Blue Ridge Bestows Elite Honors on Four Employees

For Immediate Release

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

Lenoir, North Carolina (October 24, 2003) – It was a night “for the stars” at Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation and Blue Ridge Energies, LLC, recently as four employees were honored with the company’s top awards recognizing excellence.

Four very special individuals went down in Blue Ridge history as they received crystal awards Saturday evening during the company’s employee service awards celebration held at Broyhill Inn and Conference Center in Boone. Crystal awards for Blue Ridge spirit, community service, and overall operational excellence were presented to employees of Blue Ridge Electric and Blue Ridge Energies, LLC.

“This is the highest honor a Blue Ridge employee can receive—the winners are nominated and selected by their peers, their co-workers,” said Doug Johnson, chief executive officer of Blue Ridge Electric. “The Blue Ridge crystal awards are part of our effort to recognize the valuable contributions our employees make every day to the operation of our companies and to serving the member-owners and customers of Blue Ridge Electric and Blue Ridge Energies,” said Johnson.

Winner of the Touchstone Commitment to Community Award:

The winner of the 2003 Touchstone Commitment to Community Award is Sandra Hicks, district manager of Caldwell District and call center manager, who lives in Lenoir. The Touchstone Commitment to Community Award is given annually to the employee who best demonstrates the Touchstone Energy and Blue Ridge values for outstanding leadership in local communities. Criteria for this award winner includes that they tangibly demonstrate a “servant’s heart and attitude” and have a reputation for honesty, integrity, and ability to build morale and team spirit among co-workers as well as within their community.

Hicks, who has a 28-year history with Blue Ridge Electric, has a lengthy record in working in her community of Caldwell County. She’s held leadership roles in Relay for Life, United Way, and March of Dimes and has chaired fundraising campaigns for each of these organizations. She’s also been involved in the Optimist Club, as a school volunteer, and on the Cajah’s Mountain planning board. Last year, she was appointed to the Caldwell County Education Foundation and this year has been named as co-chair of Kaleidoscope, a Caldwell County Education Foundation fundraiser showcasing local student talent. In recent years, Hicks has served as PTO president for West Caldwell High School and secretary for the Caldwell County PTO/PTA board for several years. As part of her school involvement, Hicks coordinated several highly successful “Project Graduations” for the county’s three high schools, an annual event which helps seniors have fun while keeping them safe and sober on graduation night.

In honor of her recognition from Blue Ridge, Hicks received a hand formed lead crystal award on an engraved brushed metal base and a cash award.

Winner of the Blue Ridge Spirit Award: Amanda Huffman of Granite Falls is the recipient of the Blue Ridge Spirit Award.

The Spirit Award is given to the employee who best demonstrates the heart and soul of the Blue Ridge companies and the mission of service they were founded upon. Exemplifying that “service to people is the greatest work in life” is a key attribute of this award winner.

Huffman was described by co-workers as truly making a difference and impact in the Blue Ridge organization in just the few years since she joined the company. Serving as employee services specialist, Huffman’s peers say she is always willing to go the “extra mile” to help someone, adding that her high level of care, team spirit, and personal touch service truly exemplify the Blue Ridge spirit. Co-workers also recognize Huffman for her high standards, job knowledge and expertise in the human resources field. Additionally, she was noted for her high level of enthusiasm and professionalism.

Huffman, who is a certified human resources professional, serves both Blue Ridge Electric and Blue Ridge Energies employees in her role, and is noted for giving “100 percent of her attention and enthusiasm to both”.

Since joining Blue Ridge, Huffman went back to college to earn her master’s degree in business administration (MBA), which she completed while pregnant with her second child.

In honor of her recognition, Huffman received a hand formed Steuben “Star Stream” crystal award on an engraved black marble base. She also received a cash award.

Touchstone Overall Excellence Awards

Two Touchstone Overall Excellence Awards are designed to give special recognition to two employees—one from Blue Ridge Electric and one from Blue Ridge Energies—who demonstrate exceptional customer service and operational expertise. The recipients of this award are selected for meeting strict criteria including responding to customer needs, finding new and innovative ways of meeting customer and co-worker needs, and helping build member and customer relationships.

The winner of the Blue Ridge Electric Touchstone Overall Excellence Award is Bill Terry, director of engineering and reliability, of Lenoir. Terry has a long history with Blue Ridge Electric, and the work of his department touches all of the Blue Ridge system and each of the 66,000 consumers served by Blue Ridge Electric. Terry is highly respected for his expertise and skill, and for his knowledge of the cooperative’s transmission and distribution system. In his job, Terry must also keep up-to-date on technology and how it can benefit Blue Ridge Electric in providing highly reliable electricity.

Terry is also recognized for his attention to the members; giving fast, efficient response to the needs and requests from members. He is described by his staff as a motivator and one who encourages his team to excel in the present while focusing on the future for the benefit of the cooperative and its members. He is also described as an organized, detail-oriented, extremely dedicated worker who never expects praise or recognition for his achievements but quietly goes about performing his job in a most professional and highly skilled manner. Co-workers say Terry’s leadership inspires others to a high level of service and commitment to Blue Ridge and its members.

In recognition of his award, Terry was presented with an engraved “Celestial” crystal award as well as a cash gift.

The winner of the Blue Ridge Energies Touchstone Overall Excellence Award is Ashe County resident Geri Styers, accounting associate for the Ashe operations of Blue Ridge Energies. Styers, who has in-depth experience for both Blue Ridge Electric and Blue Ridge Energies, was described by co-workers as one who keeps the customer’s interests in mind at all times.

Styers is highly respected for her skill and expertise, and co-workers say the office runs smoothly because of her “take charge, get it done” attitude. Styers was described by her peers as “so critical to the operation, that the office would go down hill if she weren’t here” and “the glue that holds the office together”. One of the most treasured qualities co-workers admire about Styers is her flexibility and willingness to make a difference and positive impact in her workplace, in her community and in other people’s lives.

Styers also received an engraved “Celestial” crystal award and a cash gift.

Blue Ridge Electric is a not-for-profit electric cooperative serving over 64,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes and Alexander counties. Its subsidiary, Blue Ridge Energies, provides propane, heating fuels, wholesale gasoline, and hearth products from offices in Lenoir, Boone, West Jefferson, and Hickory.