A regular update for leaders, members and friends of the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives
from Brian S. Mosier — President & CEO
February 2023
A regular update for leaders, members and friends of the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives
from Brian S. Mosier — President & CEO
October 2022

2023 Session Recap
After almost two months of negotiation and debate, legislators adjourned the 2023 Virginia General Assembly Session on Saturday without a budget. While some business of the Commonwealth is left unfinished, Virginia’s electric cooperatives had resounding victories and made great strides in our legislative agenda. This year, VMDAEC’s government affairs staff and legislative liaisons from Virginia’s co-ops worked diligently to pass two signature pieces of legislation, while supporting,...

2023 Session Recap
After almost two months of negotiation and debate, legislators adjourned the 2023 Virginia General Assembly Session on Saturday without a budget....

Fiber Tech Training Begins
Thanks to the expertise and support from the Fiber Broadband Association and VMDAEC Associate Member S&N Communications, the first Fiber Technician Apprenticeship Program kicked off this month at the Association Training Center in Palmyra, Va.

SVEC Tabs McBride for Finance and Accounting Position
Tracy McBride joined Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative as its new vice president of finance and accounting on Jan. 30.

Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative Hires Chief Operating Officer
MEC is pleased to announce the addition of Casey Logan as its chief operating officer effective May 1, 2023.

Brunswick Expansion Complete in Record Time
Following only three short years, Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative, along with its wholly owned subsidiary, EMPOWER Broadband, is pleased to announce it has met its obligation in the Connect America Fund II Auction to fully deploy fiber-to-the-premise in south-central and southwest Brunswick County

Delaware Electric Cooperative Breaks Reliability Record
Three decades of energy infrastructure investments have paid off for Delaware Electric Cooperative.

Association Hosts Annual HR Roundtable
Earlier this month, more than 30 human resources professionals from VMDAEC member cooperatives came together for the annual HR Roundtable.

Gallagher Names MEC a Best-In-Class Employer
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative was recently named a 2022 Best-in-Class Employer by Gallagher for its strong efforts to continuously improve employee and organizational well-being.

Fiber Tech Apprenticeship Enrollment Opens
In collaboration with Fiber Broadband Association and S&N Communications, the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives is excited to open enrollment into its first Fiber OpTIC certification class, which is scheduled to begin Feb. 21. An email was recently sent to all training coordinators regarding the curriculum, details, cost and schedule.

Celebrating a Four-Year Journey
Family members, supervisors and others gathered on Jan. 27 in celebration of the completion of a four-year apprenticeship by 12 young line technicians representing electric cooperatives and municipal utilities.

Lee Recognized for Service by NRECA Board
After serving three years on the board of directors of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, John C. Lee Jr., president and CEO of Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative in Chase City, will not seek reelection.

Yingling named DEC Vice President of Member Services
Kevin Yingling has been promoted to Vice President of Member Services at Delaware Electric Cooperative.

Cooperatives Team Up to Help Families Fighting Pediatric Cancer
Community Electric Cooperative and Prince George Electric Cooperative devoted last week to a “Ready Bag Packing Party” held to support families whose children are afflicted with cancer.

Association to Host Legislative Day
Your Government Affairs team invites you to register for the 2023 Legislative Day in Richmond. Legislative Day will be held on Jan. 23-24 at the Hilton Downtown Hotel.

Learning to Fly
An initiative started at Rappahannock Electric Cooperative prior to the pandemic has resulted in nearly 70 trained and/or soon-to-be unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) operators.

Rob Book Named CEO of Delaware Electric Cooperative
Delaware Electric Cooperative has named Rob Book acting president and chief executive officer.

VMDAEC Welcomes Three to Co-op Family
The Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives welcomes three new employees to its co-op family.

Co-ops Updated on National Electrical Safety Code
Earlier this month, more than 50 representatives from 10 electric co-ops attended a seminar provided by Utility Training Services Inc. regarding updates to the National Electrical Safety Code.

SVEC Names Two to Senior Staff
Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative has recently added two new faces to its senior staff.
New Vice President Wants Relationships with Members
As federal funding opportunities dramatically increase for new electric vehicle infrastructure, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative is committed to ensuring rural Virginia is not left behind.
ODEC Takes Members and Guests for a Lap Around the Track
As federal funding opportunities dramatically increase for new electric vehicle infrastructure, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative is committed to ensuring rural Virginia is not left behind.

Fiber Tech Apprenticeship Preview
Preview the new Fiber Technician Apprenticeship Program offered by the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives and S&N Communications at an informational meeting on Dec. 2 at the Association’s training facility in Palmyra, Va

Virginia is for Tourism Lovers
Cooperative Living’s new advertising account representative, Sonja Kinney, recently attended the 2022 VA1 Governor’s Tourism Summit in Norfolk, Va.

Directing the Directors
On Oct. 24, cooperative directors of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware electric cooperatives attended a statewide workshop sponsored by the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation.

VMDAEC’s new Mobile Test Lab service is making an impact, saving member co-ops time and money … and lives.
VMDAEC’s new Mobile Test Lab service is making an impact, saving member co-ops time and money … and lives.

EMPOWER Broadband Breaks Ground on $154 Million Project
On October 20, EMPOWER Broadband, Inc., commemorated a significant stride forward in leveling the playing field between rural and urban communities by launching a significant expansion of its fiber network.