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The J.C. Brown CEO Communication Leadership Award recognizes an electric cooperative or public power district CEO/general manager who is committed to advancing communication at the cooperative and in the electric cooperative industry. Established in 2003, the award memorializes the late J.C. Brown and his unwavering dedication to the importance of communication as a vital link connecting electric cooperatives with each other and with their consumers, and to advancing the cooperative business model.
The recipient of the J.C. Brown Award is announced at the CEO Close-Up conference. The award recipient and their communications team are also recognized at the Connect Conference.
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If your CEO or General Manager champions exceptional communications at your cooperative, consider nominating them.
Individuals nominated for this award should demonstrate through their actions a clear understanding of and commitment to, the strategic role of communication in employee, member, and community relations. The executive should have a proven track record of advancing the role of communication at his or her electric cooperative, public power district, statewide association, or generation and transmission (G&T) system.
2024-2025 Entry Info
- Entry Payment Link
- The entry fee is $125.
- Call for Entries period: Sept. 9-Oct. 31,2024.
- Notification of entry status: Week of Dec. 2, 2025.
- Award recognition at the
CEO Close-Up conference, Jan. 12, 2025, Marco Island, Fla.
Helpful Resources
Ready for more inspiration as you consider a J.C. Brown award application? Check out the
list of past winners and highlights of recent winners.
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2024 Winner
Congratulations to
Darren Schauer, general manager and CEO of Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative in Gonzales, Texas, recipient of the 2024 J.C. Brown CEO Communication Leadership Award.
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Highlights of Schauer's Win
Initiated a dynamic five-year strategic framework. This approach fostered collaboration across the cooperative, transforming the business plan into a living communication tool. Created a focused and comprehensive roadmap that aligns goals with purpose and promotes communication at all levels. The plan's key focus areas include People and Culture, Customer Connectivity, Operational Excellence, Data and Analytics and Financial Performance.
Prioritized building meaningful connections with people, emphasizing a commitment to “delivering more.”
Earned Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award in 2021 as one of the top 50 CEOs in the U.S. Small and Medium Business category with a 97% approval rating.
Promotes a culture of transparency throughout the cooperative through consistent communication.
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If you have any questions, please reach out to the following individuals for assistance.
The J.C. Brown CEO Communication Leadership Award is sponsored by the Council of Rural Electric Communicators (CREC) in conjunction with the Spotlight on Excellence Awards Program.
Interested in learning about the namesake for this award? Read about the legendary wit of J.C. Brown here.
Visit the Awards & Recognition page to learn about other communications awards programs sponsored by NRECA and the CREC.
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For any questions or concerns with your entry, please contact Alexis Woodhouse, Alexis.Woodhouse@nreca.coop, 703-907-5714.
The J.C. Brown CEO Communication Leadership Award is sponsored by the Council of Rural Electric Communicators (CREC) in conjunction with the Spotlight on Excellence Awards Program.
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