Learn more about previous winners of the J.C. Brown CEO Communication Leadership Award, which recognizes an electric cooperative or public power district chief executive officer/general manager who is committed to advancing communication at the cooperative and in the electric cooperative industry.
[section]
[section-item]
[row]
[column 4]
[image-caption title="Schauer" description="%20" image="%2Fprograms-services%2Fcommunications%2Fjc-brown-award%2FPublishingImages%2FSchauer%20headshot.png" width="1000" /]
2024: Darren Schauer, Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative
[accordions]
[accordion title="Highlights%20of%20Schauer's%20Win"]
- 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.
[/accordion]
[/accordions]
[/column]
[column 4]
[image-caption title="Wadsworth" description="%20" image="%2Fprograms-services%2Fcommunications%2Fjc-brown-award%2FPublishingImages%2FJeffWadsworthHeadshot.jpeg" /]
2023: Jeff Wadsworth, Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association
[accordions]
[accordion title="Highlights%20of%20Wadsworth's%20Win"]
- Advocated for electric cooperatives through testimony at the state legislature and has advised the White House as a member of a committee focused on making solar energy available to low- and moderate-income families.
- Earned the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) Power Players Electric Cooperative Utility of the Year award in 2018.
- Was named one our industry’s top innovators by Public Utilities Fortnightly magazine in 2020.
- Lead crisis communication efforts in response to Cameron Peak fire, earning over 81 million impressions across various media platforms and national and local news coverage.
[/accordion]
[/accordions]
[/column]
[column 4]
[image-caption title="Jones" description="%20" image="%2Fprograms-services%2Fcommunications%2Fjc-brown-award%2FPublishingImages%2FChris%2520Jones%2520Headshot%2520(1).jpg" /]
2022: Chris Jones
Middle Tennessee Electric
[accordions]
[accordion title="Highlights%20of%20Jones'%20Win"]
- Created a ‘Strategic Compass,’ a visual representation of MTE’s purpose, mission, team, member touchpoints, tactics and external perception and how these areas work together to advance the co-op in its overarching goal
- Re-branded and promoted MTE’s charitable foundation, helping to facilitate the distribution of over $10 million in grants to 500+ charitable organizations within their service area.
- Partnered with local broadband provider to make fiber and high-speed internet available to unserved and underserved areas.
- Championed the acquisition of Murfreesboro Electric Department, establishing MTE as the second-largest electric cooperative in the country.
[/accordion]
[/accordions]
[/column]
[/row]
[/section-item]
[/section]
[well color="primary"]
Full List of J.C. Brown Award Winners:
- 2025: Kevan Espy, Cobb EMC, Marietta, Ga.
- 2024: Darren Schauer, Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative, Gonzales, Texas
- 2023: Jeff Wadsworth, Poudre Valley REA, Fort Collins, Colo.
- 2022: Chris Jones, Middle Tennessee Electric, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
- 2021: Randy Smith, Dixie Electric Power Assn., Laurel, Miss.
- 2020: Ted Case, Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Wilsonville, Ore.
- 2019: Duane Highley, Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp., Little Rock, Ark.
- 2018: Patrick W. O’Loughlin, Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives, Columbus, Ohio
- 2017: Curtis Wynn, Roanoke Electric Cooperative, Ahoskie, N.C.
- 2016: Kent Farmer, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, Fredericksburg, Va.
- 2015: Doug Johnson, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corp., Lenoir, N.C.
- 2014: Dan Blesi, Crawford Electric Cooperative, Bourbon, Mo.
- 2013: Michael D. Tirpak, Northwestern Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Cambridge Springs, Pa.
- 2012: Michael Sims, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., Oxford, Ohio
- 2011: E.A. “Bucky” Jakins Jr., Baldwin County EMC, Summerdale, Ala.
- 2010: Bob Ray, Flint EMC, Warner Robins, Ga.
- 2009: Chris Hamon, White River Valley Electric Cooperative, Branson, Mo.
- 2008: Ray Beavers, United Cooperative Services, Cleburne, Texas
- 2007: Jim Duncan, Sumter Electric Cooperative, Sumterville, Fla.
- 2006: Martin Hillert Jr., Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative, Friendship, Wis.
- 2005: Kyle Kuntz, Sam Houston Electric Cooperative, Livingston, Texas
- 2004: Brian Newton, Consolidated Electric Cooperative, Mount Gilead, Ohio
[/well]
See the Awards & Recognition page to learn about other communications awards programs.
