< Back

Contact:
Tracy Warren
Phone: 703-907-5746
Mobile: 703-517-3411

J.E. “Gene” Smith receives Clyde T. Ellis award from NRECA president F.E. “Wally” Wolski. Photo Credit: Michael Lynch

Atlanta, Georgia, February 16, 2010 -- The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) today awards the prestigious Clyde T. Ellis Award to J.E. “Gene” Smith, CEO of Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CHELCO) for his service and dedication to the cooperative program. Smith received the award at NRECA’s 2010 Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.

Smith has shown leadership at the local, state and national level. As CEO of CHELCO he has demonstrated business acumen and financial insight and made tough decisions on rates and spending at the co-op to maintain and improve the viability of the co-op.

At the state level, Smith has volunteered his time to serve with distinction on the boards of Alabama Electric Cooperatives, Inc. and PowerSouth Energy Cooperatives.

The electric cooperative program is stronger today because of leadership provided by Smith on both the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) and the national Cooperative Services Corporation (NCSC). Recognizing his abilities, his peers elected him president of both organizations.

Smith played a critical role bringing together members of the Capital Credits Task Force and building the necessary consensus to produce a final report with unanimous support. The report reaffirmed the vital importance of capital credits as a key aspect of the “cooperative difference” and provides clear, important guidance for cooperatives nationwide.

“Working with Gene was a privilege,” said Sheldon Peterson, CFC governor and CEO. “His foresight, guidance and commitment to the electric cooperative program has provided – and will continue to provide – an inspiration to all who know and work with him.”

“Gene Smith’s leadership in one of the most challenging and critical areas of cooperative management – financial management – has helped maintain and protect the integrity of the cooperative program nationwide,” said NRECA president F.E. “Wally” Wolski.

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national service organization that represents the nation’s more than 900 private, not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide service to 42 million people in 47 states.

More than 9,000 representatives from cooperative electric utilities across the nation are attending the NRECA Annual Meeting, February 15-18, at the Atlanta Convention Center, during which they will set NRECA’s legislative and organizational agenda for 2009. In addition to considering and acting upon policy resolutions, delegates receive reports from NRECA officials, hear addresses by key public figures and business experts, and attend panel sessions on major issues affecting electric cooperatives and their consumer owners.

Printable Version