With more than 200 electric cooperatives in the broadband field, NRECA has developed a new director education course to help co-op board members gain a comprehensive understanding of the governance, culture and risks of this fast-paced, competitive business.

Directors of co-ops deploying broadband throughout their service territory and beyond as well as those just testing the waters can benefit from the course, Oversight of the Broadband Business (BLC 986.1), said Cliff Johnson, NRECA Broadband director.

“Broadband is a great business, and the board plays an important oversight role,” Johnson said. “This new course is designed to help board members focus on the risks and opportunities and to provide constructive feedback to co-op leaders as the business grows.

“Like any business, broadband will require some challenging board-level conversations at times. This course can prepare directors and CEOs in advance so conversations can be more productive.”

Cadillac, Michigan-based Wolverine Power Cooperative recently hosted a pilot of the NRECA Board Leadership Certificate course, which attracted 23 directors from all seven of the electric co-ops in the state involved in different stages of broadband service.

“The feedback I got from my directors is, ‘Boy, I wish we would have had this on the front end, right?’” said Chris O’Neill, president and CEO of Portland-based HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative, which has fully built out its retail broadband to members.

“We can't go back in time, but what we can do is share where we're at, getting everybody to talk that same language and to understand the same dynamics. This course advances that.”

The class allowed participants to share their experiences and talk about acclimating to the competitive nature of the broadband business and its greater risks when compared to the electric side.

HomeWorks Chief Financial Officer Samantha Campbell, who observed the course, said she believed these discussions were a valuable component.

“We're asking the directors of these co-ops to take on a whole other business that's much more complex and establish the tone at the top and to understand the culture and the governance of the broadband business,” said Campbell. “Because everybody did it a little bit differently, it was that collaboration and discussion that was really helpful.”

The new course will be offered at the Winter School for Directors in Nashville, Tennessee, Dec. 15, and as a pre-conference workshop at the Directors Conference in Palm Springs, California, Jan. 25-28, 2026.

Texas Electric Cooperatives, headquartered in Austin, is sponsoring an offering of the course in San Antonio on Jan. 12.

For more information on booking a course at your co-op or co-op statewide association, contact NRECA’s Jessica Sutton.