Phil Carson, Tri-County Electric Cooperative director, begins his two-year term as president of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Carson took the reins from North Arkansas Electric Cooperative CEO Mel Coleman, who closes out his term as president today. Coleman passed the gavel to Carson during the closing general session of NRECA‘s annual meeting.
“It’s been an honor to get to know both Phil and Mel over the last several months,” said NRECA CEO Jim Matheson. “Steady leadership is essential for electric cooperatives to be able to address a number of the challenges facing rural America in the 21st century. Phil is an extremely effective leader, and I’m looking forward to his term as president.”
“Mel carried out his role as NRECA president with energy, enthusiasm and distinction,” said Matheson. “I’m grateful for his warm welcome into the electric co-op family, and I appreciate his unending service to NRECA and its members.”
“It’s a tremendous honor to have the opportunity to serve as NRECA president,” Carson said. “We’re fortunate to have a wealth of knowledge and experience around the NRECA board table. That team is what sets us apart, and I will continue looking to my fellow directors for their input over the next two years. The electric cooperative future is full of opportunity. I’m excited to see where that future takes us as we continue advocating for the consumers we serve and working to empower our local communities.”
Rounding out the NRECA board officers are Curtis Wynn, CEO of Roanoke Electric Cooperative, who was elected as vice-president and Chris Christensen, a director of NorVal Electric Cooperative, who was elected to serve as secretary-treasurer.
Carson was elected NRECA president by the association’s board of directors. He is the immediate past vice president and served as secretary-treasurer prior to that. He has been an NRECA board director since 2006. Carson has served as director of Tri-County Electric since 1999 and sits on a number of boards, including the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives, where he has served since 2002.
