By Casey Hollins
Communications Specialist for Rappahannock Electric Cooperative
Author and leadership coach Terry Wildemann once said, “Success isn’t just about what you accomplish in your life, it’s about what you inspire others to do.” Even though she wasn’t referring directly to Certified Cooperative Communicators, she easily could have been.
For more than 30 years, cooperative communicators have been striving for excellence in communication and leading the industry by inspiring others to do the same. Year-after-year, existing CCCs are motivating communicators around the country to aspire to earn their CCCs. Today, more than 200 communicators have earned this distinguished designation.
Last year, the CCC Program Board started an initiative to recognize CCCs who have maintained their certification and continued to be industry leaders throughout their careers. Each year at the CONNECT conference, CCCs who are celebrating their 10th, 20th or 30th year of maintaining their certification will receive a special gift.
Congratulations to this year’s CCCs who are celebrating significant milestones. Please stop by the CCC booth at the CONNECT Conference to pick up your gift!
30 years:
Rita Alexander, Vice President of Human Resources & Communications at Gibson Electric Membership Corporation in Tennessee
20 years:
Pamela Blair, Assistant Editor at Ruralite Services, Inc. in Oregon
Curtis Condon, Editor-in-Chief at Ruralite Services, Inc. in Oregon
Michael Teegarden, Assistant Editor at Ruralite Services, Inc. in Oregon
Laura Hengstenberg, Manager of External & Internal Relations at Crawford Electric Cooperative, In in Missouri
Charles McAlpin, Manager of Communication & Member Services at Eastern Main Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Maine
Karen Combs, Manage of Member Services at Jackson Energy Cooperative in Kentucky
10 years:
Van O’Cain, Director of Member & Public Relations at Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, Inc. in South Carolina
Amy Tahhan, Director of Communications at Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association, Inc. in Colorado
Susan Simmons, Communications Manager at Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation in North Carolina
Tami Zaun, Communications & Public Relations Coordinator at Lake Country Power in Minnesota
Candace Croft, Communications & Public Relations Coordinator at West Florida Electric Co-op Association in Florida
Stacey Fields, Director of Public Relations at Amicalola Electric Membership Corporation in Georgia
Not pictured:
20 years - Jane Pritchard, Director of Corporate Communications at Norther Carolina Electric Membership Corporation in North Carolina
10 years – K.D. Bryant Graham, the former Senior Public Relations & Communications Specialist at Jackson Electric Membership Corporation in Georgia
10 years – Anne Edwards, Marketing Representative at Pee Dee Electric Membership Corporation in North Carolina
