Caldwell County Resident Among Four Receiving Top Honors From Blue Ridge Electric
For Immediate Release
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Public Relations, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383, Ext. 3213; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
Lenoir, North Carolina, (April 28, 2008) - A Caldwell County resident was among four employees of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation and Blue Ridge Energies recognized Saturday night with the company's top awards during the company's annual employee service awards dinner held at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center in Boone.
Each year, employees of Blue Ridge Electric and its heating fuels subsidiary, Blue Ridge Energies, nominate and select four outstanding co-workers to receive the company's top awards recognizing qualities such as inspiring customer service, motivational team spirit, operational excellence, and generosity to the community.
Mike High, director of engineering services and a resident of the Patterson community in Caldwell County, received the Commitment to Community award.
"Our four special awards are the highest honor a Blue Ridge employee can receive because the winners are nominated and selected by their co-workers," said Chief Executive Officer Doug Johnson, referring to the special awards given for spirit, community service, and overall operational excellence.
The Commitment to Community award given to High is awarded annually to the employee who best demonstrates Touchstone Energy and Blue Ridge values for contributions and outstanding leadership in local communities. Award winners demonstrate a "servant's heart and attitude" and have a reputation for honesty, integrity, and for building morale and team spirit within their community.
In nominating High, his co-workers noted that he quietly goes about his community involvement and never seeks the spotlight as he unselfishly gives out of a deep care for his fellow man. High was recognized for giving back to his community by being an extremely dedicated foster parent, along with his wife, Stephanie. Together, they have provided a foster home for children since 1992, adopting four children from Florida and one child from North Carolina.
Co-workers pointed out that local communities will reap the benefit from the contributions of the Highs by having young people who are in troubled situations grow up to be responsible adults They note that the Highs have donated much of their lives to helping shape the lives of little ones who were in need and in the foster care program by no choice of their own.
Co-workers noted that many of the children who come to this couple are troubled, abused, or from very dysfunctional families. They say the Highs have provided much patience and a lot of love to ensure the children are educated and that their health, spiritual, and family needs are provided. Fellow employees note that as foster parents, the Highs have given sacrificially to children who age anywhere from one day old to up to six years old.
High also serves on the board of directors for the Patterson Volunteer Fire Department. Additionally, he has been a Sunday School teacher and heavily involved in youth sports in his community.
The other three winners of Blue Ridge's top awards Saturday night were: Kenny Teague, vehicle mechanic in Watauga District, Blue Ridge Spirit Award; Dale Mullis, sales and delivery for Blue Ridge Energies Ashe County office, the Touchstone Overall Excellence Award for Blue Ridge Energies; and Kevin Norris, warehouse specialist in Watauga District, the Touchstone Overall Excellence Award for Blue Ridge Electric.
Blue Ridge Electric is a not-for-profit electric cooperative serving some 73,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes and Alexander counties. Its subsidiary, Blue Ridge Energies, provides propane and heating fuels from hearth products showrooms in the district offices of Blue Ridge Electric in Lenoir, Boone, West Jefferson, and Sparta, as well as from its Conover office.
