More than 400 generous members, associate members and guests at the 81st annual meeting of the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives at the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Va., July 20-22 donated more than $81,000 for the VMDAEC Education Scholarship Foundation, which has surpassed $1.2 million in scholarship awarded to date. This cooperative spirit was a shining example of this year’s meeting theme: All In for Our Members. Focused on solutions, a group of rural electric cooperatives united 81 years ago, enabling them to compete and excel in the utility industry.
Incoming VMDAEC Board Chair Dr. Frank Bacon (left), Southside Electric Cooperative director, thanks outgoing Board Chair George Goin, Central Virginia Electric Cooperative.
Keynote speaker Dr. Bob Holsworth provides an overview of the regional and national political landscape.
On the morning of July 21, the Association conducted its membership meeting and board meeting, during which a new slate of officers was elected. Southside Electric Cooperative (Crewe, Va.) Board Director Dr. Frank Bacon will serve as chairman for the next year. Accompanying Bacon for the one-year term are directors Todd Van Horn (vice chair), Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative (Rockingham, Va.), and Scott White (secretary/treasurer), Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (Hughesville, Md.).
Delivering the keynote address at this year’s annual meeting, following video messages from both Virgina gubernatorial candidates, was Dr. Bob Holsworth, who provided valuable insights regarding the current political landscape, both regionally and nationally.
“It was an amazing experience to celebrate this special occasion with over 400 of our cooperative family and friends,” says VMDAEC President and CEO Brian Mosier. “We are honored to serve all 16 of the electric cooperatives in our three-state territory, and this event wouldn’t be possible without all the strong support we receive from our members, industry partners and sponsors.”
Guests visited with representatives from a variety of VMDAEC associate members during a vendor expo and learned more about the companies and organizations that help support the services provided to member cooperatives. The Association appreciates its record-breaking 120 associate members.
From left, H.T. Brown Jr. (CVEC) Bill and Roberta Harlowe, Lisa Jackson (CVEC), Cathy Davison (CoBank), Rusty Brown (NNEC), George Goin (CVEC), Dr. Brian Gates (CVEC) and CVEC President and CEO Gary Wood.
Auction Raises Funds for Scholarship Foundation
Following tradition, results from 50 silent auction items — accounting for nearly $22,000 — were announced after dinner. Three items were on the slate for the live auction: a turkey hunting experience with retired Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative President and CEO John Lee ($7,500); a T-shirt blanket and pillow made from the team shirts at the 2025 Gaff-n-Go Rodeo ($1,400); and an event painting of the rodeo by Richmond artist John Price ($3,200).
Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (Lovingston, Va.) leadership along with CoBank representatives made a special presentation in recognition of recently retired CVEC Board Director Roberta Harlowe for her years of service and commitment to education scholarships. A check in the amount of $30,000 was presented to the Roberta Harlowe Scholarship by VMDAEC Board Chair George Goin (CVEC), Cathy Davison of CoBank, and CVEC President and CEO Gary Wood and the CVEC board of directors.
Other Recognitions
The VMDAEC board of directors showed appreciation to two retired co-op champions for their years of service and leadership. Resolutions were presented to retired Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative President (Chase City, Va.) and CEO John C. Lee Jr., who finished his career as president and CEO for Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, and retired Choptank Electric Cooperative (Denton, Md.) Board Director Olin Davis. Former Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative General Counsel Dale Davenport was honored with the Association’s Distinguished Service Award.
-
- John Lee (center) is accompanied by his wife, Terri, and son, Jake, with the resolution recognizing his leadership.
-
- Olin Davis accepts his leadership award alongside his wife, Catherine.
-
- Dale Davenport (center) stands with his wife, Becky, (right) and their daughter, Amanda, after receiving the 2025 Distinguished Service Award.
VMDAEC is grateful to its members, associate members and sponsors for helping make this year’s annual meeting a successful event.
