Dewayne McDonald: Valley Innovation Ambassador
March 27, 2023

Dewayne McDonald knows how innovative partnerships and technology can prepare us for the future.

Since 2019, Dewayne has led Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation as president and CEO with an emphasis on technological diversity and strategic partnerships. We asked him to share his experience with deploying past projects with Seven States:

“One thing I especially appreciate about our partnership with Seven States is the fact that it would be so difficult for a utility to do everything related to a new project on our own. Seven States has the expertise to offer everything from consulting to detailed back-end engineering, and they’re able to offer those services to all of their members, which makes it much more cost-effective. We’ve been really happy with the deployment of our level two charging, and now we’re about to roll out residential charging. All that work would have taken us longer to do on our own and it would’ve cost us more. Seven States brought everything to us and made it easy.”

To Dewayne, the most important thing he wants his members to know is that every decision is made with their needs in mind.

“I want our members to know that we don’t take being their trusted energy provider lightly, and not just when it comes to power, but in everything related to energy services as well. For us to be the trusted expert, we have to have partnerships with folks like Seven States to make sure that we’re providing the absolute best service. We’re not here just to keep their lights on — we’re here to meet their needs. And I think to have a growing community, we have to remember that we’re not just a power company, we’re here to create a better life for our members. ”

A growing community requires innovative thinking, and Dewayne knows that he needs to stay ahead of the curve.

“We’re constantly evaluating electrification trends, not only from the residential side but also from our commercial/industrial side and how the process is evolving in our industry. We have to ensure that we make decisions today that will enable us to support that demand through new technologies, such as battery storage. We’re exploring new technologies today to make sure the lights are on and reliable five years from now.”

With 32 years of industry experience, Dewayne knows that the members are the heartbeat of his co-op. He offered advice to general managers who might be wondering where to start when it comes to bringing innovation to their LPC.

“You have to listen to your members and customers. Look around at your community and ask yourself, ‘In what ways can I best serve my members and improve their quality of life?’ Once you do that, it helps you break out of the box and expand just beyond the power provider role. With your people in mind, the possibilities for serving them are endless.”

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Here We Grow Again! Seven States Welcomes Kim Shumpert as VP of Public Relations

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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