Mike Guidry passes the gavel to new NRECA Board president Curtis Nolan. Photo credit: Mike Lynch

New Orleans, LA, Wednesday, February 20, 2013 —Outgoing president of the NRECA Board of Directors Michael Guidry passed the ceremonial gavel today to Curtis Nolan at the closing general session of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) 2013 Annual Meeting.

Nolan, who served as vice president of the NRECA Board since 2011, has served as the Board member representing Arizona since 2002.  Nolan, who lives in Willcox, AZ, has served as a director for Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative since 1993. 

For twenty years, Nolan has contributed to the cooperative mission in a various capacities:  from 1999 to 2006, he was a director for the Benson, Arizona-based Southwest Transmission Cooperative, serving as chairman for the first four years. He also served terms as the secretary, treasurer of the Phoenix, Arizona-based Grand Canyon State Electric Co-op Association.

By tradition, the NRECA Board President position alternates between directors and co-op managers.  Nolan takes over the position from Michael Guidry, who was general manager of the South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association.

Also today, Mel Coleman, CEO of the North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Inc., in Salem, AR, begins his term as vice-president of the NRECA Board.  Phil Carson, who has served as the NRECA Board’s Illinois director since 2006, was elected secretary-treasurer.

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.