Landing Page About[section][section-item][row][column 12]The LaBerge Award for Excellence in Strategic Communication recognizes an electric cooperative communicator with demonstrated excellence, influence, and impact in co-op communications, both as a practitioner and contributor across the network. The award was established in 2018 in memory of Justin Erick LaBerge, who served as the senior leadership communications manager for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Read the application criteria guidelines (PDF) for more detailed information. [/column] [/row] [/section-item] [/section]
Top ContentThe LaBerge Award for Excellence in Strategic Communications is one of the most prestigious awards presented annually to a co-op communicator who exemplifies excellence, influence, and impact in strategic communications. They embody the cooperative mission and principles making a remarkable difference within their co-op and the entire network. Helpful ResourcesApplication criteria guidelines (PDF) with details about the award and the entry process.Sample entry form (PDF)Call for Entries with judging info and rubric (PDF)
Landing Page Middle[section][section-item][row padding-right="20"][column 6]Congratulations to Laura Hengstenberg, manager of external and internal relations at Crawford Electric Cooperative in Bourbon, Missouri, recipient of the 2024 LaBerge Award for Excellence in Strategic Communication. Read more about Hengstenberg in our news article. [/column] [column 6][image-caption title="Laura%20Hengstenberg%20(center)%20accepts%20the%202024%20LaBerge%20Award%20from%20NRECA%E2%80%99s%20Holly%20Wetzel%20(left)%20and%20the%20Council%20of%20Rural%20Electric%20Communicators%E2%80%99%20Scott%20Gates%20at%20the%202024%20Connect%20Conference%20in%20Baltimore.%20(Photo%20By%3A%20Denny%20Gainer%2FNRECA)" description="%26nbsp" image="%2Fprograms-services%2Fcommunications%2Flaberge-award%2FPublishingImages%2F2024%20Connect%20Conference%20(1).jpg" /] [/column] [/row] [/section-item] [/section] [accordions][accordion title="2023%3A%20Kristie%20Aldridge%2C%20North%20Carolina's%20Electric%20Cooperatives"] Read NRECA's news article. | View the winning entry form (PDF). [/accordion] [accordion title="2022%3A%20Chellie%20Phillips%2C%20Coweta-Fayette%20EMC"]Read NRECA's news article. [/accordion] [accordion title="2021%3A%20Joe%20Arnold%2C%20Kentucky%20Electric%20Cooperatives"][youtube url="https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DSGNPkkF5WgE" width="700" /] Read NRECA's news article. [/accordion] [accordion title="2020%3A%20Nanci%20McMaken%2C%20Pioneer%20Electric%20Cooperative"][youtube url="https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FTjVlTLBIWL0" width="700" /] Read NRECA's news article. | View the winning entry form (PDF). [/accordion] [accordion title="2019%3A%20Keith%20Stapleton%2C%20Sam%20Houston%20Electric%20Cooperative"]Read NRECA's news article. [/accordion] [/accordions]
Contacts DescriptionThe LaBerge Award for Excellence in Strategic Communication is sponsored by the Council of Rural Electric Communicators (CREC) in conjunction with the Spotlight on Excellence Awards Program.See the Awards & Recognition page to learn about other communications awards programs
