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Commentary Think about electrical safety E


Chris Meyers General Manager, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives


ach May elec- tric cooperatives across the coun- try emphasize


electric safety. Although electric safety is a year- round concern, spring and early summer are ideal sea- sons to emphasize it. In the spring, it is common


to have power line damage caused by strong lo- calized storms. It is also the time of year when we get back outside and start working in our yards and on our farms with ladders, pruners, shovels, and equipment. It’s a good time to stop, look around, and be aware of electrical lines that cross your property to serve you. Like many things around us every day, they become a part of the landscape, and therefore we forget they are there. Every year avoidable electrical contact acci- dents occur because proper precautions are not taken when working around electrical power lines. Accidents most often occur when we get in a hurry, let our guard down, and don’t give elec- tric power lines the respect they deserve. In the event of a downed power line, always


assume it is energized and report it to your local cooperative immediately. It may look harmless, but it could be deadly. Most electrical contact accidents involving the public occur when large construction equip- ment, farm equipment, pole saws, and ladders are extended to heights that can reach power lines. Other accidents occur from digging into underground lines without fi rst calling for lo- cates. Following safe work practices will prevent unnecessary and painful accidents. Because your member-owned electric infra- structure is placed in and about your properties, it is important that we remind everyone of the potential hazards. May is Electrical Safety Awareness month, but your local cooperative works throughout the year to create awareness by teaching electrical safety through school pro- grams, as the ones featured on Page 12 of this edition. Additionally, I encourage you to visit www.safeelectricity.org for more safety informa- tion and public safety messages. If you have any questions about working safely around power lines, please take the time to con- tact your local cooperative—it is better to be safe than sorry.


Continuing a legacy of service A


Kendall Beck President, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives


s I commence my term as board president of the Oklaho-


ma Association of Electric Cooperatives


(OAEC),


I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to co-op mem-


ber-owners throughout the state. I have been serving in the electric cooperative industry for nearly 30 years; I fi rmly believe in the value of the cooperative business model and the prin- ciples put forth by cooperatives to serve their membership.


I was raised in Spiro, Okla., and graduated from Spiro High School. My parents were edu- cators and early on instilled in me the values of hard work and dedication. While in high school, I was active in Future Farmers of America (FFA) where I participated in its electric team, among other activities. I learned to be an avid outdoors- man from my dad, and once thought about be- coming a game warden. However, learning about the many job opportunities in the electric utility industry sparked my interest, ultimately chang- ing my career choice. I attended Carl Albert State College in Poteau, Okla., and Oklahoma State


4


University where I earned a degree in Electrical Power Technology. My fi rst job out of college was at Sumner-


Cowley Electric Cooperative in Wellington, Ks., where I began as systems engineer in 1986. I was privileged to become director of operations in 1990 and eventually general manager in 1995. I accepted the general manager position at Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, based in Stigler, Okla., in 1997. Through the years, I have been fortunate to see co-ops evolve to better serve their members. Technology has revolutionized our quality of service. When I started, we worked with paper. Today, we are enjoying the benefi ts of smart me- ter technology, digital mapping tools, and GPS cutting-edge features, bringing effi ciency to our mission of providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity. OAEC is charged with a special role in legisla-


tive leadership. This association represents the interests of electric cooperative members at the state and federal level. It is our mission to power the needs of new generations by empowering you and your communities with a thriving qual- ity of life. I look forward to serving you in the year ahead.


Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives Chris Meyers, General Manager Kendall Beck, President


Gary McCune, Vice-President Scott Copeland, Secretary Larry Hicks, Treasurer


Staff


Sid Sperry, Director of PR & Communications sksperry@oaec.coop


Anna Politano, Editor editor@ok-living.coop


Daniel Yates, Advertising Manager dyates@ok-living.coop


Kirbi Mills, Offi ce Manager kmills@oaec.coop


Hillary Barrow, Accountant/Offi ce Manager Asst. hbarrow@oaec.coop


Hayley Leatherwood, Multimedia Specialist hleatherwood@ok-living.coop


Alexis Mellons, Advertising Intern adintern@ok-living.coop


Taryn Sanderson, Editorial Intern intern@oaec.coop


Editorial, Advertising and General Offi ces P.O. Box 54309, Oklahoma City, OK 73154 Phone (405) 478-1455


Oklahoma Living online: www.ok-living.coop Subscriptions


$3.12 per year for rural electric cooperative members.


$6.00 per year for non-members. Cooperative Members: Report change of


address to your local rural electric cooperative. Non-Cooperative Members: Send address


changes to Oklahoma Living, P.O. Box 54309, Oklahoma City, OK 73154-1309.


Oklahoma Living (ISSN 1064-8968),


USPS 407-040, is published monthly for consumer-members of Oklahoma’s rural electric cooperatives by the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, 2325 E. I-44 Service Road, P.O. Box 54309, Oklahoma City, OK 73154-1309.


Circulation this issue: 321,343


Periodical postage paid at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Association of Electric


Cooperatives is a statewide service organization for the following electric cooperatives: Alfalfa, Arkansas Valley, Caddo, Canadian Valley,


Central Rural, Choctaw, Cimarron, Cookson Hills, Cotton, East Central Oklahoma, Harmon, Indian, KAMO Power, Kay, Kiamichi, Kiwash, Lake Region, Northeast Oklahoma, Northfork,


Northwestern, Oklahoma, Ozarks, People’s, Red River Valley, Rural, Southeastern, Southwest


Rural, Tri-County, Verdigris Valley, and Western Farmers Electric Cooperative.


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