Tim Culpepper: Valley Innovation Ambassador
August 21, 2023

With his previous years of leadership experience as the General Counsel and Vice President of Administrative Services, Tim Culpepper’s transition to CEO of Cullman Electric Cooperative in 2018 was an opportunity to ensure his system was prepared for the future. He offered the following thoughts regarding how his LPC has navigated the deployment of new technology:

“From our members’ perspective, one of our most-needed technological pieces was access to quality high-speed internet. We also needed to begin preparing for what the future would hold. Whether it be load growth, increased renewables, or electric vehicles, our electric systems are being asked to do more things for more people than ever before. Bringing high-speed internet connectivity to our area made sense because it addressed a critical need for the long-term growth and success of our co-op as well as the communities we serve.”

Tim has big plans for Cullman’s future, and he shared how partnering with the Seven States team helps aid in deploying new technology efficiently.

“New technologies can come with a considerable learning curve. For example, electric vehicles bring with them charging equipment and new, complex load demands. LPCs do not always have the knowledge and experience to deploy these new technologies from an installation and operation standpoint. Seven States provides us the necessary experience and guidance to help us bring these innovations to our market and ensure that they are implemented successfully.”

Tim’s work with Seven States is just one part of his plan for innovative advancement in his LPC footprint, and his advice to general managers is to fully embrace new technologies and focus on the communication aspect of their deployment.

“Innovation is about change, whether it’s taking on a new challenge like a broadband service or coming up with new ways to meet the evolving needs and demands of members. Change can make people uncomfortable — both employees and members — so you need to be ready to talk about what is changing, why it’s happening, and how your plan for managing that change will work. Effective communication is the key to implementing any change internally in your LPC and in the community you serve.”

With so much technological advancement in the Valley, Tim wants his members to know that he views every new technology as a strategic step that will improve the lives of those in underserved areas.

“The co-op was started to address a need that was not being met and to improve the quality of life for the communities we serve. We’ve maintained that focus when looking at innovation. Fiber development was an unserved need in our community just like electricity was in the 1930s. Fiber will allow us to enhance the quality of our electrical service, while also giving families and businesses access to high-speed internet that is on par with the best service available anywhere in the country.  We’re really looking forward to the future.”

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USDA RUS Assistant Administrator Chris McLean: ”We celebrate a bright and shining future…with first time program borrowers like Seven States”

By Jessica Bradshaw • May 27, 2026
Today marks a remarkable milestone as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) celebrated the 90th anniversary of the passage of the Rural Electrification Act and the tremendous impact USDA programs have had on rural communities across the country. For nine decades, USDA has played a vital role in strengthening infrastructure, supporting economic development, and ensuring reliable access to essential services in areas that power the Tennessee Valley and America every day. Seven States Power Corporation is proud to have been mentioned alongside this important work and be recognized in partnership as USDA continues to advance the energy industry. We also want to extend our sincere thanks to Assistant Administrator for the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), Chris McLean, for recognizing Seven States and our new borrower status with USDA. Our partnership with USDA RUS represents an exciting new chapter for Seven States and reflects the shared commitment between our organizations to invest in abundant and affordable energy. “Once infrastructure is created, it must be nurtured, maintained, and improved over time. Today, we not only celebrate our history, we also celebrate our bright and shining future,” said McLean. McLean noted that USDA has longstanding relationships with borrowers dating back to 1930 and added that the agency is now working with new borrowers like Seven States. As energy demand continues to grow across the Tennessee Valley, we are excited about the opportunities this partnership creates to finance energy assets, expand power production and modernize grid infrastructure. Please join us in congratulating USDA on this special 90th Anniversary celebration!  Click here for the USDA press release and photos from today’s celebration event.

Valley Update: Tennessee Valley Corridor & USDA

By Jessica Bradshaw • April 7, 2026
Seven States Power Corporation President and CEO, Betsey Kirk McCall, attended the Tennessee Valley Corridor (TVC) Board of Directors meeting in Washington, DC on March 4, 2026, joining regional leaders to discuss economic development, infrastructure investment, and the TVC’s upcoming National Summit. The TVC brings together stakeholders from government, industry, and academia to strengthen the region’s competitiveness and support long-term growth. McCall’s participation reinforced Seven States’ commitment to collaborating with regional partners to ensure the Valley’s energy systems continue to support economic expansion and community prosperity. During this visit, McCall also met with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service staff to discuss additional federal financing opportunities that could support energy development across the Tennessee Valley. The conversation focused on Seven States’ request for nearly $6 billion in funding to acquire natural gas generation resources across the Valley. An additional $320 million could support distribution-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), helping utilities strengthen grid reliability and modernization of the region’s power infrastructure. By strengthening relationships with federal leaders and advocating for policies that support growing energy demands in the Valley, McCall reinforced Seven States’ commitment to reliable, affordable and abundant power supply. McCall plans to attend the TVC's National Summit on May 28-29, 2026 in Chattanooga, TN to highlight the region's growth for economic prosperity.

State Update: Advocacy at the Tennessee State Capitol

By Jessica Bradshaw • April 7, 2026
Seven States President & CEO, Betsey Kirk McCall, spent time at the Tennessee State Capitol on February 4, 2026, meeting with legislators including members of the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and the House Commerce Committee. A central focus of the meetings was providing an update on Seven States’ Energy Express project, an initiative designed to support growth in the Tennessee Valley with 220MW of battery storage. This project will be funded with a $439 million award by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (USDA RUS) New ERA program. McCall shared how Seven States will leverage federal financing opportunities, such as their USDA award of $439 million along with access to additional federal funds, to build or acquire generation and capacity to meet energy demand across the region, particularly as TVA navigates its debt constraints. She updated the legislators on how funding available to Seven States complements and amplifies TVA’s efforts to maintain a reliable energy system. By pairing federal financing with regional expertise in project deployment, Seven States can help utilities of all sizes move energy projects forward. The Seven States team also successfully engaged in state-level advocacy efforts to help stop proposed legislation that would have imposed an additional tax on electric vehicle (EV) charging. Working alongside partners and stakeholders, Seven States communicated to lawmakers how the proposed tax could create unnecessary barriers to EV infrastructure development and slow innovation within Tennessee’s evolving energy and transportation sectors. These advocacy efforts serve to refine and advance initiatives that impact a rapidly changing energy landscape. Together with partner LPCs, Seven States is building and energizing the grid of the future.
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