Appalachian Electric Cooperative

213 Pages·2016·40.45 MB·English

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Appalachian Electric Cooperative — Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative
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AS I SEE IT
Manager’s Viewpoint
AEC’s greatest strength —
bar none
our Cooperative has many I’m proud, too. As your General
assets. Over the years, Manager, I have a unique
we’ve made wise appreciation for what we are able to
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investments in various access and draw from on behalf of
facilities and systems that those we serve. But there is
work hard and improve one asset that is worth
reliability. For example, we more than all the others.
have a physical plant It’s indispensable to our
EC’s business offices will
Aclose at noon on Friday, (things like wires, poles, work. It is flexible, diverse,
December 23, and reopen at transformers, substations, powerful, and with each
7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December
etc.) worth about passing year it increases in
27. The Co-op will also be closed
$125 million. Our debt-to- value and performance.
on Monday, January 2. We look
forward to many opportunities to equity ratio — you might I’m referring to the
serve you in 2017. think of it in terms of how Greg Williams employees of AEC.
much “ownership” you AEC General Manager The men and women
have of your house — is who report to work here
excellent. We have a technologically each and every day — and more than
advanced SCADA system that allows a few nights — are the single most
us to remotely monitor and control important factor in defining who we
substations, breakers, voltage are and how we serve our members.
regulators and other field equipment. There are many local companies with
Our members can be proud of these more employees and many
resources and strengths. Our lives are cooperatives with a larger workforce.
better in so many ways because of the But I’m here to tell you that none
return realized in terms of reliability, have folks working for them who are
affordability, efficiency, safety and more dedicated to fulfilling their
f your phone rings, be ready! much more. organization’s mission than are the
IOur partners at Touchstone
Energy will be conducting a Snapshot: AEC’s workforce
random telephone survey of AEC
members during the months of Number of employees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
December, January and February.
Average age. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
It’ll take a little time to complete,
County of residence
but the results of “The
Cooperative Difference” survey Jefferson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56%
are very important. We draw from Grainger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26%
the perspectives of our members
Hamblen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13%
to design programs and service
Sevier/other counties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5%
options that meet the needs of
those we serve. And your Length of AEC service
feedback on our performance Fewer than 5 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20%
works like a report card to help us 5-20 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57%
know how to improve. Thanks for
More than 20 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23%
taking time to weigh in. We
appreciate your participation and Total hours worked in FY 2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168,000
value your feedback. Overtime hours worked in FY 2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,600
20 The Tennessee Magazine
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men and women who take care of business here at At the end of the day, it really does matter how we
AEC. handled a complaint, how we built a new service,
Each day, I have the opportunity to observe how how we set or read a meter, how we took a payment,
our employees interact with our members and how how we designed a new substation or engineered a
they handle all the various situations that arise. Some transmission line, how we rendered a bill, how we
issues are complex, while others are simple — but maintained our trucks, how we shared information on
they are all unique and require attention to detail and our website, how we stocked our warehouse or
a commitment to quality. simply how we answered a member’s question.
That’s where our folks really seem to shine. They Want to know more about what makes us who we
understand that they work for our members, and they are here at the Co-op? Just look around. If you take a
appreciate what an honor that is. In most cases, our look at the shopper next to you at the grocery store
employees are AEC members, too! That’s just one check-out line, the person sitting on the pew in front
more reason they are motivated to achieve excellence. of you at church, the coach of your kid’s Little
They are continually aware that we’re not in business League team, the person you see picking up litter
to make a profit but rather to be of service to our along the lake shoreline or the neighbor who never
members. They getit. (For a closer look at just a few sees your car go by without waving, you’re liable to
of the talented and dedicated folks who make up the spot AEC employees. They are highly skilled and
AEC workforce, I hope you’ll check out the trained professionals, and I so appreciate who they
individual profiles on pages 22 and 23.) are and the contributions they make. In the office or
At the Co-op’s recent annual meeting, I marveled out in the field, they come to work and do what they
at the way in which our employees embraced the do best: adding value to our Cooperative and living
chance to interact with our members. Not merely to out our mission.
“meet and greet” but to actually connectwith those At this special time of year, I would like to extend
we serve — talking about the issues and listening to my best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy
members’ concerns. Our employees want to know New Year to our members, our Directors and
what’s on your mind, and so do I. It helps us do a especially to our workforce. The next time you
better job for you, and that’s our number one goal. As happen to see an AEC employee, I hope you’ll take a
we say around here, “Because you’re not just a utility moment and share a word of thanks for a job well
customer. You’re a Co-op member.” done.
Here at your Co-op, our work never ends. Unlike many businesses or commercial operations, AEC never closes for a “snow
day.” Sort of like emergency response personnel, our employees are always on duty and standing by to answer the call.
Weekends, holidays and summer vacation: the fact is, somebody has to be here to help keep the lights on. And these men and
women are proud to be the ones to do it.
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Working for the members
AEC employees talk about what they do and why they do it
Johnny Watkins, AEC member
members dealing with meter access issues.
from Talbott Job satisfaction comes from:
“Taking pride in my work
Years of Co-op service: 7
and in the company I work for. Everybody here cares
Title: Storeroom Clerk
about our members and realizes that we work for them.
Job involves:
Pulling materials I spent 25 years in the Service Department before I
on a “pick list,” loading them took this position, and the relationships I built with
onto a cart and making sure line members, building contractors and electricians will be
crews have what they need to with me the rest of my life. People will see me out
accomplish the day’s work. somewhere and mention our interaction — even if it
Requisitioning materials to happened years ago. I helped them, and they remember
maintain stores. Unloading delivery trucks and stocking that.”
How what she does ultimately serves Co-op members
warehouse shelves. Moving materials with a forklift.
and makes their lives better:
Maintaining the pole yard. Delivering materials to “I think about it in terms of
crews in the field. Completing paperwork for items my own experience. I want to know that I’m paying for
received. Coming in to provide assistance to crews exactly the amount of electricity I use. So if it’s
involved in restoring power after storms. Assisting in important to me to have that assurance, I know that it’s
annual inventory of approximately $1.5 million in important to our members, too. Meeting their needs is
materials stored in AEC’s warehouse. our top priority, and it’s why we’re in business. Service
Best part of the job:
“Mornings when the line crews get is what we’re all about.”
ready to go out and evenings when they come in. We
Heather Letterman, AEC member from Jefferson
carry on with each other and have a big time. They may
City
be coming to me to re-stock their truck stores or
Years of Co-op service: 9
whatever. But we’ll talk and joke and kid each other
Title: Engineering Clerk
while we work.”
How what he does ultimately serves Co-op members Job involves:
Entering data to
and makes their lives better:
“If my department doesn’t generate a variety of monthly
have the proper materials ready, then it takes longer to reports on topics such as pole-
get the lights back on or put up that new electric pulling to Tennessee One-Call to
service. AEC members are my neighbors and friends. I daily service orders. Processing
want to do my very best for them, and it takes all of us personnel and vehicle time sheets
working together to make that happen.” for Engineering & Operations.
Filing work order drawings.
Joyce Hodge, AEC member from Grainger County
Completing paperwork for
Years of Co-op service: 46
testing reclosers. Handling
Title: Assistant to the Director of Office Services
notifications for pole attachment transfers. Ordering
Job involves:
Verifying that residential bills are correct office supplies. Making pole tags for city street lights.
before they go out. Making sure that address changes Inspecting fire extinguishers and restocking first-aid
are made and that each member kits. Filling in on the switchboard as needed.
What it means to work for AEC:
is being billed at the correct “As a full-time working
rate. Checking to see that parent of a special-needs child, I could not have asked
information on work orders is for better support from my employer. Everyone here
correct before they are sent to has been extremely understanding of my need for
the Co-op’s Accounting flexibility. Knowing that you are valued not just for
Department. Corresponding your contributions but as a person is incredibly
with members on billing-related meaningful. It makes you want to do your best.”
How what she does ultimately serves Co-op members
issues and handling any
and makes their lives better:
adjustments. Writing letters to “My work is definitely
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‘behind the scenes,’ but it’s just as important as jobs suspected. Installing metering equipment for
that involve interaction with members. Those of us in commercial/industrial members and reading the “power
support positions (and there are many throughout AEC) route.” Overseeing three-phase meters to make sure
are aware that our role is to help keep our departments there are no communication issues. Verifying the
on track by making sure that our co-workers can easily accuracy of substation meters so that AEC is charged
find the files they need or transfer data from the reports fairly for the electricity we purchase from TVA.
we’ve pulled together. Ultimately, that keeps the Co-op Ordering metering equipment such as seals, meter
running smoothly and performing effectively on behalf rings, current/voltage transformers, etc.
Biggest job-related challenge:
of our members.” “The sheer number of
meters we’re responsible for is staggering: more than
Jeremy Loveday, AEC member from Jefferson City
45,000 at last count. Our crew is mindful of the fact
Years of Co-op service: 12
that the consequences are not insignificant if something
Title: Journeyman Lineman
should go wrong, so we are really hyper-focused on
Job involves:
Hooking up new overhead and ensuring accuracy.”
How what he does ultimately serves Co-op members
underground electric service. Restoring power after
and makes their lives better:
outages. Changing out poles. “A former co-worker of
Building power lines. Tasks mine always described our department as ‘the cash
related to substation register of the Co-op.’ It’s a point of pride with us to be
maintenance. Replacing able to say that AEC members are billed for only what
switches and transformers. they use — not a penny more, not a penny less.
Educating members through Fairness matters just as much to the Co-op as it does to
safety demonstrations. the people we serve.”
Job satisfaction comes from:
Kristina Noe, AEC member from Rutledge
“When our line crews get to a
Years of Co-op service: 1
job site, everybody knows what
Title: Customer Service Representative
to do and just does it. We take a
Job involves:
lot of pride in doing it right so we don’t have to go Setting up new accounts/memberships,
back and fix what we should have done the first time completing service orders to turn
we were there. There are lots of times I might be out on power or to turn off power.
driving with my family somewhere in our service area, Issuing electrical permits for
look up alongside the road and point out the work renovations or new construction.
we’ve done. When I tell my little boy, ‘We built that Handling requests for security
line,’ it means something.” lights. Answering trouble calls
How what he does ultimately serves Co-op members and
when there’s an outage. Signing
makes their lives better:
“It’s all about getting their lights members up for Co-op FlexPay.
Best part of the job:
on and keeping ’em on. Our members really need the “Helping
electricity we provide. When we go out in the rain, people. It’s a big responsibility
wind, snow, ice or in zero-degree temperatures, every to be in the Service Department because we’re the first
AEC lineman is thinking about the people in those dark contact people have with the Co-op. Their interaction
or cold houses and how much they’re depending on us.” with us can determine what they think of AEC,
sometimes for a long time to come. I love to do
John Turner, AEC member from New Market
whatever I can to help put a smile on their faces.”
Years of Co-op service: 17 How what she does ultimately serves Co-op members
Title: Metering Supervisor and makes their lives better:
“Here’s an example. Let’s
Job involves:
From the say someone’s just moved here — maybe from out of
equipment associated with the state. That’s a stressful time with lots of things to figure
smallest residential user to that out. I want to make sure their experience with AEC is a
of the largest commercial good one. Our department is committed to the idea that
member, making sure Co-op obtaining new service — or transferring existing
meters are accurate. Testing new service, for that matter — is easy and fast. We’re going
meters prior to installation and to do whatever we can to make that person remembers
existing meters if a problem is that he or she was treated well at the Co-op.”
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Here in Co-op Country
Antiques by the barn-full
By Becky Burks, AEC Communications Coordinator
ou might want to stop by if you happen to be in good deals. He’d
the market for a pale blue salt-glazed soap dish ask around to see
in the shape of a cat’s face, a hay trolley, a 1938 if folks had any
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Ohio license plate, a sow-belly cabinet, a Stanley antiques for sale,
Sweetheart wooden level, a United Mine Workers Journal and the word
from 1959, a Purina chicken feeder, a rural mailbox dated spread. Then
Hixon says she finds inspiration in how hard
1900, a pie safe, a driving map of Paris from 1956, a shoe people started women had to work back in those days —
last, a Delta bicycle light or one dozen Johnson’s folding bringing items to put food on the table, to take care of the
cardboard goose decoys — eight regular and four feeding. here to see if children, to keep the family clothed.
All these things and much more are on display — and for we’d be
sale — at a big barn in Rutledge (properly known as interested in buying them. The crafts fell by the wayside,
“Country Shed Antiques”) owned and operated by Doris and the antiques just sort of took over!”
Hixon. But not just anyantiques. You won’t find examples of
A lifelong Grainger County resident, Hixon got into the Baroque, Rococo or Louis XVI furnishings under the tin
antiques business in a roundabout way. She and husband roof. Hixon’s taste runs almost exclusively to what’s referred
David acquired a dozen acres and a barn (the land was to as “primitives:” loosely defined as early American farm
originally part of the McCoy estate) back in the early 1980s. household items/furniture — in this case, with a healthy dose
In 1996, she opened a gift shop in the front of the barn — of farm implements and tools sprinkled in.
basically three rooms filled with handmade crafts. The rustic barn space — including a loft — makes the
Hixon explains how the emphasis shifted from handcrafts perfect setting for well-worn pieces that have a special kind
to antiques: “Jim Looney approached me about putting of charm all their own. Hixon is careful to display each item
some old pieces in my gift shop on to its best advantage, thereby
consignment. It didn’t take long for me Country Shed Antiques avoiding the ultra-cluttered
to notice that the items were selling — 1662 Highway 11W South, Rutledge appearance that characterizes some
even young people were buying these Hours: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. antiques shops. She gives her pieces
antiques. Then David and I started Weekdays by appointment; the space they need to be seen by
going to auctions and coming home call 865.209.1103 customers and enjoys finding items
with a truckload when we found some that work well with each other.
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Referring to her efforts
to create this visual
harmony, she explains
that “the piece shows
the cabinet off, but the
cabinet also does
something for the
piece.” Strategically
placed lamps are
scattered throughout
the space, creating a
warm glow that invites
browsing.
Hixon didn’t come
by the know-how
needed to run a
successful antiques
business without a lot
of hard work, and she
cautions others about
If it was used out in the field or in the barn, look for it up on the second floor.
thinking they can jump
right in and get rich: “If you love it, then go for it — and the first to admit. “I chanced upon a piece of Craftsman-
don’t give up. You’ll have some lean times, especially at style Roseville pottery for $15,” she recalls. “Wasn’t sure
first, but if you treat people right, you’ll get some regular what I had until I did some research, but it turned out to be
customers.” She thoroughly enjoys talking to people and has a rare piece worth at least $2,000! Of course, there were
had visitors from many parts of the U.S. and as far away as also some ‘deals’ where I ended up having to take quite a
France. bit less than what I originally paid for an item, but that’s
She says one of the best parts of the business is the the way it goes sometimes.”
satisfaction she gets from cleaning up a newly acquired One of the hardest skills she had to learn to master was
piece — taking something old and overlooked or neglected that of negotiating a price. “I had to get used to dealing,”
and “showing it some love.” Her approach involves making she says, “but once I caught on, I realized that’s just part of
it look as good as it can without losing the original the fun. I always try to sell at a fair price.” Hixon is also
character. She tries hard to preserve the patina of age, the happy to help customers find items that she might not have
unique characteristics that help tell the story of how the item on hand. “Just call me, and I’ll see if I can locate a source
has been used. for it,” she says. “It’s a thrill to be a part of the hunt for a
Speaking of stories, that’s one of the advantages of treasure; people get so excited, and I really share in their
buying antiques directly from the collector: Hixon can tell satisfaction when they find what they’re looking for.”
you at least a little something And if you should find yourself hankering after, let’s
about almost all of the pieces say, a wooden crate marked “CCC” that originally held tea
she’s acquired. Even if the from Ceylon (before it became known as “Sri Lanka”)
provenance is unknown, her destined for the men and boys working in one of the
appreciation for these primitives Civilian
is easy to see. “It’s a feeling of Conservation
respect for a way of life,” she Corps camps
says. “They had to make do back in the
with what they had, and they 1930s, well,
had to make things last. It’s chances are
especially touching to find an pretty good that
item that has undergone what Hixon can fix
“Primitives just appeal to was obviously a homemade you right up.
me,” says Hixon. “I’m the repair. Nothing was discarded or The interior of a pie
type of person who will wasted, and the ingenuity of safe is enhanced by
make curtains from feed a display of vintage
these people was remarkable.”
sacks and turn colanders linens and
Luck plays a role in a
into light fixtures.” household utensils.
business of this type, she’ll be
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This holiday season (or all year long), it’s the perfect
gift for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list
ou can Subscribeto Co-op Community Solar; located within our service area. If you believe in the good
for a one-time, up-front cost of $125 per panel, work of Habitat for Humanity, the Boys’ and Girls’ Club,
you are able to reap the benefits of solar the Rural Medical Clinic or any other nonprofits within
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generation without having to install a solar our service area, let them know by gifting them with
array on your property. You subscriptions. Or maybe you
can also Support Solar; by know someone who already
making a contribution to the “has everything.” Solve your
program, you can help ensure gift-giving dilemma by
the future viability of presenting a Share Solar
renewable energy resources. subscription. It’s a gift they’ll
But this time of year offers always remember, and it’s
the ideal opportunity to Share available to any individual
Solar. who obtains electric service
You can gift the from AEC. If you give
subscription of solar someone a Share Solar
generation to any AEC subscription and they move
member or any nonprofit out of our service area in the
organization, church or future, they can designate
educational institution served another AEC member or
by the Cooperative. A Share nonprofit organization to
Solarsubscription in honor receive their remaining bill
or in memory of someone is a credits.
meaningful gift that conveys It’s truly a “gift that keeps
a lasting legacy of respect for on giving.” Unlike a soon-to-
the environment. be obsolete digital device or
If a special teacher has made an impact on you, your a decorative object that does little more than gather dust on
child or your grandchild, consider a Share Solar a shelf, a Share Solar subscription given in honor or
subscription for his or her school. When a fellow church memory of someone before the end of 2016 will pay
member passes away, your place of worship will benefit dividends — in the form of monthly electric bill credits —
from a memorial Share Solarsubscription for many years for the next 20 years! Want to learn more? Visit aecoop.org
to come. Got an animal-lover on your list? Give a or call 865-475-2032, extension 1175, to learn how to give
subscription to a Humane Society or an animal shelter a gift that gives back.
26 The Tennessee Magazine
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Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation — Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative
CEMC DEC 2016.qxp_03_CEMC_1216_ 11/10/16 2:52 PM Page 20
Cumberland AS I SEE IT
Manager’s Viewpoint
Electric
Membership
Corporation
Giving back is the co-op way
CEMC Management and Staff
Jim Coode, General Manager
David Abernathy,
s some of you might agencies that know where the greatest
Operations Division Manager
Chris A. Davis, know, cooperatives across needs are.
Administrative Division Manager the globe adhere to the CEMC members help us give back,
Mark T. Cook, P.E. A
same Seven too. Through the Project
Engineering Division Manager
Michael Blackwell, Cooperative Principles that Help program, members
District Operations Manager
guide all our decisions — can choose to pay an
Annebelle Chester,
Human Resources Manager from how we run the co-op additional $1 or more on
Seth Roberts, to how we engage with our their electric bills each
Member Services Manager
local communities. Con- month to help pay the
CEMC Co-op News Editor
cern for Community is the utility bills of the elderly,
Julie Wallace
P.O. Box 3300 seventh principle, and it is disabled and/or those who
Clarksville, TN 37043 one that all CEMC employ- are not economically self-
Jim Coode,
Open Monday-Friday, ees value year-round. But sufficient right here in our
General Manager,
7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
during the holiday season, community. Last year,
800-987-2362 Cumberland
concern for community Electric Membership CEMC members
Ashland City office
Josh Gill, seems especially important. Corporation contributed more than
District Operations Supervisor Electric cooperatives $45,000 to the Project
Clarksville office
have a proud history of giving back. Help fund.
Kenny Davis,
District Operations Supervisor Each fall, CEMC holds a community So many families go without on a
Dover office
food drive to assist needy families in daily basis and struggle to make ends
Terry Odom,
District Operations Supervisor our area. Coordinated through local meet. This struggle can be especially
Gallatin office elementary schools, hard during the
Travis Akins,
the food drive brings “No matter how holiday season.
District Operations Supervisor
Portland/White House offices in thousands of There are many
Todd Hesson, great or small the
nonperishable food ways you can give
District Operations Supervisor
Springfield office items for distribution act, every time back to the
Nicky Roberts, through local community that go
District Operations Supervisor we give back, we
CEMC Board of Directors community- beyond dollar
Tommy G. Whittaker, assistance agencies. strengthen our donations. Take
Sumner Co., President CEMC employees some time to go
Wesley H. Aymett, also hold an in-house community.” through your closets
Cheatham Co., Vice President
Shela K. Williams, food drive in and find clothes that
At Large, Secretary-Treasurer conjunction with the community food no longer fit or have lost their use. Bag
K. Jean Beauchamp, Robertson Co.,
drive each year. those items up and take them to your
Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
Stephen E. Douglass, Stewart Co. Our winter clothing drive is local Salvation Army, Goodwill or
Charles R. Hancock, Stewart Co. another way CEMC lends a helping church clothing drive. Volunteer for a
Michael A. Mason, Robertson Co.
hand to those in need in our local food or toy drive, deliver meals
C. David Morgan, Montgomery Co.
Edward L. Oliver, Montgomery Co. community. If you visit our offices to the sick and the elderly or simply
Joe H. Whitaker, Sumner Co.
during the holidays, you will see make a meal for a neighbor in need.
Mission Statement “Trees of Giving” that serve as No matter how great or small the
Cumberland Electric Membership
Corporation is committed to providing collection points for coats, hats, act, every time we give back, we
dependable, affordable electric service gloves and other cold-weather strengthen our community. So take
through the expertise and dedication of
clothing items. These donations, too, the time to give back this holiday
competent leadership and a well-
trained and responsive workforce. are distributed by local assistance season. You’ll be glad you did.
20 The Tennessee Magazine