Shows
Along Those LinesAward-Winning CEO Shares Her Co-op's Communication StrategyEffective communication by electric co-ops—through good times and bad—builds member loyalty and better aligns and engages co-op employees. In this episode, Cherryland Electric Cooperative CEO Rachel Johnson, this year's winner of the J.C. Brown CEO Communication Leadership Award, shares her thoughts on how to leverage new and traditional media platforms to reach members and educate the public. She also gives tips on improving internal communication between co-op leadership and staff.
2026-02-1326 min
Build Better Boards24 | From Start to Finish. Part III of our Panel Discussion on Executive SearchIn the third and final episode of our executive search series, hosts Mitch Majeski, Dr. Keri Jacobs, and Richard Fagerlin continue the conversation with John Wright (Kincannon & Reed), Kevin Drury (Hedlin Ag Enterprises), and Leigh Taylor (NRECA). Together, they explore how boards can navigate their most important decision: hiring the next CEO. • Discuss when and how to keep staff and members in the loop while protecting confidentiality. • Explore the ideal timing for announcing a retirement and launching the search process. • Consider how much overlap there should be between outgoing and incoming CEOs. • Examine what boards can do when...
2025-09-2941 minBuild Better Boards23 | No Unicorns: Navigating the Realities of CEO Searches.In this episode of Build Better Boards, hosts Richard Fagerlin, and Dr. Keri Jacobs continue their conversation with John Wright (Kincannon & Reed), Kevin Drury (Hedlin Ag Enterprises), and Leigh Taylor (NRECA). The panel explores how boards should navigate internal versus external candidates, the importance of succession planning, and the common pitfalls that can derail a CEO search.Internal and external candidates should go through the same process; “courtesy interviews” create risk and do not serve the candidate or the board.Strong succession planning, transparent communication, and clear development paths help retain and prepare internal talent.
2025-09-1531 minBuild Better Boards22 | The Headhunter Dilemma. Part I of our Panel Discussion on Executive SearchIn this episode of Build Better Boards, hosts Dr. Keri Jacobs and Richard Fagerlin—joined by host Mitch Majeski—kick off a three-part panel on CEO succession and executive search. Guests John Wright (Kincannon & Reed), Kevin Drury (Hedlin Ag Enterprises), and Leigh Taylor (NRECA) unpack why boards mistrust “headhunting,” how retained vs. contingency models differ, and what it takes to run a disciplined, values-aligned search.Retained vs. contingency: retained firms emphasize process, fit, and partnership; contingency models can prioritize speed and resume volume. Boards should set clear expectations and understand tradeoffs.Selecting a firm: look for industry fluency, direct a...
2025-09-0250 min
SMECO ConnectsFrom High School to Capitol Hill | #24In this episode of SMECO Connects, Tom Dennison and Natalie Cotton sit down with Evelyn McCauley, a rising senior who just returned from the NRECA Youth Tour. Evelyn shares her surprising nomination story, the friendships she formed, and the unforgettable moment of asking tough questions to elected officials in Washington, D.C. Along the way, you'll hear: How a guidance office summons turned into a life-changing opportunity The hilarious chaos of a river cruise dance gone wrong Why civic engagement—and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone—matters more than ever Evel...
2025-09-0126 minAlong Those LinesExecutive Actions Underscore Co-ops' Reliability MessageEast Kentucky Power Cooperative's Tony Campbell joined President Donald Trump for a White House ceremony on April 8 to sign four major actions to boost power reliability and affordability. Campbell's invitation to speak at this event is a high-profile recognition of the role that co-ops have played in shaping the national conversation about grid reliability. Hear from Campbell as well as NRECA CEO Jim Matheson about the impact these executive actions will have on co-ops.
2025-04-1017 minAlong Those LinesGetting to Know New NRECA President Mike PartinEarlier this month, Mike Partin was elected president of NRECA at the PowerXchange conference in Atlanta. Partin has been CEO of Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative in central Tennessee since 2015. He joined the co-op in 1998 and has represented Tennessee on the NRECA board of directors since 2019. Hear from Partin about his thoughts on leadership, what the future looks like for electric cooperatives and what specific things he'll focus on during his two-year tenure as president.
2025-03-2525 min
Wireside ChatRegulation and ReliabilityAs a new presidential administration prepares to take office, the electric cooperative industry is focused on how the new regime might approach the burdensome regulations that are poised to threaten reliability as early as this winter. Host Nathan Grimm discusses both the national concern about reliability and how even locally leaders are expressing worry about the future. The letter from NRECA CEO Jim Matheson to President-Elect Donald Trump's Transition Team can be found here.
2024-12-1808 minAlong Those LinesImmediate, Irreparable Harm: The Impacts of EPA's Power Plant RuleThe EPA recently finalized its new rule to aggressively cut carbon dioxide emissions from power plants—a sweeping move that NRECA CEO Jim Matheson called "unlawful, unrealistic and unachievable." Critics across the industry have decried the regulation as a threat to reliability at a time when an already-stressed grid faces soaring demand. Hear from NRECA's Ashley Slater and Minnkota Power Cooperative's Mac McLennan about the rule, its impacts and how co-ops are working to reverse it.
2024-05-2126 min
Agri-Pulse Open Mic InterviewOpen Mic: Jim Matheson, CEO NRECAThis week’s Open Mic guest is Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. The nation’s rural cooperatives are being pushed to increase base load capacity to meet growing demand from businesses and computer storage facilities. But at the same time, new emission standards by the Environmental Protection Agency threaten the existence of generating plants providing electric service to more than 42 million Americans in 48 states. Matheson says as much as 80% of the power used by cooperatives comes from fossil fuels, including both natural gas and coal, and NRECA is pursuing litigation to stay and overturn the EPA’...
2024-05-1911h 48
C.O.B. Tuesday"If You Find Yourself In A Hole, The First Step Is To Stop Digging Deeper" Featuring Jim Matheson, NRECAFor today’s discussion we were pleased to host Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Jim’s distinguished background includes roles in both the public and private sectors. Prior to joining the NRECA in 2016, he served in the public policy practice at Squire Patton Boggs based in Washington, D.C. Jim was elected as a U.S. Representative for Utah from 2001 to 2015 and has significant experience in the energy industry. The NRECA is a vital national service organization representing over 900 consumer-owned electric cooperatives, collectively serving 42 million people across 48 states in the US. We were exci...
2024-05-0859 min
In The Loop - Power, co-ops, and the stuff you didn’t know you needed.Take Aim at Progress: Empowering rural communities through international electrificationOn this episode of In The Loop, learn all about “Take Aim at Progress”, a charity sporting clay shoot fundraiser for Georgia Electric Membership Cooperatives (GEMCs) and Vendors that raises money for NRECA's International Foundation in order to bring electricity to impoverished countries.Hear from Coweta-Fayette EMC's President & CEO Chris Stephens about the establishment and growth of the program, how it assists America’s co-ops in raising funds and actively supporting rural electrification in developing countries, and why it is important for us to support this program each year.
2024-04-2511 min
enx ei360 Podcastei360 Podcast Episode 25 - NEXT recap and the StarSandi Coughlin recaps the teams recent conference experience at NEXT, sponsored by Touchstone Energy Cooperative. CEO David Swank, emphasized the importance of consolidating data into one system for better analytics and decision-making. Attendees had hands-on experience with the ei360 platform, demonstrating its role in achieving sustainable energy outcomes. The enx Mobile Microgrid was a highlight, showcasing its components and capabilities in scenarios like power outages.
The team received positive feedback, and many thanks to Touchstone Energy for their support. The team is gearing up for upcoming events, including DistribuTECH and NRECA's Tech Advantage, where we will showcase alongside ecosystem alliance...
2024-02-0204 minAlong Those LinesWhat the AI Revolution Means for Electric Co-opsArtificial intelligence is poised to have a rapidly expanding impact on many facets of our lives—and the power industry is at the tip of the spear. How are electric co-ops already using AI, and how will it shape and change the way we approach operations, member services and our workplace culture in the years to come? Hear from Mike Walsh, a futurist, author and the founder and CEO of the consulting firm Tomorrow as well as a keynote speaker for NRECA's 2024 PowerXchange and TechAdvantage.
2024-01-1624 minAlong Those LinesACCESS Project Delivers Benefits of Solar to Co-ops' Lower-Income MembersThe Achieving Cooperative Community Equitable Solar Sources (ACCESS) project, a three-year, Department of Energy-funded effort in which electric co-ops have worked on innovative ways to bring the benefits of solar power to their low- and moderate-income members, is winding down at the end of the year. Learn more about ACCESS from Lisa Slaughter, NRECA research engineer, and Marshall Cherry, president and CEO of Roanoke Cooperative.
2023-12-1826 min
CFC Solutions CastEducating the Next Generation of Co-op CEOs—Top Tips for Developing Leadership TalentEducating the Next Generation of Co-op CEOs—Top Tips for Developing Leadership TalentIn this episode of CFC Solutions Cast, we speak with NRECA Executive and Staff Education Director Gary Pfann about what he’s learned during his more than 25 years of training cooperative executives. Pfann shares his expertise on building the next generation of cooperative leaders who are ready to meet the challenges of the future.Pfann discusses retirement trends electric cooperatives will face in the next decade, including retirements of executive staff, the importance of passing along institutional knowledge and the need for buil...
2023-12-1830 min
The Intentional Leaders Podcast: Helping ambitious leaders gain clarity, communicate with confidence, and lead with intention.Leading through Vision, Communication & Consensus with Jim Matheson, CEO NRECAWhat happens when you sit down with a seasoned leader and let the conversation flow? I found out in a recent chat with Jim Matheson, CEO of NRECA (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association), where he generously shares his insights from years at the helm, and what primarily drives his leadership strategy. This episode is teeming with revelations, particularly around the power of communication in leadership - a refreshing and much-needed perspective amidst the often polarized rhetoric of today's world.He shares the challenges and opportunities that lie within the industry, and how balancing the immediate problems with...
2023-09-1733 min
Agri-Pulse Open Mic InterviewJim Matheson, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEOThis week’s Open Mic guest is Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. After an extended tenure of serving his constituents in Utah in the U.S. House of Representatives, Matheson assumed the reins of the NRECA in 2016. Rural residents formed their own electric cooperatives in the 1930’s to bring electric service to their homes and communities. Today, those same member owned organizations serve over half of the land mass in the nation and more than 42-million customers. Matheson speaks to the challenges of meeting growing demand for electric power including electric generation and transmission. He is i...
2023-07-0924 minAlong Those LinesRaising the Alarm on Grid ReliabilityThe reliability of America's electric grid is no longer a guarantee amid government regulations forcing the disorderly closure of always-on power plants in favor of renewables and demand exceeding supply during critical times in several regions of the country. What have electric co-ops been doing to raise the alarm and offer solutions? Hear from NRECA CEO Jim Matheson and Associated Electric Cooperative CEO David Tudor.
2023-06-2231 min
Co-op Energy TalkS9E10 - The Big Picture: Discussing National Energy Issues and Solutions with NRECA CEO Jim MathesonCherryland Electric Cooperative had the exciting opportunity to host National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) CEO Jim Matheson at our 85th Annual Meeting. He spoke with members about what's happening with electric cooperatives at a national level. In this episode of Co-op Energy Talk, Cherryland CEO Rachel Johnson and NRECA Board President Tony Anderson sat down for a deeper discussion on the challenges at hand and what members can do to be part of the solution.
2023-06-2024 min
Everyday LeadershipBreaking Free From HR: A Journey Of Curiosity And Courage w/ Shaara RomanShaara Roman is the award-winning founder and CEO of The Silverene Group, a culture consulting firm that aligns people, strategy, and culture to optimize organizational performance. Shaara uses her global experience to craft and improve public, private, and non-profit workplace culture. Shaara held executive leadership positions in some of the areas largest organizations, including CGI, Fannie Mae, NRECA, and Visa and is also an adjunct professor.In this engaging podcast episode, our guest shares her unique journey, marked by a multicultural upbringing in Nigeria and a diverse educational background. She discusses her transition from a successful...
2023-06-061h 07
The Diverse Minds Podcast#191 The Conscious Workplace with Shaara RomanIn this episode of the Diverse Minds podcast, I speak with Shaara Roman about how businesses should focus on creating a healthy workplace culture by aligning people, strategy, and culture to optimize organizational performance.About my guestShaara Roman is the founder and CEO of The Silverene Group, a culture consulting firm that aligns people, strategy, and culture to optimise organisational performance.As an award-winning entrepreneur, board member, speaker, author, and experienced chief human resources officer, Shaara and her team consult with leaders to create healthy workplaces by helping them build inclusive workplace...
2023-04-2527 min
Power PlaysWhy Electrification Matters: Florida Co-op Linemen Change Lives in GuatemalaIn celebration of the 60th anniversary of NRECA International, this episode of Power Plays features Florida co-op employees who helped the program to electrify a small village in Guatemala. Steve Rhodes, CEO from CHELCO, outlines the project’s origins and stunning logistics. Jason Price with CHELCO and David Lambert with Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative Inc. describe how they managed volcanic rock, rudimentary tools and a language barrier to complete a life-changing mission.
2023-02-2227 minAlong Those LinesWhat It Takes for Co-ops to Enter the Broadband SpaceMore than 200 electric co-ops have already built or started work to offer broadband either on their own or in a partnership, and that number will only grow with billions in funding on the way to help close the digital divide. But what does it take for a co-op to create and run a broadband business? Hear from Craig Eccher, former CEO of Tri-County REC in Pennsylvania and its broadband subsidiary, Bill Gerski of Beacon Broadband, a subsidiary of Coos-Curry EC in Oregon, and NRECA's Paul Breakman.
2023-01-2423 minAlong Those LinesIntroducing NRECA BroadbandMore than 200 electric cooperatives already provide broadband, and co-ops' role in this space is poised to become more prominent amid new government funding and an unprecedented resolve in the wake of the pandemic to close the digital divide. NRECA Broadband, a new service tier launched this summer, will leverage NRECA's expertise, influence and reputation in helping co-ops enter the telecommunications sector. Learn more from NRECA CEO Jim Matheson and Chief Operating Officer Jeffrey Connor.
2022-07-1525 min
Agri-Pulse Open Mic InterviewNRECA CEO Jim MathesonThis week’s Open Mic guest is Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. The 900 consumer-owned coops in the nation are generally on solid footing and able to meet the needs of rural communities in the 47 states they serve. However, meeting the need for additional power demands will mean a significant investment in securing the base load as well as infrastructure. Matheson says over 60% of the current electric supply is being met with the burning of fossil fuels. Additional demand will need to be met with a reliable power supply. Electric cooperatives are assisting rural residents to ga...
2021-11-1400 minAlong Those Lines'A Cultural Reset'—How the Pandemic Has Elevated the Value of Soft Skills at Co-opsThe concepts of emotional intelligence and soft skills in the workplace have been around for a long time, but the COVID-19 pandemic has brought them to the forefront. As electric cooperatives assess how they've managed the challenges of the past 18 months, how have lessons they've learned informed business practices going forward? Hear from NRECA's Tracey Steiner and Charlie Dunn, CEO of Farmers Electric Cooperative in Greenfield, Iowa.
2021-07-2627 min
Along Those LinesLessons Learned From the Texas Power CrisisWhen an unprecedented Arctic blast and winter storm hit the Midwest and South in February, Texans faced days of outages and crippling power supply shortages. What happened in Texas, why was it so much worse there than in other states, and what can we learn from this situation? Hear from Mike Williams, CEO of Texas Electric Cooperatives, as well as Mark Jones, who was part of a University of Houston research team the surveyed Texas power consumers in the immediate aftermath of the storm.
2021-05-2527 min
Everything Co-op with Vernon OakesCurtis Wynn, NRECA's Board Pres, discusses how electric co-op industry manages change and innovationCEO Curtis Wynn, President of NRECA's Board of Directors discusses the five pandemics facing the US, and how the electric co-op industry is managing change and innovation.
Curtis Wynn is President & CEO of Roanoke Electric Cooperative. With nearly 42 years of experience in the electric cooperative industry, Curtis began his career at West Florida Electric Cooperative. He has served on the NRECA Board of Directors since 2007, where he is entering his last year as Board President. A graduate of Troy University, Curtis holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration and management information systems. Curtis has led numerous movements at his...
2021-01-2551 min
Along Those LinesWhat Is the Beneficial Electrification League?The beneficial electrification movement—using electricity to replace fossil fuels for everything from mowing your lawn to powering your car—has gained momentum and led to the formation of the Beneficial Electrification League. With chapters in states across the country and a national board, the league's mission is to increase understanding of electrification's economic, consumer and environmental benefits. The league's co-chair, Gary Connett, formerly of Great River Energy, and Tri-State G&T CEO Duane Highley, who heads its Colorado chapter, chat with us about their goals for the group and how co-ops are getting involved. This episode is sponsored by N...
2020-09-1622 min
Along Those LinesHow Co-ops Work With Federal Partners to Mitigate Wildfire RisksWildfires have caused massive destruction in Western states and across the country during recent summers. Electric cooperatives reduce fire risk by maintaining rights of way and keeping equipment up to date, but their efforts are often complicated by the need to coordinate with multiple government agencies that oversee federal lands. We talk to NRECA Regulatory Issues Director Janelle Lemen, Dave Markham, CEO of Central Electric Cooperative in Oregon, and the U.S. Forest Service's Jim Menakis about how these partnerships work and how they plan to make them better.
2020-08-0624 min
Along Those LinesCo-op Communications in Times of CrisisElectric cooperatives, by their very nature, are accustomed to dealing with disruptions large and small. But the landscape for managing crises is changing dramatically. Stephen Bell, NRECA's senior director for media and public relations, and Bill Coletti, CEO of the reputation management firm Kith, talk us through their advice on how to plan for, respond to and recover from events that interrupt our normal course of business. This episode is sponsored by G&T Communications.
2020-05-2020 min
Politics and Policy on the PotomacJim Matheson, CEO of NRECAMark Bloomfield discusses the impact of COVID pandemic with National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO Jim Matheson.
2020-05-1529 min
Along Those LinesHow Co-ops Are Ensuring Energy Access for AllAdvancing Energy Access for All, a new NRECA initiative, focuses on low- and moderate-income households who are at risk of being left out of some of the latest advances on the grid. Hear from NRECA's Adaora Ifebigh, who oversees the initiative, as well as Tony Anderson, CEO of Cherryland Electric Cooperative in Michigan, which has several programs aimed at helping members in need.
2019-12-1818 min
Agri-Pulse Open Mic InterviewJim Matheson, CEO, NRECAThis week’s guest on Open Mic is Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. The 900 member cooperatives of the NRECA have a keen eye on potential infrastructure legislation that may come before the 116th Congress. After serving seven terms in the House of Representatives, Matheson hopes a good portion of those funds will be directed to rural zip codes and pointed toward more than roads and bridges. Matheson speaks to a Trump administration proposal to sell some PMA assets, a need for investment in rural broadband and how potential climate change legislation could affect system reliability an...
2019-04-2100 min
Along Those LinesCan Electric Co-ops Bridge the Digital Divide?For electric cooperatives, the chance to play a role in bridging the digital divide brings a major opportunity to have lasting impacts on their rural communities. We're joined by two rural broadband experts, Mike Keyser, CEO of BARC Electric Cooperative in Millboro, Virginia, and Brian O'Hara, regulatory issues director in NRECA's government relations team, to talk about the key issues co-ops face in pursuing broadband projects.
2018-11-0821 min
Along Those LinesRural America and the Midterms: Co-ops Should Engage With CandidatesFrom the farmer at the end of the rural road to the commuters traveling the interstates to and from the suburbs, every electric cooperative consumer-member has a vote on Election Day. NRECA CEO Jim Matheson is reinforcing the value of each one of those votes. A seven-term congressman from Utah before taking the reins at NRECA in 2016, Matheson knows a thing or two about elections. In this debut edition of Along Those Lines, Matheson encourages all electric cooperative members to participate in the November elections. And he has a special message for co-op leaders about the...
2018-09-1918 min
Agri-Pulse Open Mic InterviewJo Ann Emerson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative AssociationOur guest this week is Jo Ann Emerson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. After a failed attempt to bring legislative change in carbon emissions through the US Congress in 2009, President Obama is now using the regulatory arm of the EPA to bring about a major reduction in carbon emission from fossil fueled power plants. The move brings no guarantee that other counties around the globe will follow the lead of the United States. Coal-fired power plants provide about 40 percent of the nation's electricity. Opponents of the administration's plan see the move as another attack on coal that...
2014-06-1600 min
Agri-Pulse Open Mic InterviewJo Ann Emerson, CEO NRECAJo Ann Emerson recently became the CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperatives after a distinguished seventeen year career as a U.S. Representative from Missouri. She is only the fifth leader of the NRECA since it's inception. Major concerns of Rural Electric Coop's, and their members, include the need for Congressional assistance to serve low population areas and increased regulation and other mandates placed on both generating and distribution cooperatives. Still, Jo Ann Emerson believes that REC's are leading the way in increasing the mix of renewable and clean energy to make electricity. She also addressed storm damage and...
2013-10-2100 min