Thankfulness

On Oct. 15, I attended Caney Fork Electric Cooperative’s annual meeting. On the morning drive to McMinnville from Nashville, the fall foliage provided proof that the hot days of summer are firmly in the past. It was a beautiful, relaxing drive to the nursery capital of the world.

As I drove, I thought about the number of electric cooperative annual meetings I’ve attended over my career. It’s a big number. Despite my background as an accountant, I didn’t get too involved in the calculation. I’ve found it’s reasonably important to pay attention as you drive the roads, at least according to my insurance company.

My best guess is that I’ve attended well over 200 annual meetings, dating back to my time working at Tri-County Electric in Lafayette and continuing in my current role. That’s a lot of hot dogs, hamburgers and barbecue sandwiches — as evidenced by my waistline. I have attended meetings in high schools, churches, theaters and tents; quite a few on co-op office loading docks; and even one inside a cave.

The venues and the food are secondary to the purpose of the meetings, of course. Electric cooperatives are owned and operated by the people we serve, and those meetings are business meetings. As I’ve said many times before, it is important for you as a consumer-owner of your co-op to stay informed.

As I look back at the past, I’ve been honored to work for the men and women of Tennessee’s electric co-ops and for the 2.5 million Tennesseans who get their electricity from a cooperative.

For that opportunity, I thank you.