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Years of Service Recognition Events Held at all CIPCO Facilities
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| Above photos show honored Fair Station employees (from top) Fred Dietz, Barry Garvin and Dan Van Acker with CEO Murdock. |
Annual recognition events were recently sponsored by CIPCO for its employees. All employees were honored
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| Honored Creston employees include (from left front) Perry Strauss, Pam Carson; (back row) Jason Wilkey, Dale Ver Helst |
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| Honored Cedar Rapids employees. (Missing from photo is Terry Sullivan). |
30 Years
Joe Feld, Cedar Rapids; Fred Dietz, Barry Garvin and William Web, Fair Station
25 Years
Pam Carson and Dale Ver Helst, Creston
20 Years
Greg Gerdes, Cedar Rapids; Dan Van Acker, Fair Station
15 Years
Michelle Dirks, Cedar Rapids
10 Years
Rex Butler and Terry Sullivan, Cedar Rapids; Perry Strauss, Creston
5 Years
Chad Herrick, Sam Stineman and Michael Wiese, Cedar Rapids; Jason Wilkey, Creston
Iowa’s Touchstone Energy® Co-ops Host Energy Efficiency Display At The Iowa State Fair
Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO), along with other Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives of Iowa, sponsored the 4-H Exhibit Building at the Iowa State Fair on August 11 – 21, 2011. This year’s State Fair theme is “Nothing Compares to the Iowa State Fair” and we believe “Nothing Compares to the Satisfaction of Co-op Ownership.”
Electric cooperatives are a place where innovation occurs, accountability is in action, integrity is displayed, and there is commitment to the communities served through education and partnerships. By being A Touchstone Energy Cooperative, CIPCO, embraces a set of principles that includes “Commitment to Community.”
Collectively, Iowa’s Electric Cooperatives’ employees educated fairgoers each day about the importance of energy efficiency and the little steps they can take that will add up to a big savings. This year’s display featured a modular panel format demonstrating insulation types and effectiveness; infiltration reduction; external wall construction; lighting options; correct window installation and flashing; water heating; heat pumps, old appliance recycling, interactive games and messages and the Energy Bike. Follow this link to view a video by Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative (NIPCO) capturing some of the many highlights of this year's Iowa State Fair.
For more information on how to start saving now, go to www.TogetherWeSave.com.
CIPCO Staff Members Prepare for the Future
Director of Corporate Communications, Kathe Breheny and Public Affairs Strategist, Dusky Terry graduate from the Management Internship Program
Kathe Breheny and Dusky Terry have completed an intensive program in electric utility management with the University of Wisconsin - Madison. The Robert I. Kabat Management Internship Program (MIP) is a series of workshops offered by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin. The program guides participants through all facets of the electric utility industry, including the many changes occurring around the nation. This is one of the most exclusive educational programs in the nation for electric cooperative management.
MIP participants go through three 10-day sessions designed to challenge and educate participants in new, innovative management techniques. Participants leave with a better understanding of what consumers want and how to ensure they get it.
By also covering the unique principles that govern the operations of electric cooperatives, the program helps the co-op analyze other business ventures it may want to enter as well as enhancing the core organization.
Only rural electric cooperative CEOs and top level management participate in this program. This allows greater emphasis of study, on management challenges and the aspects of consumer-ownership that cooperatives enjoy. Participants learn to be more consumer focused in their daily management decisions.
CIPCO Business Development Manager Completes ABI Leadership Iowa Program
Cheri Popp, CIPCO Business Development Manager, was recently recognized as a graduate of the 2010-2011 class of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation's Leadership Iowa program.
Leadership Iowa, a program of the ABI Foundation for 29 years, is a statewide, issues-awareness program. The program is designed to instill passion in current and emerging leaders while fostering a high level of civic engagement.
The 2010-11 class attended an integrated series of monthly two-day sessions from October through June at various locations throughout Iowa. They learned from experts about health care, education, government, economic development and entrepreneurship, agriculture and biotechnology, community visioning and more.
CIPCO Recognized at Spotlight on Excellence 2011 Awards Program
CIPCO recently received recognition in the 2011 “Spotlight on Excellence” national awards program, sponsored by the Council of Rural Electric Communicators and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. CIPCO was recognized with an “Award of Excellence” in two program categories. The first was in the category for “Best Special Publication” for our corporate brochure entitled “Powering Iowa’s Economy” and the second award category was for “Best Annual Report to Members” for our 2009 Annual Report entitled “Unwavering Focus. Quiet Strength.”
A special luncheon honored the award recipients during the Connect 2011 Conference held in Denver, Colorado on May 11. Winning entries were displayed during the event.
Now in its 23rd year, the annual Spotlight awards competition recognizes the top-rated communication and marketing efforts by electric cooperatives and related organizations. Participants in the awards competition compete with electric cooperatives of similar sizes in 19 categories, submitting almost 800 entries in the Spotlight on Excellence program.
Faculty members from the University of Missouri – Columbia, University of South Carolina and the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill judged the entries. “The judges noted that electric cooperatives are being challenged to communicate to the people they serve in more ways than ever before,” said Maggie Tilley, administrator of Spotlight on Excellence. “Printed newsletters, news releases, websites, social media, videos, and information in bills are all more important than ever to keep members updated.”
The Council of Rural Electric Communicators was organized in 1982, and seeks to advance the recognition, education, and professionalism of electric cooperative communicators and their affiliated organizations. It is a volunteer association working on behalf of more than 4,000 electric cooperative communicators across the United States.
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the service organization representing the national interests of cooperative electric utilities, coordinates the Council’s activities. Other national organizations supporting the work of the Council are the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, the National Cooperative Services Corporation, the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative, and Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange.
CIPCO Committee Meets with Federal Officials
A group of CIPCO directors and staff participated in the annual NRECA Legislative Conference on May 1 – 4, which provided the opportunity to meet with federal officials in Washington DC and engage them in dialogue about policy issues important to our members. Participants come from nearly every state to meet in our nation’s capital to represent the interests of our rural electric cooperative membership.
The delegation representing Iowa cooperatives totaled 33 members this year, including Bob Collins, Ralph Lents, Marcel Fett, and Sam Nichols from the CIPCO Board. Others representing CIPCO and/or member systems included Kirk Trede (Eastern), John Smith (Pella), Jenna Boot (Pella), Steve Marlow (East-Central), Steve Carroll (Linn County), Dennis Murdock (CIPCO), Kathe Breheny (CIPCO), and Dusky Terry (CIPCO). Each attendee participated in meetings with Iowa’s members of Congress and spoke to issues important to Iowa’s cooperatives:
1. Rural Utilities Service (RUS). Participants urged Congress to support a $6.5 billion loan level (current funding level) for the RUS Electric Loan Program and oppose the reductions and restrictions on RUS lending recommended by President Obama. This program provides essential funding to build and maintain electric generation and transmission systems.
2. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Iowa officials were urged to support funding for FEMA to make sure that funds remain available for response and mitigation of natural disasters and asked members to work with FEMA to modify the agency’s policy regarding approval of partial work on projects. The goal is to get funding that has already been approved actually dispersed so work projects are not delayed further.
3. Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBS). Participants urged members of Congress to support the extension of CREBS or a similar program to provide renewable energy incentives for not-for-profit cooperatives that are comparable to incentives received by other electric utilities.
4. Coal Combustion Residuals (Coal Ash). Members of Congress were encouraged to resist EPA’s efforts to classify coal ash as a hazardous material, which would prevent its recycling into everyday products such as bricks, asphalt, shingles, and bowling balls.
5. Captive Rail. The lack of competition among freight railroads continues to be an issue that drives up rates and compromises reliable service. Officials were asked to support the Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act.
The Iowa group held very productive meetings with Sens. Grassley and Harkin and Reps. Loebsack, Latham, and Boswell. The group met with staff from Reps. Braley and King’s offices due to scheduling conflicts with both Congressmen. The goal of this trip was to make our voices heard to the policymakers that have a direct impact on the electric utility business. To that end, it was a successful trip for the 33 Iowans who participated and advocated on behalf of Iowa’s electric cooperatives.
CIPCO’s 64th Annual Meeting of Members
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| CIPCO Board President, Allan Duffe, addresses membership at CIPCO's 64th Annual Meeting. |
The afternoon meeting on March 21st began with an industry update which included discussion on pertinent topics relative to our industry. Alan Spen of the PFM Group (Public Financial Management) discussed rating distribution for an electric utility system, major rating factors, cooperative financial ratios, and the key industry drivers that affect a financial rating. Bruce Lacy of Lacy Consulting Group LLC presented a nuclear energy update. A timely topic on several minds in the midst of the recent events that occurred at one of Japan’s nuclear power plants as a result of a major earthquake and tsunami that hit this country earlier in the month. CIPCO staff also addressed the issues facing the industry now and in the future relative to power supply and industry forecasts. All cooperative member directors were invited to participate in this session.
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| Energy Efficiency Award Recipients from left: Russ Steven (CIPCO), Gary Schropp (Linn County REC), Jason Gibbs (Clarke Electric), Stan Eysink (Pella), Larry Swanson (Maquoketa Valley), Norm Fandel (Midland Power), John Allen (SW Iowa REC), and Patrick Murphy (CIPCO). |
An evening reception was hosted by CIPCO at the State Historical Building for directors and staff as well as some special guests. A number of state legislators, executive branch officials, and business partners attended this event. CIPCO honored the progress of member cooperatives in achieving energy efficiency excellence during an awards presentation. Member cooperative recipients of these 2010 Energy Efficiency Program Awards were Pella Cooperative Electric Association, Linn County REC, Southwest Iowa REC, Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative, Midland Power, and Clarke Electric Cooperative. Iowa Area Development Group (IADG) also used this opportunity to recognize some member cooperatives for significant economic development accomplishments. Recipients of these IADG Impact Awards included Bellevue Municipal Utilities, Consumers Energy, Eastern Iowa Light & Power Cooperative, Farmers Electric Cooperative, Greenfield Municipal Utilities, and Central Iowa Power Cooperative.
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| Pictured from left: Rand Fisher (IADG), Allan Duffe (CIPCO Board President), Dennis Murdock (EVP & CEO), and Cheri Popp (Business Development Manager). |
The following morning, the official meeting kicked off with the re-election of all CIPCO directors to the board and reports about the current status of the cooperative. Treasurer Dale Walkup reported on CIPCO’s strong financial standing; and Allan Duffe, president of the board, outlined a series of strategic initiatives undertaken by the board to prepare the organization and to take advantage of future opportunities. Executive Vice President & CEO Dennis Murdock then reported and outlined his vision and continued efforts for a strategic alignment of CIPCO and distribution cooperatives’ objectives through a series of meetings in their local boardrooms. The board affirmed its support of the executive committee by re-electing Allan Duffe as president, Bob Collins as vice president, Sam Nichols as Secretary and Dale Walkup as Treasurer.
The Annual Meeting concluded with a series of excellent outside speakers. First, Debi Durham, Director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development, outlined the state’s plan for continued growth and development in Iowa as well as the goals set by the governor to continue to grow Iowa’s economy. Tim Coonan with the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives provided an overview of the events occurring at the state legislative sessions and urged all to attend the upcoming REC Day on the Hill. The keynote speaker for the meeting was Richard (Ric) Jurgens, Chairman of the Board & CEO of Hy-Vee, Inc. He discussed the efforts and investments that his company makes to continue advancement and growth within the communities served by Hy-Vee and the countless dedicated employees that make this organization the success it is.
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