Larry leaves big shoes to fill, but with his kind offer of assistance over the upcoming months, I am confident that the transition will be smooth. In the very short time that I have been here I can see that Larry has left OAEC in very good shape.

As for me, I am both proud and honored to be a part of the cooperative family. Having been raised in a rural area I know firsthand the important role that electric cooperatives play in our small communities and farms. The member-owners we serve and the men and women who work for the cooperatives are of strong character and have a great work ethic. We know what it means to help a neighbor and we know what it means to have been helped by a neighbor. I don’t think there can be anyone more proud of their rural roots than I am. It feels good to be in a role of service to your local cooperative and, ultimately, you.

While your local co-op is committed to providing affordable and reliable electricity day in and day out, here at the statewide office we are committed to a role of support in the areas of safety and training, self-funded insurance and outreach. We are also monitoring state and national legislation that has the potential to impact our member-owners either positively or negatively. There are many challenges ahead, but with our grassroots network in place across the state and nation and with the resources available to us from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), we are well positioned to manage and influence that change in a common sense manner.

Over the months ahead, stay tuned to the articles in Oklahoma Living. In every edition we provide important information about current events in the industry, how you can be more energy efficient and utility related technologies. The electric utility industry has never been faced with so much change in so many areas of the business.

Thanks to the many of you who have welcomed me on board. I am looking forward to working with you.