Blue Ridge Electric Employee Receives Top Honor
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Public Relations, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383, Ext. 3213; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
West Jefferson, North Carolina, (April 20, 2009) – Ruby Calhoun of Ashe County was honored with a top award recently from Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation during the company's annual employee service awards dinner held at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center in Boone.
Calhoun received the Blue Ridge Spirit Award for demonstrating outstanding character traits such as having a “heart of service”, integrity, and other qualities that Blue Ridge Electric was founded upon. Calhoun is a senior member services representative in the Ashe district office.
She was nominated and selected by her co-workers for the award. Each year, employees of Blue Ridge Electric and its heating fuels subsidiary, Blue Ridge Energies, nominate and select outstanding employees to receive the company's top awards recognizing qualities such as inspiring customer service, motivational team spirit, and commitment to community.
"Our special awards are the highest honor a Blue Ridge employee can receive because the winners are nominated and selected by their peers," said Chief Executive Officer Doug Johnson.
Co-workers describe Calhoun as “having happiness that bubbles out of her” and always having a smile on her face, extending a helping hand, and a positive comment. They say they have never once heard Calhoun make a negative remark or say a cross word, and they can always count on being treated like family by Calhoun. Fellow employees say she loves helping others. No matter what the problem, they say Calhoun treats everyone with respect and care. They comment that Calhoun is especially known for her quick smile.
Co-workers say that Calhoun has a strong work ethic and is always trying to facilitate serving the members and customers of Blue Ridge. She is noted for her “get it done now” attitude and is always eager to offer a helping hand with her well known follow up comment “Don’t we work good together!” Fellow employees say she is inspirational and uplifting to work around.
In presenting the award, Johnson added: “Just as our companies seek to have a positive impact on the area we serve, the recipients of the Spirit Award are leaving their legacy at Blue Ridge. The winner of the Blue Ridge Spirit Award sets the example for co-workers as they go about their work and life with an attitude that service to others is our highest calling.”
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, is a propane and heating fuels provider with offices in Lenoir, Boone, West Jefferson, and Sparta. Its showrooms located in Blue Ridge Electric’s district offices feature gas logs, gas fireplaces, water heaters, and more.
