CEO’s Message – May 2023

Why all the fuss over the Board election?

Over the past 2 months or so, you’ve probably seen and heard numerous reminders and requests to “please vote” in our 2023 Board Election, which just concluded a couple of weeks ago (see results on page 5). Why do we place so much emphasis and put so much time and effort into our annual Board Director elections? We do a lot of important work here, but honestly, the election of our board members is probably one of the most mission-critical tasks we undertake each year.

Good governance of any organization is a combination of management, direction and oversight. I am the Chief Executive Officer. The important word there is executive, which means I, along with our terrific staff, execute a plan. That plan is developed by our management team but approved by the Board. Nothing happens without Board approval.

The Board of Directors, made up of Co-op members just like you, sets the direction of the Cooperative. So it is very important that the Board be invested, emotionally and financially (as members, we all have a stake), in the continued strength and success of Columbia REA.

As for oversight, we have monthly Board meetings where the management team meets with the Board and reports on the activities of the Co-op, and the Board provides feedback and direction, and when necessary, approval – or not – of new ideas and plans.

If you read this magazine and this column regularly, you know we talk a lot about change. The electric industry is in a critical period of change right now, which places even more importance on an engaged, educated Board of Directors. For that reason, the Co-op has always invested in the continued education of its Board members. Seven of the 9 Board Directors have earned their Credentialed Cooperative Director certification through the NRECA’s Board Certification program. Dennis Munden, currently our longest-serving Board Member with 19 years of service, has earned his Director Gold Certification, the highest level in the program. Philip Mehlenbacher, our newest Board member, was appointed just last year. Altogether, our 9 Board Directors bring 72 years of experience leading your Co-op.

A good board of Directors brings a variety of ideas and experiences to all these tasks and processes and plans. Columbia REA is blessed with a great Board of Directors, with people from a wide range of backgrounds: teachers, farmers, engineers, CPAs…again, members just like you.

If you are interested in running for a Board position, please let us know. There are three Board positions up for grabs each year, one in each district. The only requirements for candidacy are that you are a member and that your primary residence is on our system. The more people who get involved in the process, the better off your Co-op will be, now and in the future. We are more powerful together.

Best,
Scott Peters, CEO