Member Spotlight

Jarrod Brackett is no stranger to technological advancements in our industry.  Serving Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative (FLEC) as General Manager and CEO has given him an opportunity to see his team put their technical experience to work for his members. “Broadband improvements/access and electric vehicle charging sites would top the list of most needed technology developments at Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative in the future.  FLEC strives to help our members evolve and embrace technological advancements to improve their lives.  FLEC has

Tim Henderson knows the value of technology and its wide-reaching impact on the Valley. Leading Cleveland Utilities Authority as President and CEO, Tim is focused on bringing innovation to his community to improve his customers’ lives. “We are about to enter the broadband business and are looking forward to the value it will add to our community.  And as part of that full buildout, we are really going to strengthen the electric system, because side by side, we’re also going to

With 31 years of industry experience, Jennifer Brogdon’s transition to general manager of Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation in 2021 was an opportunity to ensure her system was prepared for the future with new technology. “In March 2023, we launched our Outage Management System (OMS), giving our members and staff real-time information, visibility, and quicker response time during outages. We also just completed our 150-mile fiber ring to connect UCEMC’s corporate and district offices and substations, and we are eager for

Brian Taylor knows how vital innovative partnerships and technology are in preparing the grid for the future. Brian has led CDE Lightband as general manager since 2012 with a deep understanding of technological diversity and strategic partnerships. We asked him to share his experience deploying past projects with Seven States. “Seven States has been pivotal in our transformation and preparation for the future. Quite honestly, it’s been a game-changer in what we’re doing. There’s so much change in our industry, and

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

Mary McDuffa knows that innovation and long-term planning are paramount in her industry. Leading the City of Florence Electric Department as General Manager since 2019, Mary learned early that continuously implementing innovative technology is the key to the sustained success of her organization. We asked her to share what she was looking forward to as she prepares her LPC’s infrastructure for the future: “As we get our AMI fully deployed, we’re already looking ahead to smart lighting that will conserve energy,

With 32 years of experience in the industry, Chuck Bowlin is no stranger to technological innovation. Since assuming the role of President and CEO of Greeneville Energy Authority in 2020, Chuck has put his experience with innovation to work for his customers. “Offering broadband has been the biggest thing we’ve tackled since I started in my current role and we should be able to begin offering broadband services by late summer. We wanted to position ourselves to be able to apply

Josh Compton knows the wide-reaching impact technology is having on the Valley. Leading Appalachian Electric Cooperative (AEC) as general manager and executive VP, Josh is focused on keeping innovation at the forefront to improve the lives of his cooperative’s members. “We’re currently focusing on demand side management opportunities, but in the next five years, we’re looking ahead to member and community-supported battery programs and EV charging infrastructure buildouts. AEC’s goal is to always support our members and the communities we serve,

With 33 years of experience in the industry, Jeff Hurd’s transition to general manager of Hopkinsville Electric System in 2017 was an opportunity to ensure his system was prepared for the future. “Automated Metering Infrastructure was at the top of our list of innovative advancements. We went from reading meters once a month to being able to have our customers’ information right at our fingertips. This has helped us educate them about their usage habits and help predict future patterns. Digitizing

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