'My greatest honor'

As I depart Noble REMC and enter the new phase of retired life on May 1, I would like to take a moment to reflect and give my thanks to all who have made my 24 years the most rewarding and deepest honor of my life.

Since I was young, I have always wanted to work for an electric co-op, which was known for its small-town, friendly atmosphere and for being a trusted resource and partner in the community. The most rewarding part of my job was being able to help those in need, even if they weren’t Noble REMC members.

Our fabulous team has accomplished so many great things in the last 24 years, and I am incredibly proud of them. My philosophy is that every individual on our team is as important as the other, and without their talent and dedication, our success would not be possible. It is no coincidence that Noble REMC remains one of the best REMCs in Indiana.

During my tenure, we faced many challenges. Soon after I was hired as a system engineer in 2001, the terrorist attacks on 9/11 occurred — changing the world as we know it. Then came the financial collapse of 2008, which was an extremely tough time for many of our members. 

The COVID-19 pandemic shut down our world in 2020 and prompted us to think outside the box to continue providing safe, reliable power at an affordable cost. As always, our resilient team successfully adjusted their lives to meet our members’ needs.

In all of this, I also want to applaud our remarkable board of directors, who are fellow members and your neighbors. We have a diverse and forward-thinking board that always looks out for the best interests of all members. That is another great part of being a small electric utility; when we need to make major decisions, we can take immediate action to ensure we continue providing reliable electric service to all.

Thank you to our wonderful members for allowing us to be your trusted energy provider. Your patience and goodwill go a long way when storms hit, and we are safely restoring your power. 

Being your CEO has been the greatest honor of my life. The timing for my retirement could not be better. I am so proud of the organization that Noble REMC has become, and I know we are poised for greater things ahead. It’s time for the next generation to push this organization to bigger and better things as our industry rapidly changes. For me, it’s time to kick back and enjoy family and fun times while I’m still young and healthy enough to enjoy life to the fullest. 

My heartfelt thanks for the great opportunities and experiences the co-op has provided me over the last 24 short years. Rest assured that Noble REMC will continue to provide reliable power and great customer service at an affordable cost, as you have come to expect.