BLUE RIDGE Two August milestones

AS I’M PREPARING this month’s its program because we recognize report, it’s been 1,785 days that the folks who work here are our since Blue Ridge Electric greatest asset. It’s therefore incumbent Cooperative employees upon us to design the safest possible www.blueridge.coop recorded their most recent environment in which these individuals lost-time accident. By the time can perform their tasks. FOR ALL YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE this magazine arrives in your Also essential to a successful safety NEEDS AMANDA MACHEN Call Toll-Free (800) 240-3400 mailbox, five full years will program is employee support. In that have passed since that last respect, our safety record speaks for AUTOMATED OUTAGE REPORTING accident occurred. August 4, 2015 was itself. Our workforce has obviously 1-888-BLUERIDGE the exact date. That represents an almost embraced all aspects of our emphasis on PICKENS unbelievable accomplishment! I have to safe job practices. Consequently, they’ve P.O. Box 277 take my hat off to the entire Blue Ridge reached a milestone that’s truly rare in 734 West Main St. workforce for their impressive focus on the world of work. Pickens, SC 29671 working safely. OCONEE 80th anniversary P.O. Box 329 Quality leadership The month also welcomes another 2328 Sandifer Blvd. This kind of safety performance doesn’t milestone that’s of special significance Highway 123 just happen. For one thing, it’s critical to our Blue Ridge organization. This Westminster, SC 29693 to have quality leadership at the helm August 14th, the co-op will be observing

MISSION STATEMENT of any job training and safety program. its 80th anniversary. On that date in Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative will The co-op certainly has that in the person 1940, a small group of men gathered operate as a competitive provider of of our manager of safety and loss control, in Clemson and took the necessary energy services and a partner with local David Black. David leads by example, and actions that brought Blue Ridge Electric communities, with a focus on safety, he sincerely cares about the well-being of Cooperative into existence. service and integrity. every single man and woman included on In the years since, Blue Ridge has

BOARD OF DIRECTORS our organizational chart. been responsible for taking the blessing Joel R. Davis, Chairman It’s also important to have in place of central-station power to more than Joel Spencer Dalton, Jr., a well-thought-out safety program. 67,000 members. Those members include Vice-Chairman The co-op has invested heavily in homes, farms, businesses, schools, Len D. Talley, Secretary churches, and many other institutions Franklin M. Looper, Jr., Treasurer Manager of Safety and Loss Control David Black leads by example. located across the primarily rural areas Ben G. Bolt of this northwestern corner of South Jimmy Lee Dodgens Carolina. Our 80-year history is definitely William G. Elrod a proud one, and as a result, we’re Kenneth G. Southerlin celebrating. It’s also true that the co-op J. Mendel Stone continues to grow, and we’re excited PRESIDENT AND CHIEF about what the future might hold for EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jim Lovinggood us. You can be assured that our plan is to keep growing in our commitment to This organization is an deliver the most reliable service possible equal-opportunity provider. to you and all our other members. MNA MACHEN AMANDA

JIM LOVINGGOOD President and CEO

4 LIVING | AUGUST 2020 | SCLIVING.COOP Is solar the right choice for you?

Stephen Strickland (right) meets with co-op member Randy Evett to discuss the efficiency of the solar panels

AMANDA MACHEN installed at his home.

SOLAR PANELS ARE popping up in are very knowledgeable and can give you expectations are realistic. many residential neighborhoods these excellent advice on installing panels, but “We are your cooperative, and if solar days. Have you ever wondered if solar others will make promises that can’t be kept. is the right fit for you, we want to oversee is an energy option that might suit Our goal is to counsel you and be there to your installation from beginning to end your lifestyle and needs? Your co-op oversee the process with you, should you and make sure you know what you’re has several employees devoted to solar make a decision that solar is for you.” getting,” Strickland adds. “After all, we technology and is ready to give you all The competition among solar aren’t going anywhere—we’ve been here the pros and cons to having these panels companies is strong. Many promise no for almost 80 years, working to bring you attached to your home. more power bills or bills that will be power for all your needs.” Stephen Strickland has been with the cut in half or more. When that doesn’t So rather than calling after solar energy services department for a number happen, our co-op members come to us panels are installed, let us be the first of years and knows a great deal about for help, but by then it’s too late. contact on your list. Truthfully, we cost verses payback, as well as some Blue Ridge is now partnering with work for you and want to be your of the things to avoid when choosing several solar installers to make sure that, trusted energy expert. Contact us at solar. Strickland explains, “Not all solar if solar is your choice, you are given (800) 240-3400 or visit the Energy companies and salesmen are alike. Some all the correct information and your Services tab at blueridge.coop.

A virtual experience of a lifetime The risks of spreading COVID-19 caused the students. State Superintendent Molly a diverse group of summer cooperative programs like the Rural Spearman described how their final years of people allowed me Electric Youth Tour in Washington D.C., and high school might be different. Dr. Linda Bell, to gain a greater the Cooperative Youth Summit in Columbia the state’s chief epidemiologist, answered understanding of to be cancelled. questions about COVID-19. how the recent Neleah Clough, Greenville Technical Jim Sonefeld, drummer for Hootie and events of 2020 are Charter High School; Karlyn Esuary, Liberty the Blowfish, discussed mental health effecting people High School; Page Holcombe, West-Oak during the pandemic and substance from across the High School; and Daniel Watson, Cyber abuse. Rev. Charles Jackson, senior pastor state, and renewed Molly Spearman Academy of South Carolina, participated in at Brookland Baptist Church in West in me a hope that State Superintendent the Virtual Youth Experience, a weeklong Columbia, spoke about the importance of we will all persevere web conference hosted by South Carolina’s developing community and positive race through these troubling times together.” electric cooperatives. relations. Karlyn Esuary also shared her thoughts From June 19-26, several of South Neleah Clough shared of her virtual on the virtual tour. “I loved being able to Carolina’s highest elected officials— experience, “I was granted the opportunity ask our speakers direct questions, which Governor Henry McMaster, U.S. Senators to listen to and speak with a lot of influential is usually a task reserved for journalists. I and , and U.S. figures, receive a crash course on the basics also was grouped with two other students Congressman Jim Clyburn—responded of storytelling and audio recording, and from South Carolina and we’re working to questions about the pandemic, race meet so many new friends from across the on a project together that has definitely relations and other topics important to state! Getting the chance to hear from such challenged us.”

SCLIVING.COOP | AUGUST 2020 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING 5