Clayton Dowell

“We’ve been fortunate to have a team that has embraced the practical use of technology in many ways, for many years. We have decades of experience with demand response programs, distributed automation, and developed methods to automatically report outages before AMI systems were available. Most recently, we’ve increased our focus on customer interactions and how we can leverage new technologies to optimize these engagements. One of our current initiatives is the implementation of a new Customer Information System to homogenize our electric and fiber optic services. This will help us better serve our customers and create a more seamless connection between our electric and fiber optic systems. Additionally, we are actively working to update our fiber optic equipment so we can continue providing the best connectivity at the fastest speeds for our customers, even in the most rural parts of our service area.”

“In our community, we have seen a steady increase in electric vehicle adoption. With our vision to be our community’s trusted resource for energy and connectivity, we felt it was important to help provide some of the initial EV charging opportunities for our customers. We partnered with Seven States to support our installation of several DC fast chargers and level 2 chargers at strategic locations to help meet this growing need. The team from Seven States provided installation best practices and sourced the right chargers for our implementations.”

“Everything we do at BTES is driven by our commitment to serving our customers in the best way possible. Innovation isn’t just about adopting the latest technology – it’s pragmatic, finding meaningful ways to improve. Sometimes that means learning from industry leaders and best practices, but often it requires deep, intentional thinking to develop new ideas, processes, and technologies that make a real difference for our customers. At BTES, we don’t chase the next ‘shiny thing’ – we take a thoughtful approach, ensuring that every innovation we implement has a direct, positive impact on our community while ensuring that improvements are strategic, sustainable, and customer-focused. While technological advancements are part of this process, we also seek innovation in key organizational practices – whether it’s improving customer service, enhancing reliability, or streamlining operations. Ultimately, innovation at BTES is about continuously evolving to better meet the needs of the customers we serve.”

“As leaders in our industry and community, I believe we can find great value in pragmatic innovation. We need to be open-minded and listen to both our customers and employees to identify the challenges that limit their ability to succeed. Then, we must be willing to facilitate audacious ideas that may challenge our traditional way of doing business in order to help those we serve reach new levels of satisfaction and success. Our focus should be on supporting others. If we flip the traditional org chart upside down, our leadership model is built from the bottom up, with managers serving our employees in a way that provides a solid foundation for them to build upon and the space to innovate.”

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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.”