Cooperative Living July 2021 - 6

Making Good Decisions
PowerfulCareers | by Jim Robertson, Staff Writer
F
or Mike Malandro, president and CEO of Choptank
Electric Cooperative, it's all about having a plan.
After high school, Malandro joined the Army. His
rapid-deployment unit was one of the first units in Bosnia,
where he spent a year. " I learned a lot about leadership there, "
says Malandro. " I learned a lot about who I am as a person ...
about what I was capable of. "
Malandro attributes his success today to his military career.
" It really prepared me for my roles today in the electric co-op
industry. It was a tougher time in my life. Coming out of the
military, while I was going to school, I got diagnosed with
cancer. " Training and discipline learned in the military allowed
him to persevere through that time of uncertainty.
He holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
2019 CHOPTANK
ANNUAL MEETING
Mike Malandro
President & CEO
Choptank Electric Cooperative
fromWest Virginia University, but admits he knew little
about co-ops before pursuing an engineering position with
Prince George Electric Cooperative in Waverly, Va. During
his 17 years, he progressed from system engineer to manager
to vice president and, eventually, to president and CEO.
Just over two years ago, Malandro accepted the role with
Choptank Electric and relocated to the Eastern Shore. " I love
the co-op, " says Malandro. " The co-op's mission aligns with
my values. "
He admits he could be chasing the corporate ladder
elsewhere, but coming to work every day at a co-op brings so
much value to his life. " You just can't put a price on that, "
he says.
Shortly after his arrival at Choptank Electric, he realized
the co-op had more than 650 miles of backbone fiber already
above and below ground. Working with employees, directors
and members, a strong grassroots campaign led to passage
of legislation that enabled Choptank Electric to use that
infrastructure as part of a sweeping broadband initiative.
" In my opinion, the co-op business model is all about
balance. Everything we do in this business, good and bad,
lasts a long time, so we need to make sure we're making
good decisions. " 
MailBag
MYSTERY CLEARED UP
So many times I've drafted - in my
mind - a thank-you letter for an article
that has enriched my life. Be it a day trip
suggestion, recommended
restaurant, event, or recipe.
The May 2021 Garden Muse
column, " A Dogwood for
all Seasons, " by Paula Steers
Brown, absolutely made my day. About
nine years ago my wife came home with
a dogwood tree. I planted it, and three
years later it began blooming after all
the neighborhood dogwoods were
done, and bloomed with leaves. Then,
later on, it would grow these weird
red Christmas-looking ornaments. I,
of course, knew this tree was different,
but had no idea what it was. Thank
4 | Cooperative Living | July 2021
you so much for clearing up a mystery.
I took pictures this year and posted on
Facebook with information from that
article. A high school chum, who lives in
Pennsylvania, thanked me, because they
too have a kousa dogwood and didn't
know what it was.
- Roger Dean, Woodbridge, Va.
KEEP HISTORY ALIVE AND ALONE
I just wanted to write that I've come
to enjoy reading the Cooperative Living
magazine - especially the
latest about " History Hidden
in the Walls. " History was
never my strong desire until
now. History is important
and it shaped us, how we
live, and how we got to be.
Without history, we are nothing. It
helps us know how we got to be and,
yes, there are complaints, but it's history
and provides us with interest, ideas and
knowledge. Without it, everything would
be a boring life. Keep history alive and
alone. I just really enjoyed the article.
- E. Daspit, Denton, Md.
WRITE US !
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We welcome signed letters of less than
250 words. Write: MAILBAG, P.O. Box
2340, Glen Allen, VA 23058-2340 or
email mailbag@co-opliving.com.
Please read and observe our policies
at co-opliving.com/mailbag before
submitting a letter.
co-opliving.com
PHOTO BY STEVEN JOHNSON
PHOTO BY HIANNA SABO/CHOPTANK ELECTRIC
http://www.co-opliving.com/mailbag http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living July 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Cooperative Living July 2021
