Blue Ridge Electric Pays Tribute to Johnnie Austin
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
Boone, North Carolina (October 10, 2002) – Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation paid a special tribute to the cooperative’s former president, Johnnie Austin, today as officials unveiled a commemorative monument and portrait during a special ceremony held at Watauga district office. Austin passed away unexpectedly in January. Until that time, he had served as the president of the board of directors the past 21 years and had been a board member representing Watauga District for 31 years.
The commemorative monument is located in front of the Watauga district office building, and the portrait of Austin will be displayed inside the office.
Addressing guests during the ceremony were current Blue Ridge Electric President John Woodruff, Chief Executive Officer Doug Johnson, Blue Ridge Electric Member Advisory Committee Chairman Brent Graybeal, and the Austin family. Watauga district director Joy Coffey provided closing comments and the invocation.
Austin also supported the cooperative movement on the statewide and national levels, having served in leadership roles for cooperative organizations such as Cooperative Finance Corporation, Federated Insurance, North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation, and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
A co-owner of Austin-Barnes Funeral Home, Austin was active in many areas of the Watauga community.
Also on hand for the event were Austin’s wife Carolyn, daughter Nancy, and sons, Doug and Michael.
“Blue Ridge Electric honors Johnnie’s contributions to the cooperative and the community, and we celebrate his life by striving to continue his tradition of improving the lives of those around us,” said Johnson.
