APRIL 2014 22 ARKANSAS VALLEY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

arkansas valley electric cooperative edition

From the Manager’s DeskBILL PETERS, CEO

The life of a lineman They wake before the sun, pour steaming cups of

coffee, and kiss their families goodbye. After swinging by the office to get the day’s orders, electric co-op linemen climb into their trucks and head out. Our lineworkers form a solid team with one job—to deliver safe, reliable electricity. But that job can change in a million ways when rough weather steps in.

We often take power—and the men and women who provide it—for granted. Let’s take a moment and stand in their boots. Linemen have to work safely, smart, and efficiently—all while 40 feet in the air wearing sturdy, thick rubber gloves. On a typical day, lineworkers maintain electrical distribution lines or build service to new homes and businesses in Arkansas and across the nation. They have a lot on their plates. But when our dispatch center calls crews with a problem, everything else takes a backseat.

Power restoration takes precedence on a lineworker’s to-do list. These brave linemen are always on call. We have crews standing by to serve you 24 hours a day, in the middle of the night or wee hours of the morning, weekends and holidays.

Can you imagine getting a call at 3 a.m. telling you to work outside during bad weather? Not many people are willing to face storms. Our lineworkers face harsh elements regularly, all to serve you.

Lineworkers also focus on safety; the lives of

co-workers are on the line. Job safety is important to everyone, no matter your occupation. But for lineworkers, there can be no slip-ups or careless actions. Mistakes can cost a limb or life. That’s one of the reasons lineman form a such a strong, family-like bond. When you put your life in the hands of co-workers every day, they become more than colleagues. They’re family.

That sense of family extends to electric co-ops across the nation. One of our principles is cooperation among cooperatives. We help other co-ops in their time of need, and they extend that service to us, too. It’s reassuring to know if a severe storm strikes, a national team of lineworkers stand ready to answer the call.

To be ready to respond no matter the situation or weather conditions, linemen are highly trained. At Arkansas Valley Electric, lineworkers go through regular training to ensure they can work safely with various kinds of equipment. The equipment gets tested regularly, too.

These highly skilled employees light our homes and businesses every day. They endure harsh weather and long hours, all to make our lives better. Today (and every day), please take a moment to thank them. Arkansas Valley Electric lineworkers are the heart of the Co-op Nation, proud and strong.

2323ARKANSAS VALLEY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

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NEW EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTThis month we are continuing our introduction of new

employees to the Arkansas Valley Electric family. Our new employment spotlight for April is Amber Canada.

Amber was hired by AVECC as an information technology (IT) analyst in 2013. She was born in Aurora, Colo., but has lived in Magazine since the age of 3. She is a graduate of JD Leftwich High School in Magazine, and she earned her bachelor’s degree in information technology from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith in 2012.

Amber and her husband, Robert, have been married for 17 years, and they are the proud parents of a daughter, Kayla, and a son, Austin. She enjoys spending time with family and is gratified by assisting her children fulfill their dreams.

Amber’s hobbies and interests include: Going to her children’s sporting events, spending summertime at the lake and photography. She enjoys watching sports, and is a big fan of the Denver Broncos and NASCAR racing.

Welcome to the Arkansas Valley Electric family, Amber Canada!

Notice of Annual MeetingArkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Corporation will have its Annual Meeting of Members at the Cooperative

Headquarters in Ozark, Arkansas, on June 20, 2014. Each year a number of directors are selected to serve staggered three-year terms. Officers are also selected from

among the Board to serve as President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer for the coming year. The voting for AVECC Board of Directors is accomplished through a mail ballot. Each member will receive one

voting ballot in the mail, complete with a postage paid return envelope. Simply follow the instructions and vote for the candidates of your choice listed on the ballot and return to Arkansas Valley Electric before noon on June 20, 2014 to have your vote counted and your name included for a drawing of door prizes.

Members to receive capital credit notices

Capital Credits are one of the benefits of membership with an electric

cooperative such as Arkansas Valley Electric. Capital Credit Allocation

Notices” (a yearly statement of your investment earned in AVECC), have

always been mailed separately to you on a card. Please make note that

beginning this year it will be printed on the bill you receive in April. This change will

benefit our members by eliminating the additional postage costs.

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