Ashe 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; Pager: 1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener

West Jefferson, North Carolina, (May 7, 2008) - An Ashe County resident was among four employees of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation and Blue Ridge Energies recognized recently 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 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.

Dale Mullis, a sales and delivery representative for the Ashe County office of Blue Ridge Energies, received the Touchstone Overall Excellence 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.

Two Touchstone Overall Excellence Awards are awarded annually: one from Blue Ridge Electric and one from Blue Ridge Energies who demonstrate exceptional customer service and operational expertise. The recipients are selected for meeting stringent criteria including responsiveness to member/customer needs, finding new and innovative ways of meeting consumer and co-worker needs, and helping build employee, member and customer relationships.

Co-workers described Mullis as one of the most committed employees and one with the expertise to have filled various roles within in the company. Fellow employees said Mullis is never afraid of a challenge. They described him as the "go to" person who always gets the job done and can be counted on for his innovation.

Co-workers also admire his honesty. If Mullis says he'll do something, co-workers can count on it happening. They noted this is an especially critical trait in delivering propane and oil to the customers of Blue Ridge Energies. Even when ice or snowy weather makes driving a delivery truck a very hazardous job, Mullis keeps going-even to the most remote locations. His commitment has helped keep many families warm and safe, even as he puts his own comfort aside. Fellow employees recognize Mullis for helping make sure customers can count on Blue Ridge Energies to be reliable and caring.

Co-workers also said they're inspired by the positive attitude Mullis displays as always works with a smile on his face, with a positive, "can do" attitude-no matter the situation.

The other three winners of Blue Ridge's top awards were: Kenny Teague, vehicle mechanic in Watauga District, Blue Ridge Spirit Award; Kevin Norris, warehouse specialist in Watauga District, Touchstone Overall Excellence Award for Blue Ridge Electric; and Mike High, director of engineering services based in the Lenoir corporate office, Commitment to Community Award.

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.