Cody Durham
April 16, 2025

Cody Durham knows the world of technology has evolved over the years. As the General Manager and CEO of Tishomingo County Electric Power Association, he’s been able to channel that knowledge into meaningful improvements for the members he serves.

“From a technology standpoint, fiber-to-the-home was the biggest thing that was needed in our community, so in 2020, Tishomingo Connect was deployed. We’ve been able to offer it to all of our members, and we now have over 7,600 subscribers. Being able to meet that need has been extremely rewarding, and the great thing about fiber is that it’s scalable. So hopefully, we have both solved a problem from a technology standpoint, and provided that connectivity to the internet, which is the bridge to pretty much all things technology now.”

With all of the changes taking place in his LPC footprint, Cody wants his members to know that their comfort and security are at the forefront of every decision he makes.

“We want our members to know that we’re doing our best to use all technology at our disposal to make their lives better. Whether it’s through fiber-to-the-home, smart meters, better load management—anything that we can do to deploy various methods of technology that makes our members’ lives better or their bills lower is always our goal. We want to ensure that we’re doing things that make sense and invest those dollars in a way that’ll provide a great return to our membership. Having fiber deployed throughout the county enables us to leverage that asset and see deeper into our system in order to manage our load better, which, in turn, hopefully reduces bills. We want to be good stewards of the resources that we have and to make our grid operate as best as we possibly can.”

Cody advises aspiring leaders to actively engage with their professional networks and seek out opportunities to learn from the experiences and insights of others in the Valley as much as possible.

“Make sure that you study and stay informed on everything going on in the industry, technology or otherwise—you’ve got to stay on top of it.  You have to read those emails, go to those meetings. You have to talk to your peers and make sure that you’re doing your best to stay on top of the innovation that’s out there. Additionally, I would also advise you to understand and respect your board or your governing authorities’ position on technology and what is needed in your community. Our job is to educate, and their job is to make the final decision. At the end of the day, progress happens through partnership, and by staying informed and offering guidance, we help our leaders make the best choices for the community’s future.

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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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