Blue Ridge Electric Announces New Director
J.B. Lawrence to Fulfill Remainder of Johnnie Austin’s Term
For Immediate Release
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Corporate Communications, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383 ext. 3213; Pager:1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
Lenoir, North Carolina (June 3, 2002) — James Burl (J.B.) Lawrence, Jr., of Blowing Rock, has been appointed to the board of directors of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation.
Lawrence will fulfill the unexpired term of Watauga District director Johnnie Austin, who passed away suddenly in January. Lawrence was recommended by an ad hoc committee of the board and approved by board members at their regular May meeting in accordance with the bylaws of the cooperative. The term expires at the 2004 Annual Membership Meeting.
Lawrence, who graduated from Watauga High School and attended Appalachian State University, is mayor of Blowing Rock and is branch manager of First Citizens Bank in Boone. He was first elected to the Town Council in 1989, and was named Blowing Rock Citizen of the Year in 1998. A retired fireman, Lawrence has been a volunteer with Blowing Rock Rescue Squad for 24 years. He is a member of the Blowing Rock Rotary Club, Watauga County Economic Development Commission, Watauga County Community Foundation, and Region D Council of Governments. He is on the executive committee of the board of directors of Blowing Rock Hospital and is a board member of Blowing Rock Stage Company.
Lawrence and his wife, Lynn, reside in Blowing Rock. They are members of First Baptist Church of Blowing Rock.
“We are extremely pleased to announce that J.B. as our new director representing Watauga District,” said John Woodruff, who was elected to succeed Austin as president of the board in January. “His skills and expertise, as well as his genuine concern for the people and our area, will be an asset to the board. We believe he will provide strong leadership in helping continue to guide our cooperative on a successful path for the benefit of all of our members,” Woodruff added.
Lawrence will be introduced to the membership during the 2002 Annual Membership Meeting being held June 8 at Watauga High School.
Blue Ridge Electric is a member-owned cooperative established in 1935 to provide at-cost electric service to its members. The cooperative provides electric service to over 64,000 consumers in Ashe, Alleghany, Caldwell, Watauga, Wilkes and Alexander counties. A 12-member board of directors guides the management and operations of the cooperative. Directors, who serve staggered three year terms, must be members of the cooperative and are elected by their peers at the Annual Membership Meeting, which is held the second Saturday in June each year.
