Issuu

Empowered is a monthly newsletter for members of

BRANHAM RECEIVES RISING STAR HONOR through the ranks, first becoming an energy services and business development representative and finally her current director job, where she oversees a staff of nine.

Cortney Branham, story from cooperative.com

Central Rural Electric Cooperative’s Director of Energy Services, Cortney Branham, was recently honored as a Co-op Rising Star in Rural Electric Magazine for her work in making better-informed decisions with the use of dashboards, data and analytics. Since coming to Central in 2013 as a facilities laborer, Branham has risen

“In that role, Branham has led the coop in our transition to the utilization of dashboards, data and analytics, which has helped us improve processes and make better-informed decisions,” writes Central’s CEO Hunter Robinson. For Branham, using data to justify business decisions is a “cool process.” “Data adds so much value to the co-op, for us to be able to have a gut feeling about something and then go look at the data and be able to verify,

‘Yes, that’s what the data’s telling us.’” Branham taught herself Tableau, an interactive data visualization soft ware, and is skilled enough to teach others. That fluency has been invaluable in diagnosing potential staking and line designs. Soft ware proficiency also has resulted in quicker installations of new orders and more balanced workloads for staking technicians and other crews. “I’m here to provide a service or improve the quality of life for coworkers and members and empower them to do whatever they want to do… build a house or start a business. I just love to be able to help.”

CONCERN PRESTON TO RETIRE FROM BOARD COMMUN Central district two trustee Stu Preston announced his retirement from the board of trustees at the end of his term in October. Preston has served the cooperative and its members as a trustee for nine years.

Stu Preston

Preston, who joined the board in 2012, represents members in parts of Lincoln,

Logan, Oklahoma and Payne counties.

Preston achieved the Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership and Director Gold certifications from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Preston is currently serving as vice president of the Central board.

“Mr. Preston has been a leader in helping to advance and prepare the cooperative for the future,” said Central CEO, Hunter Robinson. “He has always focused on finding ways to increase member engagement and support the cooperative model.”

Visit MyCentral.coop to learn more.

CENTRALLY LOCATED PUMPKIN PATCHES It’s time to plan your autumn adventures! Whether you’re going for the spooky carvings or just there for the photos, we have a great list of pumpkin patches in Central’s service area. Support your local farmers and bring fun to your entire family! O CTO B E R 2 021 Central Board of Trustees: Carol Dvorak, President (District 3) Stu Preston, Vice President (District 2) Bill Davis, Secretary/Treasurer (District 7) Gary McCune (District 1) Len Tontz (District 4) Mark Pittman (District 5) James Wells (District 6) Hunter Robinson - Chief Executive Officer Empowered Editors: Larry Mattox - Director of Communications Kory Frazier - Marketing and Communications Specialist Ivy Hill - Marketing and Communications Specialist

www.MyCentral.coop facebook.com/MyCentralCoop twitter.com/MyCentralCoop instagram.com/MyCentralCoop

Notice: Central’s office will be closed Monday, October 11 for an employee training

Central Rural Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Grider Farm Pumpkin Patch S Country Club Rd, Perkins, OK • 405-547-2722 Join the fun at the annual fall come & go festival for a great opportunity to pick pumpkins, take a hayride and learn the art of dutch oven cooking! Open every day until November from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. McRay Farms Pumpkin Picking 19800 E Simmons Rd, Luther, OK • 405-479-7411 Find your perfect pumpkin for pies, painting and decorating! Oh My Gourd Pumpkin Patch 9212 E Glencoe Rd, Glencoe, OK • 580-336-8509 Participate in pumpkin chunking, hayrides, corn box, pumpkin bowling, fall decorating, Friday night movies and, of course, pumpkin picking! Friday & Sunday: 1:00 - 7:30 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch 720 S Henney Rd, Arcadia, OK 405-315-7392 Enjoy hayrides, pony rides, hay maze, face painting, petting zoo and more! Thursday: 1 p.m. – Dark Friday: 1 - 10:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. - Dark

For the older ghouls Guthrie Haunts 4524 Riverside Pl, Guthrie, OK 405-243-7671 Jump into this terrifying haunted house that’s full of scary fun. Friday and Saturdays: 7-11 p.m. Going? Tag @MyCentralCOOP on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

NEVER SHOOT AT POWERLINES Dove Season is Here As dove hunting season is in full swing, you may have already bagged a bounty of birds, or you might be hitting the fields soon. Regardless of when you join in on the hunt, you’ve probably heard that doves enjoy congregating on power lines. Indeed, doves love to perch on power lines before making a move for food. This can make it tempting for hunters to try to snag a bird or two while they are on the line. Regardless of how tempting it is, you should never shoot at power lines because electrical equipment is never in season. Let’s dig into why doves flock to power lines and how gunfire toward electrical equipment can be detrimental to the surrounding area. Why do doves like to perch on power lines? If you drive down the road before the weather gets cold, you will likely see a bird or two perched on a power

line as you pass. Doves, like many birds, use power lines for a variety of reasons: • Taking breaks from flying • Gathering with other birds before migration • Protection from predators Doves are especially attracted to power lines because they like to have a good view of corn, wheat and other crops in fields below. Why you should never shoot at power lines Shooting at power lines is always a bad idea. Projectiles from gunfire can damage a power line, costing thousands of dollars in damage and leaving businesses and homes without power. Damaged power lines are inconvenient, expensive and dangerous for those in the surrounding area. Energy from broken lines can produce a hightemperature arc that can set fire to surrounding vegetation. Shooting at power lines can cause a wildfire to spread.

TWO-WAY TEXTING NOW LIVE Central members can now report power outages via text. A twoway texting system will help the cooperative more quickly assess outage predictions and provide members with more timely status information. The TextPower SmartAlerts system is integrated with Central’s current outage management system. The integration allows members to report outages by text 24/7. If an outage is predicted at your home, the system will text members asking them if their power is indeed out. This realtime response will help our outage management system pinpoint faults on the system and allow line crews to access and restore power more quickly. If you haven’t already received a text from Central’s toll-free number, you can opt in by texting JOIN to 800-375-2884. Please make sure your cell phone number is listed on your account by updating your contact information in SmartHub or by calling Central’s office at 405-3722884.

Dove season is open September 1 to October 31, then reopens December 1-29.

NEVER LOSE POWER AGAIN Central Launches Backup Generator Program

for sale Great Plains no-till drill 30 ft, cat challenger 65 C AgTrac tractor. Call 405-714-3422, Perkins Antique hanging green and white enamel warehouse lights. $75 each. 405-282-0625 4 antique caned {seat,back} authentic French chairs, beautiful! 405-282-0625

SUBMIT YOUR AD Submit your ad by email to editor@mycentral.coop by the 5th of each month! Ads will be edited and run as space allows.

OPERATION ROUND UP The Round Up Plus program allows Central members to make an additional fixed monthly donation on top of their usual Operation Round Up amount! Learn more and sign up by visiting MyCentral. Foundation, by calling a Central account representative at 405-372-2884 or at MyCentral.foundation/RoundUpPlus.

DRIVE-THRU

Oklahoma’s weather can mildly be described as unpredictable and uncontrollable. While Central crews work around the clock to restore power as quickly and safely as possible, there is still a chance for power outages. Last October, many Central members experienced prolonged outages caused by an untimely fall ice storm. We know how frustrating losing power can be, especially when an outage extends for several days. The good news is you can avoid losing power at your home with an automatic standby generator. Central is working with Generator Supercenter to offer automatic standby generator systems to members. Generator Supercenter is Oklahoma’s #1 Generac generator dealer and offers turnkey installation, 24/7 service, annual maintenance and financing.

“We’re excited about this program with Generator Supercenter,” said Hunter Robinson, CEO of Central. “They have a proven track record when it comes to installing and maintaining Generac generators.” To learn more about the program and to receive a free consultation for your home, visit MyCentral.coop/ Generators.

Make plans to attend Annual Meeting! DRIVE THRU ANNUAL MEETING OCT. 7, 2021 - 3-7 P.M.

Choose your location!

Lincoln Co. Fairgrounds • Chandler Logan Co. Fairgrounds • Guthrie Noble Co. Fairgrounds • Perry Payne Co. Fairgrounds • Stillwater

Watch your mail for the official notice!

perry 77

64 412 177

stillwater 33

guthrie

18 105

CHANDLER 44