at a podium with a guitar in front of him.
Two men shaking hands in front of an american flag
A man in a suit and tie is standing at a podium giving a speech.
A man in a suit is standing at a podium giving a speech.
Two men are shaking hands in front of a podium.
A man is standing at a podium giving a presentation.
A man in a suit is standing at a podium giving a speech.
A man in a suit and tie is standing at a podium giving a speech.
A man is standing at a podium giving a speech to a crowd of people.
A man in a suit and tie is giving a speech at a podium.
A man in a suit is standing at a podium speaking into a microphone.
A woman is standing at a podium holding a thank you sign.
A group of people are sitting at a picnic table.
A group of people are sitting at a picnic table in a parking lot.
A group of people are holding a thank you to our partners sign.
By Jessica Bradshaw June 25, 2025
Seven States Power Corporation’s Board Chairman, Jeff Dykes, and President & CEO, Betsey Kirk McCall, met with Congressional leaders earlier this summer as part of a strategic initiative to advance funding to install technologies that make power more efficient, reliable, and abundant. Dykes and McCall sought to amplify the need for greater federal support to Tennessee Valley LPCs for increasing America’s energy infrastructure during a time where creative options are needed against the backdrop of unprecedented growth. A primary objective of the trip was to listen to legislators’ areas of focus and educate the leaders on how Seven States supports the Valley through times of transition. Many LPCs have voiced concerns over the volume of requests they are receiving to supply energy to data centers. Dykes and McCall emphasized the opportunities Investment Tax Credits (ITC) and alternative financing provide for accelerating large-scale projects that can supply this growing demand for energy. To date, more than 1200 data centers are in development across the U.S. that will consume an estimated 149.6 -239.3 TWH annually. That represents the equivalent of 15-25 large nuclear plants running continuously to supply the need. Dykes and McCall stressed how cooperatives like Seven States can leverage funding models that alleviate the capital outlays for and accelerate construction of projects that can accommodate the expected growth in the Valley over the next decade from these data centers. “It will take LPCs, TVA, communities, companies, and developers working together on such projects to meet the need and keep the lights on,” said Dykes. “We understand that these data centers represent an opportunity for investment in the region. These dollars will improve communities and attract high quality economic development prospects. We want to ensure our member LPCs and TVA are supported and prepared to deliver this opportunity to the Valley,” said McCall. Dykes and McCall also underscored that Seven States was created by LPCs, in partnership with TVA, as a strategic solution to TVA’s debt ceiling limitations—without amending the TVA Act. From 2007 to 2013, Seven States became the first —and remains the only— LPC-led organization to successfully negotiate a sale/leaseback agreement with TVA to co-own a utility-scale generation asset: the Southaven 800MW Combined Cycle Gas Plant. This makes Seven States uniquely qualified as an in-Valley solution to finance and co-own generation assets with TVA.  “Seven States was created for moments like this. We often serve as the designer or developer, deploying capital and project management expertise to build reliable or advanced energy infrastructure on behalf of LPCs. This allows LPCs to avoid the burden of raising capital or navigating complex regulatory issues,” said McCall. Another key focus of the trip was to share project updates on the $439 million in funding secured earlier this year through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s New ERA program. Dykes and McCall outlined how this investment will be used to deliver 250MWs of additional power—aligning with national priorities on energy dominance and security. While in Washington, the team also met directly with USDA officials to provide a progress report on the project. “We are at a pivotal moment where federal partnerships can accelerate the progress our members are already making,” McCall said. “Our goal is to ensure their contributions—and their challenges—are clearly understood as Congress shapes the future of energy policy.” More recently, McCall was also in the area conducting meetings during President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill event where Zach Stewart of Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative was among those recognized for their service to the nation in the energy industry. McCall was on site as the new Rural Utilities Services Administrator at USDA, Karl Elmshaeuser, was announced. McCall met with Christopher McClean, former Acting RUS Administrator as part of a series of meetings to further map project details related to the $439 million awarded to Seven States by USDA. By engaging directly with lawmakers and federal agencies, Dykes and McCall are working to ensure that regulatory frameworks reflect on-the-ground realities. These Washington outreach efforts reinforce Seven States’ commitment to building an energy system that is affordable, reliable, and future-focused. Dykes and McCall expect continued conversations throughout the year as the Valley’s energy future takes shape.
By Jessica Bradshaw June 25, 2025
Seven States recently had the privilege of partnering with the Chattanooga Area Food Bank to provide consulting support for energy efficiency upgrades at their main distribution facility. Serving 20 counties across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, the Food Bank distributed over 15 million pounds of food last year—equivalent to more than 12 million meals for families in need. With such a vital and energy-intensive operation, improving energy performance means more resources can go directly toward feeding the region. Our team conducted a comprehensive energy assessment, identifying key opportunities to reduce utility costs through more efficient lighting, refrigeration, and HVAC systems. These recommendations are expected to cut energy use by up to 25%, translating into substantial cost savings over time. By optimizing energy performance, the Chattanooga Area Food Bank can reinvest those savings into expanding food access, enhancing logistics, and continuing their mission to eliminate hunger and promote healthier communities.  This collaboration not only underscores the connection between energy efficiency and social good, but also highlights how thoughtful upgrades can deliver lasting value for mission-driven organizations. We're proud to support the Food Bank’s critical work and look forward to seeing the positive ripple effects of this project across the communities they serve.
June 19, 2025
Leading Forked Deer Electric Cooperative as General Manager & CEO, Jeff Newman has firsthand knowledge of how vital technology is to the Valley and what a difference it has made in his community. “In our footprint, two of the most critical technology developments were broadband expansion and system automation. Bringing our system up-to-date has been a top priority, and that started with implementing SCADA across the network—a process that’s still ongoing. SCADA has already made a significant difference by improving our ability to detect and respond to outages quickly, which greatly reduces downtime for our members. On the broadband side, we now serve over 6,800 folks, which represents a substantial portion of our total meters. In a rural area like ours, access to high-speed internet isn’t just a convenience, it’s a necessity. It’s been a game changer, and the revenue from broadband has helped stabilize our electric rates by offsetting the need for larger increases. So, these technology developments haven’t just modernized our infrastructure—they’ve directly improved quality of life and economic resilience for the people we serve.” As the Valley continues to evolve and technology changes, Jeff views Seven States as a trusted partner that can help LPCs find the best fit for their community. “The biggest thing for us, as a rural utility, was having someone to help us get connected with the right people—whether that’s suppliers, vendors, or experts. We really leaned on Seven States for that support because, honestly, we didn’t even know where to begin. Every utility is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. You have to do what makes sense for your system and your community. A cookie-cutter approach just doesn’t work in this industry, and Seven States knows how to tailor a project or service to fit your exact needs.” Jeff’s advice to GMs who want to bring innovation to their communities is to stay open to progress by listening, learning, and ensuring new ideas truly serve the needs of the ratepayers. “I don’t take credit for the changes we’ve made, but progress happens when you don’t stand in its way. It’s important to evaluate new ideas carefully, make sure they align with your system’s needs, and support what makes sense. The key is to always consider what’s best for your LPC or co-op—and not become an obstacle to improvement.” ###
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