NGEMC continues legacy at 81st Annual Meeting Power with Purpose
action we take,” he concluded.
In her address, Kathryn West, NGEMC president and CEO, mentioned the Coop’s tag line, Power with Purpose. “Power with Purpose defines the electric cooperative model, created by and for the members,” said West. “I want to do something a little different today and showcase some of the challenges of our line crews, and I also want this presentation to be a tribute to one of our crew leaders, David Tinker, who died recently and unexpectedly, leaving a big void in our organization.”
West explained the difficulty of power restoration and the Cooperative’s focus on safety, while sharing photos of scenarios the line crews encounter during restoration work. She referenced the impact that the previous year’s drought, combined with this year’s rainfall, has had on the power system and the quantity of large trees falling from outside of the right of way corridor, often breaking power poles and bringing down lines. “Since January, we have had 2.5 times the number of outages, compared to the same time period in the previous year,” said West. “I am amazed daily at the work of our crews and all the employees who provide support.”
“NGEMC employees are committed to giving you, our members, the very best service we possibly can,” she said in closing.
Gary Black, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Agriculture and Georgia Trend’s 2017 Georgian of the Year, delivered a keynote address. Black gave compliment to the power crews across the state, acknowledging the difficulty and danger associated with their work and their constant commitment to service, day and night.
Black went on to discuss the importance of agriculture in Georgia today. “Agriculture and farming and ag business provide 74 billion dollars of economic activity in Georgia every year and continues to grow,” said Black. “Agriculture is what we must do, what we should do,” he added.
As a cooperative, NGEMC is required by Georgia state law to hold an annual meeting of the members. The bylaws designate the meeting date as the first Thursday of August.
Members enjoyed a variety of booths and exhibits as well as entertainment by The Jordan Family Band from Calhoun. The Catoosa County Sherriff’s Office presented the colors before the meeting, and local law enforcement officers led the Pledge of Allegiance.
NGEMC is a consumer-owned, not-for-profit cooperative providing electricity to members in Catoosa, Chattooga, Floyd, Gordon, Murray, Walker and Whitfield counties.