Blue Ridge Electric Board of Directors Announce New Officers

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 (July 26, 2002) – The Board of Directors of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation has announced newly elected officers of the Board.

The officers were elected at the Board’s regularly scheduled June meeting.

John Woodruff, of Alleghany District, was re-elected as president. He has served on the Board since 1968. Woodruff held the position of vice president until being elected to the top post in January upon the passing of Johnnie Austin, who had served as the cooperative’s president for 21 of the 31 years he served as a director.

Kenneth Greene, of Ashe District, was re-elected as vice president. Greene, who formerly served as secretary-treasurer until his election as vice president in January, has been a Board member since 1988.

G.C. Norris, of Watauga District, was re-elected Secretary-Treasurer. On the board since 1981, Norris formerly served as assistant secretary-treasurer until he was elected to his current post earlier this year.

Jeff Joines, of Caldwell District and a board member since 1998, was re-elected as assistant secretary-treasurer. He was first elected to the position in January.

For more information on Blue Ridge Electric, see www.BlueRidgeEMC.com.