October is one of my favorite times of the year because it gives us an opportunity to celebrate what makes electric cooperatives special. October is National Cooperative Month, and at Central, the heart of our cooperative is our members.

You are more than customers who receive an electric bill each month. You are the reason Central exists, and your participation, feedback and involvement are what help shape the future of this cooperative.

We saw that participation firsthand at our recent Kilowatts and Brats events. Members came out to visit with our employees, ask questions and talk about issues that matter the most. I had the opportunity to visit with many of you personally and talk through your most pressing questions and concerns. These conversations are incredibly valuable. They remind us that the work we do every day directly impacts the lives of the people and communities we serve.

That member connection is one of the things that makes cooperatives special.

We also saw your cooperative participation recently through the election process in District  7. Members in District 7 took the opportunity to vote, and the incumbent, Randy Ethridge, was elected to retain his seat on the board. Our trustees play an important role in representing our membership and providing leadership and oversight for Central.

Our Annual Meeting is another important opportunity for members to participate in the cooperative. This year’s Annual Meeting will be held Tuesday, October 6 at four drive-thru locations across Central’s service area.

These moments of participation, whether attending an event, asking a question, voting in an election or simply reaching out to us, are what keep our cooperative strong.

As we celebrate Cooperative Month, I want to thank you for being an active part of Central. A cooperative is only as strong as the members who support it, participate in it and hold it accountable.

Our team works hard to operate efficiently not only to continue to provide you with safe, reliable and affordable electricity, but also to serve you to the best of our ability.

You have a voice here. You have a vote. You have a seat at the table. Most importantly, this is your cooperative.

I hope to see you all at Annual Meeting on October 6, and I look forward to continuing the conversations we’ve started at Kilowatts and Brats and throughout our communities.

Thank you for allowing us to serve you and for being an important part of the Central family.