Rural Missouri - November 2022 - 18

AMEC's employees gathered for this group photo during the meeting. The staff is devoted to helping Missouri's co-ops prosper.
CHALLENGES & CHAMPIONS
AMEC annual meeting brings electric co-ops to Branson
by Jim McCarty | jmccarty@ruralmissouri.coop
photos by Rural Missouri staff
ith a rousing rendition of the national anthem
by Gascosage Electric employee Melinda
Stormes, the Association of Missouri Electric
Cooperatives kicked off its annual meeting Oct.
6 in Branson. The electric cooperative managers, directors
and key staff attending heard from Gov. Mike Parson,
learned about co-op issues from CEOs from other states,
received an election forecast from Jeff Roe, found common
ground with Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins and
listened to a stirring speech from Lauren Bailey, who took
part in the 2022 Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.
The association also thanked a trio of state legislators
by presenting its Legislative Leadership Awards to Reps.
Dan Houx and Mike Haffner and its Co-op Champion
Award to Sen. Caleb Rowden.
" This is my fifth annual meeting, and I feel like a true
part of the cooperative family now, " Caleb Jones, CEO
of the association, told the group. " We exist to educate,
advocate and oversee programs that might be too large for
any one cooperative to do on their own but can be accomplished
when we work together. "
Leading the meeting as president of the board was Darrell
Atchison from Ozark Border
Electric. " As a member of the
board and president of AMEC, the
decisions I help make here affect
not just my home co-op but every
co-op - and member - around
the state. I've learned that the
things AMEC does don't cost
us, they actually save us money
thanks to the cooperative business
model, " he said.
Gov. Parson is no stranger to
the state's electric co-ops. As a
member of Southwest Electric,
he enjoys meeting with the rural
leaders at every opportunity.
In his address the governor
18 RURAL MISSOURI | NOVEMBER 2022
W
touted the tax cut he signed into law, calling it " the largest
tax cut in the history of the state. " He also pointed out
the historic funding aimed at bringing high-speed internet
service to rural people.
" If we can flip a switch, and a lightbulb comes on in
your house, we can do the same thing for broadband, " he
said. " The only way that will happen is through you. The
co-ops will play a such a major factor in whether that happens
in rural Missouri or not. "
Gov. Mike Parson and AMEC CEO Caleb Jones share a
laugh on stage during the governor's message.
Parson closed by saying that, as a public servant for
most of his life, he understands why those in the audience
work at electric co-ops or serve on their boards. " At the
end of the day, you've got to feel good about what you do, "
he said. " When you come to Jefferson City and say something
we are going to be listening. "
During the meeting the association honored several
people for their service. David Tudor, CEO of Associated
Electric Cooperative, received the Frank Stork Democracy
Award for his work to preserve the reliable power supply
network in the state. Dave McNabb, retired chief financial
officer for Associated, was the 2022 Distinguished Service
Award winner. He was honored for his efforts to cut costs
at the state's cooperative power supplier.
And Kevin White, retired engineer for Northeast Missouri
Electric Power Cooperative, was presented with the
Jim McNabb Engineering Excellence
Award for his work improving
the electric cooperative grid.
The association also honored
one of its own with a new award
called the Co-op Legacy Award.
This went to Linda Bolten, who
with 40 years of service is the
longest-tenured employee in the
association's history.
" Looking forward, I'm excited
for AMEC and our unique threetiered
system, " Jones added.
" Our future rests on our ability to
provide meaningful and valuable
service to you and your memberowners
at the end of the line. "

Rural Missouri - November 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Rural Missouri - November 2022