Rural Electricity Resource Council

Quick Facts

Office: 937-383-0001
Fax: 937-383-0003

Hours:
7:30 - 4:30 (EST)

Email us at:
info@rerc.org

Our 55th Consecutive Annual Conference, But The First For RERC

True to its theme, Electric Ideas For Rural Power Suppliers, the 2008 Annual Conference delivered “application-oriented” strategies to participants. With a mix of speaker presentations and the on-site tour, attendees gave the Nashville event high marks.

The photos shown here tell a portion of the story. Also, the feedback from attendees (below) was gleaned from comments listed on the Conference evaluation form:

One of the best ever; enjoyed the speakers & topics

Very practical & useful information

My first time attending; topics were timely; a good use of my time

Excellent conference as usual

My second conference; wish more would take this conference in; will tell others

Gary Gibson (insert), retired CEO of Southwestern Public Service Company (now Xcel Energy) was honored with the Distinguished Service Award. Prior commitments prevented him from attending, but company representative Brenda Holland was on-hand to accept the plaque from RERC Incoming Chair Mickey Miller of Nolin RECC in Kentucky.

Participants learn first-hand how water heaters are made as they shuttle around A. O. Smith’s mammoth water heater manufacturing plant.

The event also represented a transition into a new era for this Council. It marked the 55th consecutive Annual Conference sponsored by the organization, as well as the first one under the new name Rural Electricity Resource Council. During the Business Meeting portion of the Awards Luncheon, outgoing Chair Tom Killebrew formalized the transition with a vote from the membership.

To record this event and help all RERC members celebrate it, we have included below the message printed within the Awards Luncheon Program.

(The following, as printed in the 2008 Awards Luncheon Program, summarizes well the spirit shared at this year’s Conference)
With a history that began over 50 years ago, the Rural Electricity Resource Council is entering a new era in 2008. This is a transition year for the Council, as members embrace the new name for the organization. We join with you in celebrating this change.

Within this Awards and Recognition Program, you will notice both the prior name and the new name for the organization. Those who are honored for their past involvement did so under the National Food and Energy Council name. But there is a common thread that weaves its way from past to present. It is a shared goal among members to deliver strong customer service and education, with an emphasis on rural customer needs. It is a goal of extending the message of electricity’s value and safe use to a broad audience. These common elements can be shared by investor-owned companies, rural electric cooperatives, public power districts, and allied organizations alike.

The nature and mission of the Council will continue to evolve as it keeps pace with modern times. But the same fundamental need to keep customers educated will never change, and will lead RERC into the future. By joining together as an association, our individual members become more effective in serving their own customers. We invite others to become a part of this worthwhile program by showing their support with a membership.