Blue Ridge Electric Presents Highest Retiree Award
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 20, 2009) - Beverly Finney of Lenoir recently received the Honored Cooperator Award from Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, the cooperative's highest honor given to a retired employee.
A team of current and retired employees selected Finney for the award due to her significant contributions to Blue Ridge Electric, its members and employees during her 25-year career. She retired in 2007 as vice president of member relations. She received the award during the cooperative's annual employee service awards dinner held at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center in Boone.
In presenting her with a crystal award commemorating the honor, Chief Executive Officer Doug Johnson said, "Beverly was one of the most ardent supporters of the cooperative business model and embodied the Blue Ridge spirit in a way that made others want to be a part of it.
"She was responsible for building one of the most respected customer service and member relations program in the nation, and we continue building on that strong foundation today as one of the highest rated cooperatives in customer service in the United States."
Johnson added that Finney was also responsible for starting the Blue Ridge Leadership Institute, a series of basic and advanced training courses to help the cooperative, its subsidiary and their employees prepare to continue strengthening and developing a pool of talent and skills needed to operate in the energy industry.
"Her love of helping others to learn and grow is one reason Beverly was so valuable to Blue Ridge and to those who had the benefit of working with her," Johnson said.
Blue Ridge Electric's Honored Cooperator Award distinguishes select retired employees who have contributed in an outstanding way to the development and operation of the cooperative. Recipients exemplify traits including commitment to community, innovation, accountability in delivering customer service, and integrity in all aspects of their lives. A committee of current and former employees selects the Honored Cooperator out of a pool of nominations also submitted by current and former employees.
Blue Ridge Electric Membership Cooperation is a member owned electric cooperative serving some 73,000 member-owners in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe and Alleghany counties as well as portions of Alexander and Wilkes 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.
