WREA directors receive national board credentials

MEEKER — Two board members from White River Electric Association in Meeker recently earned board certifications from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Assoc-iation.
White River Electric Board member Anthony Mazzola was honored at NRECA’s Region VII meeting in Omaha, Neb., for his commitment to education and attainment of the credentialed cooperative director certificate.
Recognized for earning the next level, the board leadership certificate, was board president Gary Dunham. The awards were announced before an audience of more than 500 electric cooperative officials from Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas and Wyoming.
Today’s electric utility environment imposes new demands on electric cooperative directors, particularly increased knowledge of changes in the electric utility business, new governance skills and a working knowledge of the cooperative principles.
Electric co-ops in Colorado have a commitment to work through the Colorado Rural Electric Association and its national organization to sharpen this body of knowledge for the benefit of their electro cooperative member-owners.
The NRECA credential program requires attendance and demonstrated understanding of the area covered in five core courses: director duties and liabilities, understanding the electric business, board roles and relationships, business planning and understanding financial planning.
Following the completion of the initial courses, an additional 10 credits must be earned to receive the board leadership certificate. By completing these courses, these directors have shown their commitment to understanding the electric industry and representing their follow members on the White River Electric Board.