Caldwell Superintendent Receives Special Honor

For Immediate Release

Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Public Relations, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383 ext. 3213; Pager: 1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener

Lenoir, North Carolina (April 12, 2006) – Retiring Caldwell County Superintendent Dr. Tom McNeel recently received an honor from education supporter Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation that will help continue his legacy and commemorate his contributions to education.

In a surprise presentation during a Caldwell County Schools Board of Education meeting, Blue Ridge Electric Chief Executive Officer Doug Johnson presented McNeel with a plaque and announced that the cooperative will award an annual $2,000 toward teacher scholarships in McNeel’s honor. The funds may be divided among several teachers as needed.

McNeel has achieved much progress in Caldwell County School since he arrived in February 1994. He previously served as superintendent of the New Hanover County Schools in Wilmington, and was the 21st State Superintendent of Schools in his native state of West Virginia.

In 2002, Dr. McNeel received the prestigious Jay Robinson Award sponsored by the Public School Forum and was named the Regional Superintendent of the Year for the Northwest Regional Education Service Alliance. He also sits on the Appalachian State University Public School Partnership board and served as chairman in 1997-98. Dr. McNeel is one of two local school superintendents who serve on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Public School Forum, which is comprised of State Legislative leaders, officials from large corporations, the State Superintendent, President of the University System, executive officers of state educational organizations, and representative educators.

McNeel also has volunteered with the Salvation Army and the Boy Scouts of America, and he mentors disadvantaged children in Caldwell County. He is an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church as well as a member Lenoir Rotary Club where he has served as president, board of directors and is a Paul Harris Fellow.

Blue Ridge Electric has a long history of educational support for teachers, students and local schools, including:

The Bright Ideas program, which has provided over $60,000 directly into Caldwell County classrooms to help teachers fund innovative learning projects.
College scholarships worth more than $50,000 for Caldwell County students seeking university and community college degrees.
Teacher scholarships worth more than $25,000 for advanced or continuing education.

Blue Ridge Electric is a member-owned electric cooperative serving some 69,000 consumers in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes and Alexander counties. It is affiliated with Touchstone Energy, a national network of 630 local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives providing energy and energy solutions to nearly 22 million consumers. Touchstone Energy cooperatives serve their members with integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to the communities they serve.