Arkansas Native Mel Coleman Tabbed to Head National Rural Electric Cooperatives
by February 23, 2015 3:27 pm 392 views
Mel Coleman, CEO of North Arkansas Electric Cooperative of Salem, was recently elected president of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) board of directors during the organization’s recent annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.
Coleman will serve a two-year term as board president beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 25, following the conclusion of NRECA’s annual meeting.
“I am humbled and honored to hold this office and represent the interests of electric cooperative members across the nation,” Coleman said. “The cooperative movement is alive and stronger than ever thanks to the thousands of dedicated employees and millions of loyal members across the United States.”
NRECA is the largest trade association based in Washington, D.C., serving the nation’s more than 900 electric cooperatives. During his term, Coleman said he plans to address strategic areas that are impacting the locally owned electric cooperatives, while providing additional strength in expanding international electrification efforts.
“Our international efforts are comparable to the beginning of America’s electric cooperatives about 75 years ago,” Coleman said. “The cooperatives provided electricity to those that otherwise would not be served. The result is a higher quality of life for present and future generations. We are very fortunate in our nation. The international electrification efforts serve to better lives of those in need in 26 countries around the globe and share our success.”
Coleman has served in numerous national, state and local leadership roles during his career. North Arkansas Electric Cooperative, serves more than 30,000 members in Baxter, Fulton, Izard, Lawrence, Marion, Sharp and Stone counties.
Based in Salem, the cooperative also has district offices in Ash Flat and Mountain Home. It is part of the 17-member Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas The Little Rock-based cooperative that provides electricity to nearly 500,000 homes, farms and businesses in Arkansas and surrounding states.