Blue Ridge Energies Employee Brantley Taylor Receives Top Honor

Boone, North Carolina, (April 12, 2010) – Brantley Taylor of Boone recently received top honors from Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation during the company's annual employee service awards dinner held at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center.

Taylor is a sales and delivery representative for Blue Ridge Energies, a subsidiary of Blue Ridge Electric which provides residential and commercial propane, heating fuels, hearth products, and gas appliances. He was awarded the Spirit of Blue Ridge Award which is bestowed annually to one employee from each of the Blue Ridge companies. Recipients are nominated and selected for the honor by their peers. The award recognizes outstanding employees who demonstrate the key quality that service to others is the highest calling in life. The award also recognizes qualities such as motivational team spirit, going above and beyond the call of duty in their work, knowledge and expertise, community involvement, and leadership in their attitude and dealings with others.

In presenting his award, Chief Executive Officer Doug Johnson said Taylor exhibits the highest level of integrity and is known for his expertise. “Co-workers who nominated Taylor said he is conscientious, genuinely concerned for others, and has a cheerful, positive attitude that inspires those around him. His dedication to go the extra mile to assist customers was especially noted during this past winter when all employees worked long hours and Brantley was available to assist the person on call at any time of the day or night.

“His record speaks for itself as a diligent employee,” Johnson added. “He was recognized for leading Blue Ridge Energies in total number of propane gallons delivered in 2009.”

Taylor has served on Blue Ridge Energies’ safety committee and is involved in his community with his children’s activities, as a volunteer fireman at Deep Gap Fire Department, and as a deacon in his church.

Blue Ridge Energies provides propane and heating fuels as well as gas appliances such as gas logs from offices in Lenoir, Boone, West Jefferson and Sparta. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Blue Ridge Electric, an electric cooperative serving some 73,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Avery, Alleghany, Wilkes and Alexander counties.