Membership MATTERS
Avoid danger
Call 811 before you dig
Homeowners can make risky assumptions about whether they should get utility lines marked, but every digging job requires a call — even small projects like planting trees, shrubs, or installing a mailbox.
The depth of utility lines varies and there may be multiple types of utility lines in any given area. Erosion and root system growth can also alter the depth or location of buried lines. Hitting a line can knock out service to your home and an entire neighborhood, cause serious injury to you and others, and can result in fines and repair costs.
For your safety, please call 811 at least three business days before any digging project on your property. If you have a contractor performing work, make sure they’ve called 811.
In fact, it’s required by law to notify local utilities of digging projects. This one call will get all participating utility underground lines marked for free to help prevent problems or injuries. Simply call 811 and answer a few questions about your location and the type of work to be done. Or go to the website at Call811.com
Pro tip: Be sure to keep the ticket number 811 gives you for future references or to track your request online.
Remember: Know what’s below before you dig — always call 811!
Perspective
There
is
a Cooperative Difference
Being part of a cooperative means you’re not just buying power — you own a share in the utility that serves you. That’s why we say “member owner,” not “customer.” You hold a real stake in the utility that powers your home and your future.
We’re not alone! Cooperatives span across different industries, but we all share a passion for serving our members and communities, with a goal to make life better. Cooperatives adhere to seven principles that reflect core values of honesty, transparency, collaboration and service. For us, these principles aren’t negotiable; they’re the standard at your cooperative, driving our mission every day.
In the beginning, cooperatives were created out of necessity, meeting a need that would have been otherwise unmet. In 1936, a group of neighbors banded together and organized our electric cooperative. For a modest membership fee, any farmer could get electricity. Neighbors worked together for the benefit of the whole community, and the newly established electric lines powered economic opportunity. Land previously lit by candles and oil lanterns now had electricity, from the foothills to the High Country – laying the foundation for growth in the communities we call home.
Today, the value of being a member of your cooperative extends well beyond the
From Blue Ridge Energy CEO Katie Woodle
energy you receive. Service is a top priority, and while some industries move away from personal connections, we keep our staff local, so we can better understand the needs of our members and community.
Year after year, your cooperative ranks in the top quartile of the national American Consumer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) utility scores for dependable, high quality service. We measure these scores rigorously because your experience matters, and we act on what we learn. We take great pride in this to ensure that our members continue to feel the cooperative difference when they do business with us.
Ownership also means voice. When you reach out, you’re heard by neighbors you can trust. From a quick outage response by a line technician who lives down the road to a friendly energy specialist who helps you find ways to save, our promise remains practical, local and personal.
When you hear the word “cooperative,” I hope you feel pride. You own this company. And as your CEO, I’m committed to the same clear priorities that got us here today: helping you feel the cooperative difference by providing safe, reliable, affordable power with exceptional local service, making the lives of our members better.
Director Proxy Committee to be Appointed
As part of the director election governance process, giving members an option to vote for cooperative directors by mail or Internet, a Director Proxy Committee will be appointed by the Board of Directors at their regular March board meeting.
This committee will be made up of three directors elected by secret ballot and whose terms are not expiring and who are not running for re-election this year to the Board of Directors.
As stated in the cooperative’s Bylaws, the Proxy Committee serves multiple roles for the membership. First, the committee will cast votes for all members designating their preferences selected on their submitted electronic or paper proxy forms. Secondly, the committee will serve as a proxy for any member wishing to assign their vote for director elections to the committee. Lastly, the committee will cast votes for members who return their proxy but do not make a choice on the voting options.
Director election kits will be mailed or sent by email to members who have requested to receive this information electronically, on May 27, 2026. The notice of Annual Meeting, along with information about board candidates, will be part of the director election kit.
Members have convenient options to vote by Internet or mail and therefore, are not required to attend the Annual Meeting in
order to vote for directors. However, members who have not voted by the deadline date of June 17, 2026, at 5 p.m., or who voted by Internet or mail, but wish to change their vote, must attend the Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 4 p.m. in order to do so.
Members wishing to be considered for nomination to serve on the Board of Directors have two options: the Nominating Committee or Nomination by Petition. Interested members must first submit a director application packet, which is available by contacting Crystal Spencer, chief administrative officer, Blue Ridge Energy, at cspencer@blueridgeenergy. com or by calling 1-800-451-5474, ext. 3259. Please leave a voicemail if she is not available and your call will be returned promptly.
The completed packet is due by 5 p.m., Monday, March 2, when using the Nominating Committee process or by 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 1, when using the Nomination by Petition process.
For a complete list of qualifications and requirements to serve as a director of the cooperative, please refer to the cooperative’s Bylaws available at BlueRidgeEnergy.com under Company>Board Governance>Corporate Documents or by contacting any Blue Ridge Energy office.
Eggers Retiring from Blue Ridge Board of Directors
David Eggers, of Caldwell County, is retiring from the Board of Directors of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation after 24 years of dedicated service.
First elected to the Board in 2002, Egger’s retirement will be effective at the conclusion of his three-year term, which ends at the annual membership meeting on Thursday, June 25, 2026.
“David’s service to our cooperative reflects a deep commitment to the members and communities we serve,” said Chief Executive Officer Katie Woodle. “Throughout his tenure — including his time serving as vice president and assistant secretary-treasurer — he consistently represented the best interests of his fellow members. We are grateful for the time, leadership, and thoughtful guidance he has given to Blue Ridge Energy, which has helped shape who we are today in making life better for our members.”
During his tenure, Eggers has served in officer roles as vice president and assistant secretary-treasurer. He also provided leadership and guidance on many different Board committees over the years, including Policy and Member Relations, Caldwell Facilities, and Finance and Rates. He earned his Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership Certification and his Director Gold Certificate through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), which requires training and competencies in areas including understanding multi-faceted operations in the electric utility industry, strategic planning, finance, governance and director duties and liabilities.
Over the years, Eggers also provided a valuable role serving as president, vice president, and secretary-treasurer on the board of directors for TEMA (Tarheel Electric Membership Corporation), a non-profit organization formed by the North Carolina electric cooperatives to combine efforts to competitively purchase materials, supplies and equipment needed to operate the electric cooperative utilities across the state. Eggers also served on the NCEMC (North Carolina Electric Membership Cooperative) Board.
Eggers has been heavily involved in his local community, including serving as a volunteer for Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, past board president and member of Caldwell County Education Foundation and board member of Caldwell Habitat for Humanity. He is a retired public school principal, teacher, and former instructor at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. Eggers received his Bachelor’s, Master’s and EDS degrees from Appalachian State University.
Members wishing to be considered as a candidate for the cooperative’s Board of Directors have two options: the Nominating Committee process or Nomination by Petition process. Please see page 17 for details about these two options and how to obtain a list of qualifications and requirements to serve as a director of the cooperative.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Katie Woodle
EDITOR
Renée R. Walker
PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
Jacob Puckett
OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday Kiosks available