More than 50 members, employees and guests gathered in the cozy confines of a garage bay at the Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative headquarters in New Castle, Va., for a memorable 87th annual meeting. The afternoon was filled with great food, live music, special recognitions and important updates for the cooperative’s future.
Maiya Ashby, director of communications, kicked off the afternoon by welcoming everyone and setting a warm, inclusive tone for the meeting. Guests enjoyed a delightful dinner courtesy of Mike’s Dog House food truck, while the familiar tunes of Tim Rowlett added a musical charm to the event.
The event was also a celebration of achievements and milestones. The cooperative took a moment to recognize the 2024 Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives Scholarship recipients, with two of the honorees, Emmie Radford and Grayson Richardson, present to receive their accolades.
Also in attendance were VMDAEC President and CEO Brian Mosier and Prince George Electric Cooperative President and CEO Sarat Yellepeddi. Cooperative Living also set up as an exhibitor and engaged with members.
Additionally, Ashby presented plaques to three dedicated employees for their five years of service:
- Tyler Hall, journeyman lineman
- Christina White, accounting associate
- Kevin Stafford, staff accountant
CEO Jeff Ahearn took the stage to provide significant updates that highlighted CBEC’s progress and future plans. Key points from his address included:
- Capital Credits
- The board of directors approved the retirement and payment of almost $700,000 in capital credits — a substantial benefit for the members.
- Broadband Project
- The recent broadband project was successfully completed, extending service to nearly 500 homes in Roanoke County.
- New Management System
- The cooperative implemented a new member account management system — NISC’s iVue Connect system with the SmartHub app — enhancing user convenience and control.
- AMI System Upgrade
- The delivery of network equipment and meters for the new advanced-metering infrastructure system began in May, starting with the Bessemer substation. This upgraded system will offer detailed energy-use insights and new rate options, including pre-payment, time-of-use rates, and electric-vehicle rates.
Ahearn proudly described 2023 as a productive year, stating, “With the lessons learned from the last few years, your cooperative is stronger and well-positioned to take on the challenges that await us.”
The meeting concluded with a gesture of appreciation toward the members. Staff handed out bill credits totaling $450 in addition to other giveaways. It was evident that Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative is not just about providing electricity; it is about building a stronger, connected community, ready to embrace the future with confidence and resilience.
–Report by Maiya Ashby, Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative.