January 2017 Simmons begins service as SWRE CEO Continued from Page One
SWRE is most notable by its service to two states. Being in two states brings its own set of challenges, but
it’s one of the features that most attracted me to SWRE. For 35 years I have worked with cooperatives in sev- eral states across the South, as both a consultant and employee. I’m looking forward to working with the state- wide associations in both Oklahoma and Texas, and with Western Farmers, SWRE’s power provider.
An Introduction
As members of SWRE, I know that you probably have questions about me, so I’d like to introduce myself. Let me tell you about myself and my family.
I am 54 years old, married with three children. My wife Kim and I have been married for 30 years. Kim has worked for 18 years in the public school sys-
City of Forest Park, Georgia, and his wife Tori is a dental assistant. They are parents of our only grandchild. Our granddaughter Shay Marie was born last July. Our daughter Jamie, our middle child, is an account manager at Randstad Corporate Services in Atlanta. Her husband Chris is an auditor for SunTrust Bank. Sean, our youngest son, is a service advisor at Bella- my-Strickland Chevrolet in McDonough, Georgia. Kim and I have been active members of Legacy Baptist Church in Dallas, Georgia.
Both Kim and I were born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We both have a great love and passion for the out-
spending time with our family in the outdoors. We also enjoy touring on our motorcycle and participat- ing in community and charity rides. This is something that we have shared with both of our sons, who also ride. I believe in community involvement. I have served on
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its, foundation and Chamber boards. I have been very active in the Paulding County Chamber of Commerce and the Paulding Education Board Foundation. I am a Rotarian and am a Paul Harris Fellow.
Co-op Career My introduction to the cooperative world began in high -
ed as a draftsman in the Utility Division, working exclu- sively with electric cooperatives.
It was through this exposure that I began to understand that cooperatives are wonderful, unique organizations. I learned about the sense of community in cooperatives,
Kim and Ken Simmons
and I learned about the cooperative principals that guide that I wanted as a career.
I have spent more than 35 years working almost ex- clusively in and with electric cooperatives. My career has been a steady progression of increasing responsibilities and leadership roles.
More than 20 years of my experience has been at the senior administrative and management level, both as a consultant to cooperatives and as a co-op employee. For many years I served as president/CEO of Utility
Since 2011 I have held the position of Manager of Sys- tem Design for Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative in Carrollton, Georgia. That’s the professional road that brings me to South- west Rural Electric.
Kim and I are in the process of establishing our new home in Oklahoma and completing the move from Geor- gia.
I look forward to exploring the communities in this area and meeting co-op members. I’m excited about being a part of the SWRE organization.
Kenneth E. Simmons
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