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GCSECA Summer Meeting

Attendees at the general membership luncheon heard updates on Arizona ACRE and the America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC. Photos by Stefanie Spencer Photography

GCSECA hosted its annual Summer Meeting in July. It is a pleasure to see new and familiar faces of industry leaders and co-op members from far and wide each year.

Attendees of GCSECA’s Summer Meeting heard from a variety of speakers at the general session, including keynote speaker Thomas Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance.

They also had the opportunity to meet Doug Clark, the newly appointed executive director of the Arizona Corporation Commission, as well as a panel of statewide CEOs from Nevada, Pennsylvania and Missouri. GCSECA CEO Dave Lock moderated the panel, which included Carolyn Turner, general manager of Nevada Rural Electric Association; Steve Brame, CEO of Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association; and Caleb Jones, CEO of Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives.

GCSECA CEO Dave Lock gives an update to board members and attendees at the GCSECA board meeting held during the Summer Meeting.

The Arizona Power Authority partnered for the second year with GCSECA to host an informational and discussion session. It featured Jack Murray with Western Area Power Administration and Len Schilling with the Bureau of Reclamation. They shared updates and the outlook of energy resources and production for Arizona and the Western United States. Attendees also heard from America’s Electric Cooperatives Political Action Committee Director Gabe Snow and from co-op business partners, including National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange, CoBank and Pioneer Utility Resources. The presidents of the various co-op boards also gathered to hear an interesting presentation from Glenn Farley of the Common Sense Institute about Arizona’s energy future.

GCSECA hosted its board meeting at the Summer Meeting as well. During the meeting, Mohave Electric Cooperative CEO Tyler Carlson was elected as the next Arizona NRECA director, replacing Curtis Nolan who is retiring from the national board after many years of service. The board and attendees were also updated on GCSECA’s yearly audit from Bolinger, Segars, Gilbert and Moss, which reported no outstanding findings. GCSECA staff updated the board on current issues facing Arizona’s electric co-ops and fellow energy allies.

GCSECA Summer Meeting attendees who registered for the Miles Oldfather Golf Classic enjoy their time playing in the annual tournament in Flagstaff. Each year, GCSECA honors the memory of longtime co-op ally and employee Miles Oldfather, commemorating the cooperative spirit among players.

In addition to the outstanding speakers, the event featured the 23rd Annual Miles Old father Golf Classic and the Tuesday night reception hosted by Federated. During the reception, silent and live auctions kept attendees engaged. The event strengthened relationships among members and associations alike.

GCSECA gives special thanks to the sponsors and partners who helped make the Summer Meeting possible. The co-op would also like to extend a sincere thank-you to its members, who always keep Arizona’s co-op communities at the forefront of every decision while participating in timely meetings focused on current issues facing the energy industry.

The Summer Meeting is an enlightening time filled with information and networking among industry leaders. GCSECA looks forward to seeing everyone again next summer.