BRMEMC Board of Directors Earn Certificates from NRECA

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — At the November Board of Directors meeting, two Board Directors—Danny Henson and Roy Perren—were awarded certificates from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

NRECA’s Director Certificate Programs are specifically designed to help electric cooperative directors, at every stage of their service, understand their roles and responsibilities, stay up-to-date on the key issues and trends in the industry and prepare them to meet the challenges facing electric cooperatives now and in the future. The courses are offered throughout the year and are offered in three parts, taken in progression from fundamental to advanced.

Henson from Union County, Ga., received the Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) Certificate. The CCD is a set of five courses that focuses on basic governance knowledge and the essential skills required of cooperative directors. The CCD prepares directors to fulfill their fiduciary duty as elected officials serving on behalf of their membership. The CCD is required for directors after two years of service on a board. After completing all five CCD courses, Henson was awarded the CCD Certificate by NRECA.

“The process of receiving this certificate has reaffirmed that as a board of director we have an obligation to our members to operate in good faith, how to conduct the business of an electric co-op, and to advocate for the members we serve,” said Henson.

Perren from Towns County, Ga., received the Board Leadership Certificate (BLC). The BLC is the second part of the director education program and consists of a series of courses focusing in greater depth on specific industry and governance issues. These include issues such as risk management, power supply, parliamentary procedure, technology, and policy development. Perren earned the BLC by completing the CCD first and then earning ten credits from a choice of over 20 BLC courses.

“By earning the BLC, I have gained more knowledge on the very complex issues and trends this industry and BRMEMC faces. I can make better decisions and be a positive influence within the board room,” said Perren. “I have been surprised at the complexity involved in being a board member for an electric co-op. Most of us board members are laypeople from varying backgrounds and it takes years to learn this complex industry. I would like to eventually earn the next level of certification which is Director Gold.”

Blue Ridge Mountain EMC’s Board of Directors consists of nine members elected from the five counties BRMEMC serves. Board of Directors are Ray Cook, president, Cherokee County, NC; Bert Rogers, vice president, Towns County, Ga.; Roy Perren, secretary, Towns County. Ga.; Cory Payne, treasurer, Clay County, N.C.; Danny Henson, Georgia EMC Director, Union County, Ga.; Jeff Ledford, Clay County, N.C.; Gayland Trull, Fannin County, Ga.; Jack Lance, Jr., Union County, Ga.; and Gene Mason, Union County, Ga. Directors serve a three year term and elections are held at the Annual Meeting each September.

For more information on Blue Ridge Mountain EMC or the Board of Directors visit brmemc.com.
 
About Blue Ridge Mountain EMC
Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation is a member-owned electric cooperative headquartered in Young Harris, Georgia, serving over 53,000 member-customers in Cherokee and Clay Counties in Western North Carolina, and Towns, Union and Fannin Counties in Northeast Georgia.  Organized locally in 1937, BRMEMC has invested well over $270 million in physical infrastructure in its mission to provide reliable electric and broadband services to its members where those services would not otherwise have been available. Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.