Continuing Education: Powering Tomorrow Today

Continuing education is very important because it helps people reach their full potential. When people are more confident, they do a better job. We are in a rapidly changing environment. The more knowledgeable we are now, the better suited we will be to manage the issues and challenges that we face in the future. This is especially important in a small co-op because our folks have the opportunity to be involved in many different areas of the Cooperative. —Scott Peters, CEO, Columbia REA

Sheila Shelton joined Columbia Rural Electric Association (REA) in 2006 as a billing coordinator. Just last year, she completed the NRECA’s Cooperative Financial Professions Certificate Program, bestowing her the title of Senior Accountant at Columbia REA. But this isn’t her first move up the ranks.

“After working at Columbia REA for about 2 years, management decided they wanted to hire another person in accounting. The position required some college education, therefore I was not qualified to apply. I talked it over with Les Teel, our CEO at the time, and tried to sell myself based on my previous work experience,” she recalls.

“Les told me if I was willing to get the education they would give me a shot at the position. As a single mom of 3 kids, I was already busy and wasn’t sure how I could juggle mom life, work, and college, but I did it!” recalls Sheila now.

“I completed 2 years of online schooling, earned an AA in Accounting, and transferred to the accounting department in March of 2010.”

The Cooperative Financial Professionals Certificate Program is a 3-month program that requires 2 separate week-long, in-person training sessions, as well as a final project.

“Recently, I have been working with Jim Cooper, our CFO, to learn more about our budgeting process. This program really focuses on how to build a budget, what sorts of decisions go into creating a budget, and the role of the Board of Directors in budget planning,” says Sheila.

“I now have a better understanding of what resources are used what calculations are used, and how decisions are made in putting together a budget. The co-op world is very different from the private world, so this specific training for co-op financial practices and standards will be very helpful to me.”

Steve Owens, Columbia REA Member Services Communication Specialist, has received the Certified Cooperative Communicator designation. The Certified Cooperative Communicator (CCC) program aims to provide the knowledge and skills co-op communicators need to effectively communicate and increase their effectiveness within the co-op and with members and the community.

Steve is the first person at Columbia REA to complete the Certified Cooperative Communicator program, which is a mixture of online and in-person instruction requiring 2 1-week off-site training sessions, and full-day online classes 1 day per month for 6 months. Altogether, it’s about 110 hours of required training.

Steve’s previous work history includes 4 years at the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce and 15 years at KOMO Television in Seattle. He is closing in on 30 years of marriage to his lovely wife Robin and has 2 daughters, ages 27 and 22. He still has 2 youngsters at home, however; a 4-year-old Lab retriever mix named Buddy, and a 2-year-old Chiweenie (Chihuahua/ Dachsund) named Sir Charles.

“I’ve been to a few conferences and seminars, and gone through a training program or 2 at various points along the way,” says Steve.

“This was the best, most high level, relevant, and applicable training I’ve received. The topics were spot on in terms of the kinds of challenges that co-op communicators face on a daily basis, and the instructors were fantastic… real pros with real-world experience to share.”

“I am looking forward to using what I have learned, and being better at my job.”

Charlie DeSalvo, Energy Efficiency and Marketing Specialist has been with Columbia REA since 2019. With a career’s worth of experience in Key Accounts sales and account management, the Northwest Public Power Association’s Key Account Management Certification program that Charlie completed in 2023 seemed like a natural opportunity to build on the strengths that Charlie already brings to the table. This program is designed to help key account managers understand how to leverage your utility’s resources effectively to create value for your most impactful customers in the most efficient, cost-effective manner. From billing questions to conservation to coordination of energy audits, the service Charlie provides to our key accounts fills a very important role within the co-op.

As an Energy Efficiency specialist, Charlie works closely with BPA and manages all of Columbia REA’s efficiency programs. He enjoys helping our members become more savvy about their electricity usage and matching them with the right programs and tools to help our members save money as a result.

“Working at a small co-op means wearing several different hats at times,” notes Charlie.

“Being able to bring my knowledge of energy efficiency and account management together gives me a natural starting point for having meaningful conversations with all our members, particularly our key accounts.

“I can bring real value to the time we spend talking with our members, and that is important.”