Co-Op Heroes: Stories from Electric Utility Operators
Real stories of co-op electric utility operators overcoming challenges and serving their communities. Co-hosted by James Tanneberger (CEO of SCI-REMC) and Pablo Fuentes (CEO of Bloom Spatial).
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018: More Than Trees: How One Forester Saved a Life While Managing Vegetation (with David Formella)
01/20/2026
018: More Than Trees: How One Forester Saved a Life While Managing Vegetation (with David Formella)
In this episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, we sit down with David Formella, utility forester at Southside Electric Cooperative in Virginia, to explore what happens when trees, power lines, and people intersect in unexpected ways. David brings a unique background to utility forestry: a degree in natural resource conservation from Virginia Tech, military service as a Marine, and experience as an EMT. When he arrived at Southside Electric, he discovered that being a utility forester means wearing countless hats, from vegetation management and storm restoration to emergency response and member education. The stories David shares reveal the human side of keeping the lights on. One day, he went to address a member's complaint about tree removal and ended up calling 911 when the member had a medical emergency. During a helicopter aerial trimming operation, a horse broke loose and went running down the road. Beyond the dramatic moments lie the daily challenges of balancing member concerns about beloved trees with the critical need to maintain safe, reliable power delivery. What emerges is a portrait of cooperative work that goes far beyond job descriptions. It's about being present in your community, caring about members as people, and being ready to help however needed, whether that's preventing outages, bird-dogging for mutual aid crews during storms, or simply being there when someone needs help. Featured topics: The unexpected emergencies utility foresters encounter in the field How cooperatives respond during major storms and restoration efforts Bird-dogging: supporting mutual aid crews during major outages Aerial trimming operations with helicopters and their unique challenges Balancing member relationships with vegetation management requirements Why the cooperative model demands caring about people above all else David's experience shows that working at an electric cooperative isn't just about technical expertise. It's about embodying the cooperative principle that caring about people comes first, even when that means stepping outside your role to help a member in crisis. The same mindset that drives vegetation management to keep communities safe extends to every interaction, creating the foundation of trust that makes the cooperative model work. When you work for a utility where neighbors are members, you can't just be a forester managing trees. You have to be ready for anything, from medical emergencies to livestock on the loose. David's stories remind us that the cooperative difference isn't found in policies or procedures, but in the willingness to show up, care deeply, and do whatever it takes to serve the community. The Co-Op Heroes podcast brings you real stories from electric utility operators: the people who work around the clock to keep our communities powered and served.
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017: The Unlikely AI Pioneer: How Dairyland Power Cooperative Made Artificial Intelligence into a Cooperative Advantage (with Nate Melby)
01/06/2026
017: The Unlikely AI Pioneer: How Dairyland Power Cooperative Made Artificial Intelligence into a Cooperative Advantage (with Nate Melby)
In this episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, we sit down with Nate Melby, VP and Chief Information Officer at Dairyland Power Cooperative, to explore how an electric cooperative became an unlikely pioneer in artificial intelligence, and how that innovation is now spreading across the cooperative movement. When Nate arrived at Dairyland Power, a Generation and Transmission cooperative, he brought an unexpected background: a PhD in Information Systems and experience with deep learning research in academic laboratories. In 2018, while most industries were still experimenting with AI, Dairyland began building machine learning models to optimize load management and system efficiency. The journey evolved into something bigger. What started as internal experimentation became VoltWrite, Dairyland's proprietary AI solution. But the real innovation was to not keep the technology to themselves. Following the core cooperative principle of collaboration, Dairyland began sharing VoltWrite with other cooperatives. Today, it's a nationwide service helping electric co-ops across the country work smarter, faster, and more efficiently. Nate shares the real challenges of bringing AI to an industry skeptical of new technology. The technical barriers proved manageable. The human factor (overcoming doubt, building trust with early adopters, helping skeptics become believers) required patience, board-level support, and demonstrable results. Featured topics: The early days of machine learning adoption at Dairyland Why cooperatives were positioned to innovate before the mainstream Real-world use cases: semantic summarization, anomaly detection, document analysis The big dollar decision: replacing a software project with AI agents built in-house Overcoming the human factor in technology adoption How board support and demonstrable wins build organizational buy-in The cooperative principle of collaboration that turned VoltWrite into a national service "Pulling on the thread" problem-solving and agentic AI Building agents for compliance automation and complex workflows Nate explains how cooperatives, constrained by limited resources, are uniquely positioned to benefit from AI. When you work for a utility where every efficiency gain directly serves members, the incentive to innovate becomes clear. And when cooperatives collaborate rather than compete, those innovations ripple across the entire network. This is a story about leadership, courage in the face of uncertainty, and how the cooperative principle of working together for greater good extends into the age of artificial intelligence. The Co-Op Heroes podcast brings you real stories from electric utility operators, the people who work around the clock to keep our communities powered and served.
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016: Members as Energy Producers: Flathead Electric Cooperative's Net Metering Success Story (with Doug Gilmore)
12/23/2025
016: Members as Energy Producers: Flathead Electric Cooperative's Net Metering Success Story (with Doug Gilmore)
In this episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, we sit down with Doug Gilmore, Power Resources Manager at Flathead Electric Cooperative in Kalispell, Montana, to explore how one cooperative turned a complex challenge into an innovative opportunity. Flathead Electric serves one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. Kalispell was recently voted the fastest-growing micropolitan city in the United States. In just five years, the cooperative added 8,300 meters while facing another challenge: members were asking to install their own solar systems and feed power back to the grid. The easy answer would have been "no." Instead, Doug and his team asked three questions: What do our members want? How can we enable that? What guardrails do we need? The result was a thoughtfully-designed net metering policy that balances member autonomy with system reliability. Rather than simply reacting, Flathead Electric created six key policy components that serve the cooperative's needs while giving members what they want. Flathead is proving that innovation and safety can coexist, and they now manage nearly 300 (and growing) net metering applications annually. Featured topics: How to say "yes" to complexity instead of defaulting to "no" Net metering policy design: six components that work Managing the "duck curve" and the challenges of solar generation Time-of-use rate design and how to align incentives with system needs Cost-of-service analysis to ensure no rate class subsidizes another Economic development through smart rate structures The power of the cooperative network: sharing ideas across regions and states Working in a cooperative where membership ownership changes everything The challenge of rapid growth and how planning prevents problems Doug shares how the cooperative principles of member ownership, democratic governance, and the willingness to collaborate create space for thoughtful innovation. When you work for a utility where neighbors are members, decisions take on deeper meaning. When you're part of a network of co-ops across the country willing to share best practices, everyone gets smarter. This is a story about embracing complexity, serving members well, and how cooperatives thrive by thinking outside the box while staying true to their core values. The Co-Op Heroes podcast brings you real stories from electric utility operators: the people who work around the clock to keep our communities powered and served.
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015: The Nuclear Opportunity: How Wolverine Power Cooperative Seized an Unprecedented Moment (with Zach Anderson)
12/09/2025
015: The Nuclear Opportunity: How Wolverine Power Cooperative Seized an Unprecedented Moment (with Zach Anderson)
In this episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, we sit down with Zach Anderson, Chief Operating Officer of Wolverine Power Cooperative, to discuss one of the most significant achievements in cooperative energy history: the restart of the Palisades Nuclear Generating Station. When Palisades entered decommissioning status, it seemed like a closed chapter. But Wolverine Power Cooperative and their partner Hoosier Energy saw something different: an unprecedented opportunity to secure carbon-free baseload power that could serve their members for decades. What followed was a bold move that had never been successfully executed in the United States: bringing a nuclear plant that was going to be decommissioned back online. The cooperative difference shines through this story. Unlike investor-owned utilities that must seek board approval and navigate complex profit motives, Wolverine's member-owned structure allowed leadership to move quickly and decisively. When Holtec, the plant's owner, needed three things: NRC approval, DOE loan support, and a committed power partner, Wolverine stepped up. That partnership became the catalyst for the entire project, ultimately securing long-term contracts for 100% of Palisades' output. Featured topics: The history of G&T cooperatives and their role in providing reliable power supply How cooperatives can move faster and more decisively than traditional utilities The unprecedented challenge of restarting a decommissioned nuclear plant Creating a balanced energy portfolio: wind, solar, natural gas peakers, and baseload nuclear Local economic impact: $10 million annually in tax revenue and 600 six-figure jobs Rate stability and price competitiveness for member cooperatives How decarbonization and reliability work together as partners, not competitors State-level support behind the Palisades restart Zach shares how Wolverine's decision to secure this abundant, carbon-free power source leaves the cooperative in its strongest position in nearly 80 years. The impact cascades through the entire cooperative network: members get price stability, clean energy, and reliability, while the state gains crucial decarbonization leadership. This is cooperation in action, where bold decisions by one G&T benefit the distribution co-ops and consumers it serves.
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014: Storytelling as a Bridge: How Hoosier Energy is Connecting the Next Generation to the Cooperative Difference (with Chad Mertz)
11/25/2025
014: Storytelling as a Bridge: How Hoosier Energy is Connecting the Next Generation to the Cooperative Difference (with Chad Mertz)
In this episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, hosts Pablo Fuentes and James Tanneberger sit down with Chad Mertz, Vice President of Strategic Communications at Hoosier Energy to explore the challenge facing the entire cooperative movement: communicating with the next generation. Chad dives into the creative solution that's changing how communities understand the difference co-ops make. Hoosier Energy is a Generation and Transmission cooperative, one of 45 G&T co-ops across the country that provide the backbone of power supply and transmission for member cooperatives like South Central Indiana REMC. When Chad joined Hoosier Energy four years ago, board members and member CEOs raised an urgent concern: younger people simply didn't understand what a cooperative was or why it mattered. The numbers told the story. A survey revealed a stark generational divide: 93% of adults over 65 had a positive perception of co-ops, while that number dropped dramatically with each younger demographic, creating what Chad calls "a diagonal line" of declining awareness. Recruiting young talent became difficult. Events lacked young attendees. The cooperative message wasn't reaching the generations that already aligned with co-op values, whether they knew it or not. Rather than resort to traditional advertising, Chad's team recognized something powerful: young people are naturally attracted to cooperatives because of their values: local decision-making, democratic governance, and reinvested margins instead of corporate profits. These values reflect what Gen Z and Millennials actually believe in, they just didn't know co-ops embodied those ideals. Featured topics: Why younger generations are naturally aligned with cooperative principles The challenge of communicating co-op value in an investor-owned utility world Crafting authentic stories from real member communities Using multimedia and geo-targeting technology to reach local audiences How storytelling builds long-term relationships where traditional marketing falls short The spring campaign featuring customized videos highlighting local cooperative heroes Discover how the cooperative movement thrives when people understand the real difference it makes, not through selling, but through authentic stories that reveal the human side of community service. This is how you bridge the gap between mission and market, between legacy and future. The Co-Op Heroes podcast brings you real stories from electric utility operators, the people who work around the clock to power and serve our communities.
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013: The Brotherhood Above: The Indiana Lineman Rodeo with Tommy Nance of Ninestar Connect and IEC
11/11/2025
013: The Brotherhood Above: The Indiana Lineman Rodeo with Tommy Nance of Ninestar Connect and IEC
In this episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, host Pablo Fuentes heads to the Hendricks County Fairgrounds to speak with Tommy Nance, VP of Operations at NineStar Connect, about the fourth annual Indiana Lineman Rodeo, an event born from a simple vision that has become a beacon for community for linemen across the state. Five years ago, during the height of COVID, Tommy and fellow cooperative leaders asked themselves an important question: what if Indiana's electric cooperatives created their own space where linemen could safely showcase their skills, network with peers, and let their families finally see what they do every single day? The result is a day of intense competition where linemen face timed challenges like: bucket truck rescues, transforming heavy equipment, and "hurt man rescue" drills. But beneath the competitions lies something deeper: the chance for families to witness the danger, precision, and brotherhood that defines this profession. Featured topics: The real day-in-the-life of a lineman: 8-hour shifts plus constant on-call for storms, accidents, and emergencies How linemen network, compete, and push each other to be better through friendly rivalry The evolution of the rodeom, from bouncy castles for kids to hand-crafted trophies that honor the year and the craft Lessons learned year-over-year about creating meaningful community experiences The future vision: uniting all 38 Indiana co-ops and competing nationally Tommy shares how the cooperative spirit thrives when linemen see each other beyond the apprenticeship classroom, and when families understand why their loved ones miss birthdays and work Christmas. This is a story about competitive excellence serving a bigger purpose: connecting the people who keep our communities powered. You can learn more about the Indiana Lineman Rodeo at https://www.indianaec.org/safety/indiana-electric-cooperative-lineman-rodeo/ --- The Co-Op Heroes podcast brings you real stories from electric utility operators, the people who work around the clock to keep our communities safe.
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012: 10,000 Pounds of Ice: How Great Lakes Energy Survived an Unprecedented Ice Storm (with Shaun Lamp)
10/28/2025
012: 10,000 Pounds of Ice: How Great Lakes Energy Survived an Unprecedented Ice Storm (with Shaun Lamp)
In this episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, host Pablo Fuentes sits down with Shaun Lamp, President and CEO of Great Lakes Energy, to hear firsthand accounts of how crews and community members responded to one of Michigan's most devastating natural disasters in recent memory. When a once-in-a-century ice storm struck in March 2025, Great Lakes Energy's 14,000-mile system faced unprecedented challenges. With up to three inches of ice coating their infrastructure (six times more than design specifications), lineworkers didn't just restore power, they became first responders and community heroes. They cut their way through impassable roads to reach stranded members, many facing dangerously cold homes without heat. Featured stories include: - Lineworkers who left spring break vacations to answer their community's call - Crews strategically positioning themselves in treacherous conditions to clear obstacles - The powerful "My Daddy's a Line Worker" campaign that celebrated the families supporting these essential workers - Critical safety lessons about generator installation and use that protect both homeowners and crews Shaun shares how the cooperative difference shone through during the crisis. Employees who didn't just complete assigned tasks but actively cared for the members and families they serve. He also highlights the collaboration between neighboring cooperatives and the shared commitment to learning and supporting one another across the industry. This is a story about resilience, sacrifice, and the everyday heroes who show up for their communities when everything is on the line. --- Great Lakes Energy can be found at Great Lakes Energy YouTube Channel: Weather Channel Ice Storm interview with Shaun Lamp :
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011: Box? What Box? How Co-Ops Think Outside Traditional Boundaries
10/14/2025
011: Box? What Box? How Co-Ops Think Outside Traditional Boundaries
In this forward-thinking episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, hosts Pablo Fuentes (CEO of Bloom Spatial) and James Tanneberger (CEO of South Central Indiana REMC) explore what makes electric cooperatives uniquely positioned to innovate and push boundaries that investor-owned utilities often cannot. James explains how his perception of electric cooperatives completely changed when he entered the industry eight years ago. Rather than the "sleepy organizations" he imagined, he discovered dynamic institutions driven by a single mission: improve the lives of our members. This mission, combined with cooperative structure, creates unique advantages for innovation. The cooperative innovation advantage: Self-governance through member-elected boards rather than regulatory oversight Non-profit structure allowing investment in community benefit over profit maximization Ability to move quickly on opportunities without lengthy regulatory approval processes Willingness to take calculated risks when downside is minimal but upside is transformational Real-world examples: James shares how Indiana cooperatives transformed the state's connectivity landscape. When state leaders trusted co-ops to bridge the digital divide, 25 out of 38 utilities built fiber networks. But cooperatives didn't stop there...30 organizations connected their networks to create , a regional data superhighway that moved Indiana from 32nd to top 5 nationally in connectivity. This model expanded nationally through , now supporting 12 states. Managing innovation risk: James outlines his approach to risk management: only pursue opportunities where the downside risk is minimal but the upside could be transformational. He shares the story of building a fiber connection to a regional hub that seemed like a modest efficiency gain but opened unexpected doors, including a partnership with Indiana's network that more than paid for the entire project. The next big opportunity: The episode reveals an emerging opportunity that could reshape rural economic development: distributed data centers. As mega data centers face community opposition due to massive power consumption (200-500 megawatts) and water usage, cooperatives have identified an alternative model. With substations typically running at 50% capacity and fiber already connecting their networks, co-ops can deploy smaller 10-megawatt data centers on 1-3 acres without water consumption or major infrastructure upgrades. This distributed approach offers multiple benefits: it's less disruptive to communities, utilizes existing capacity, improves co-op load profiles by adding consistent daytime consumption to balance residential peaks, and positions rural America as a competitive player in the AI economy. Key insight: James argues that for cooperatives serving heavily forested territories with reliability challenges, the greater risk is not innovating. Standing still means accepting poor reliability and high rates, while calculated innovation creates paths to better serve members. This episode challenges the perception of cooperatives as traditional utilities and reveals them as innovation leaders tackling some of rural America's biggest infrastructure challenges. The Co-Op Heroes podcast brings you real stories from electric utility operators: the people who work around the clock to keep our communities powered.
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010: The Hooded Llama Award: Tales from Vegetation Management Heroes
09/30/2025
010: The Hooded Llama Award: Tales from Vegetation Management Heroes
In this special roundtable episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, we sit down with five co-op vegetation management leaders at the Trees and Utilities Show in Knoxville, Tennessee. Each person shared a story about the heroic actions and the community impact of their vegetation management team. Featured Guests: Anthony Lindfors - Matanuska Electric Association (Alaska) Cindy Musick - Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (Virginia) Kevin Perkins - CORE Electric Cooperative (Colorado) Amanda Opp - Flathead Electric Cooperative (Montana) Jeff Wissing - Holy Cross Energy (Colorado) Stories Shared: Anthony introduces the "Hooded Llama Award," an internal recognition for crew members who go above and beyond, inspired by a Matanuska crew rescuing a llama with a feed bag stuck on its head during subzero weather. Cindy recounts how a tree crew saved an elderly woman's life after spotting her in a ditch during a routine trim job. The crew had repositioned their bucket truck multiple times that day, and only from that specific angle could they see the barefoot woman who had wandered from her home. The story demonstrates both divine timing and the quick thinking of crews working through interpreters. Kevin discusses the increasing volume of member calls about dead trees in Colorado, with requests jumping from 3-4 per week to 8 per day, and recognizes a utility forester on his team for his dedication to responding to every member concern. Amanda shares the emotional story of his veg management administrator, who arrived for a scheduled appointment to find a member unconscious in his bathroom. Despite performing life-saving measures, the member did not survive, but Kyle's presence provided crucial support to the family during a difficult moment. Jeff tells two stories: first, how his tree crew rallied around a young lineman's girlfriend after his sudden death, moving her entire household back to her family in southern Colorado; and second, about an old-school line superintendent who showed up after work to help dig footers for Jeff's father's garage. Key Themes: The episode illustrates how vegetation management crews serve as eyes and ears in their communities, often being the first responders in emergencies simply by being present in rural areas. The stories demonstrate the cooperative difference, employees who don't just complete their assigned tasks but actively care for the communities they serve. This roundtable format captures the collaborative spirit of the Trees and Utilities Show and the broader utility arborist community, where co-ops regularly share best practices and support one another across regional boundaries. For more information about the Utility Arborist Association and regional events, visit uaa.org The Co-Op Heroes podcast brings you real stories from electric utility operators, the people who work around the clock to keep our communities powered.
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009: Innovation and Public Entrepreneurship: Building Community Wealth Through Cooperatives (with Keith Taylor - UC Davis)
09/16/2025
009: Innovation and Public Entrepreneurship: Building Community Wealth Through Cooperatives (with Keith Taylor - UC Davis)
In this episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, host Pablo Fuentes sits down with Keith Taylor, Professor of Economic Development at UC Davis and self-described "People's Professor," to explore how electric cooperatives are leading innovation in rural America. Keith shares the remarkable story of Anza Electric Cooperative in Southern California, which defied industry experts who claimed rural broadband deployment was impossible at reasonable costs. While incumbent telcos insisted it would cost $300,000 per mile to lay fiber, Anza accomplished the same task for just $30,000 per mile, a 90% cost reduction that has inspired cooperatives and community choice aggregators across the country. Key Insights Discussed: How Anza Electric overcame infrastructure challenges by combining microgrid development with fiber deployment The concept of "public entrepreneurship" and why cooperatives fill gaps left by government and private enterprise Why cooperatives consistently deliver better local economic impact than investor-owned utilities The role of cooperatives as "classrooms and incubators of democracy" Emerging opportunities in distributed data centers and digital public infrastructure Academic Perspective: Drawing from his book "Governing the Wind Energy Commons" and extensive fieldwork, Keith explains how cooperatives create community wealth, overcome political divisions, and provide stability in essential services. He discusses his research comparing cooperative-owned versus investor-owned wind farms. Future Vision: The conversation explores Keith's work developing the Institute for Cooperative and Civic Innovation at UC Davis, which aims to foster international collaboration and help cooperatives compete in an increasingly concentrated economy. From platform cooperatives to employee stock ownership plans, Keith outlines how the cooperative model can address modern economic challenges. This episode offers both inspiration from successful cooperative innovation and academic analysis of why the cooperative business model remains relevant in today's economy. Essential listening for anyone interested in rural development, cooperative theory, or community-driven solutions to economic challenges. Contact Keith Taylor at or learn more about his work at UC Davis's Institute for Cooperative and Civic Innovation. Keith's book "Governing the Wind Energy Commons" can be found at Other contacts and resources from this episode: Kevin Short, General Manager, Anza Electric Cooperative - Shawn Trento, Telecommunications Manager, Anza Electric Cooperative - Jessica Nelson, General Manager of Golden State Power Cooperative - Gina Schaefer, Ace Hardware, The Co-Op Heroes podcast brings you real stories from electric utility operators: the people who work around the clock to keep our communities powered.
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008: From Tragedy to Teaching Safety: Chuck Tiemann's Inspiring Story
09/02/2025
008: From Tragedy to Teaching Safety: Chuck Tiemann's Inspiring Story
In this powerful episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, host Pablo Fuentes sits down with Chuck Tiemann, the legendary safety instructor known throughout the electric cooperative world for his uncompromising dedication to lineman safety. Speaking from the Indiana Lineman Rodeo, Chuck shares his remarkable journey from a life-changing accident to becoming one of the industry's most impactful safety advocates. On May 1, 1980, Chuck was severely burned in an electrical accident that cost him his left arm and right leg. Rather than letting this tragedy end his career in rural electrification, Chuck transformed his experience into a mission to prevent similar accidents from happening to others. After working to master prosthetics and exploring other careers, he returned to the electric utility industry in 1996 as a safety instructor with a clear goal: reduce electrical contacts to zero. Chuck's Impact by the Numbers: Visited 459 cooperatives during his career Helped reduce annual lineman burns from 200 per year (1980) to 64-68 per year in the co-op world Developed the famous "Chuckisms" - Four simple safety principles carried by linemen across the country Pioneered face-to-face safety training and honest conversations with crews Key Safety Insights: Chuck discusses the evolution of safety equipment, the psychology of complacency, and why the 8-12 year experience range represents the highest risk period for linemen. He explains critical procedures like equipotential grounding, the importance of testing for present voltage, and the life-saving practice of applying water to electrical burns within 90 seconds. The human element: Beyond technical safety procedures, Chuck emphasizes the importance of character, honest communication, and never becoming comfortable with dangerous work. His approach of speaking directly to linemen, even throwing his prosthetic hand across the room to make a point, has created lasting impact on safety culture throughout the industry. Chuck's story demonstrates how personal tragedy can be transformed into a force for protecting others. His dedication to visiting cooperatives one-on-one, building relationships with crews, and speaking truth about safety risks has saved lives and influenced an entire generation of electrical workers. Contact Chuck Tiemann at 256-874-5783 for safety training programs. The Co-Op Heroes podcast brings you real stories from electric utility operators, the people who work around the clock to keep our communities powered.
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007: Turn Around, Don't Drown: Water Safety and Survival for Utility Workers
08/19/2025
007: Turn Around, Don't Drown: Water Safety and Survival for Utility Workers
In this sobering episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, hosts Pablo Fuentes (CEO of Bloom Spatial) and James Tanneberger (CEO of South Central Indiana REMC) share a harrowing story that illustrates why water safety is a critical concern for utility workers. James recounts a near-tragic incident from his time in Texas, where two substation maintenance workers faced a life-threatening situation during the aftermath of a tornado. When one employee received a panicked call from his wife about a tornado hitting their neighborhood, the crew's urgent attempt to return home led them into a flooded low-water crossing. What seemed like a manageable situation quickly turned dangerous when their truck became a boat in rising floodwater. Key lessons covered: How quickly water conditions can change during severe weather Why vehicle size doesn't matter when water reaches the frame The critical decisions that saved two lives during a flash flood rescue The importance of calling 911 immediately rather than supervisors How moving water's power can be deadly even for strong swimmers Safety insights: The episode explores the deceptive nature of floodwater and why "turn around, don't drown" isn't just a catchy slogan, it's a life-saving principle. James shares additional stories from Texas flooding events and discusses how cooperatives are partnering with local communities to improve severe weather preparedness, including expanding tornado warning systems. Technology and prevention: The conversation touches on emerging technologies for natural disaster management, including fiber optic sensing and improved weather awareness systems that help utilities and communities prepare for severe weather events. This episode serves as both a compelling rescue story and an important safety reminder for anyone who works outdoors or lives in areas prone to flooding. The emphasis on weather awareness and community preparedness makes this essential listening for utility workers and rural residents alike.
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006: Beyond Borders: How Indiana Co-Ops Are Electrifying Rural Guatemala (with Mandy Barth - IEC)
08/05/2025
006: Beyond Borders: How Indiana Co-Ops Are Electrifying Rural Guatemala (with Mandy Barth - IEC)
In this inspiring episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, host Pablo Fuentes sits down with Mandy Barth, Vice President of Communication at Indiana Electric Cooperatives (IEC), to explore an extraordinary international mission that has been transforming lives for over a decade. What began as a one-time project in 2012 to celebrate the UN's International Year of the Cooperative has evolved into Project Indiana—a sustained effort to bring electricity to remote Guatemalan villages that have never had power. Mandy shares how Indiana became the first state to send an all-state team on an international electrification project, working alongside NRECA International to light up communities in Guatemala's mountains. Key Highlights: How 14-15 Indiana linemen have electrified more than 700 homes across multiple trips The profound impact on both Guatemalan families and Indiana utility workers Unique challenges of working in remote jungle locations with some 1,000-foot spans The cultural and logistical complexities of international utility work How they're helping villages form their own electric cooperatives Current efforts to solve power supply challenges through government advocacy Ongoing Impact: The project has brought electricity to families (including a woman in her 90s getting power for the first time), and it has also introduced the cooperative business model to Guatemala. The initiative continues to face challenges around connecting to the national power grid due to regulatory restrictions, making each project a complex balance of engineering, diplomacy, and community development. Mandy explains how this work has transformed the Indiana linemen who participate, with many saying it changed their perspective on gratitude and family priorities. The episode showcases how electric cooperatives extend their mission of community service far beyond their traditional service territories. For those interested in international development, cooperative business models, or utility infrastructure challenges, this episode demonstrates the powerful impact that skilled volunteers can have when they combine technical expertise with a mission to serve. Learn more about Project Indiana at projectindiana.org
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005: Delivering Life-Enhancing Services: Beyond the Power Lines
07/22/2025
005: Delivering Life-Enhancing Services: Beyond the Power Lines
In this episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, hosts Pablo Fuentes (CEO of Bloom Spatial) and James Tanneberger (CEO of South Central Indiana REMC) explore how electric cooperatives go beyond traditional utility services to improve their members' lives. James shares South Central Indiana REMC's mission to "improve the lives of our members" and how this philosophy has led them to provide services that investor-owned utilities typically don't offer. The conversation covers their journey from early dial-up internet services in rural Texas to their current $100+ million fiber-to-the-home project serving over 12,000 users. Services discussed: High-speed fiber internet and its impact on rural communities Early dial-up internet provision when no local options existed Security services (15-year operation before strategic exit) Propane delivery (discontinued due to risk considerations) Future considerations for water service delivery Key insights: How the cooperative business model enables innovation that profit-driven utilities might avoid The strategic decision-making process for entering and exiting non-electric services How fiber infrastructure improvements enhance both internet service and electric grid reliability The role of cooperatives in rural economic development and infrastructure James explains how the cooperative structure allows them to take calculated risks on services that improve member lives, even when the immediate financial return isn't guaranteed. The episode highlights how electric cooperatives often become innovators in rural service delivery, filling gaps that other providers won't address. Whether you're interested in cooperative business models, rural infrastructure development, or utility innovation, this episode demonstrates how mission-driven organizations can expand their impact beyond their core services.
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004: Manager on Call: The Day the Line Exploded
07/08/2025
004: Manager on Call: The Day the Line Exploded
In this episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, hosts Pablo Fuentes (CEO of Bloom Spatial) and James Tanneberger (CEO of South Central Indiana REMC) explore real-world utility emergency response through personal experience. James recounts his early days as an electrical engineer when he was assigned to the "manager on call" rotation. During a severe storm, a 69kV transmission line took a lightning strike and, instead of safely tripping as designed, the line exploded—destroying 30 spans of critical transmission infrastructure and leaving scattered aluminum fragments across the landscape. What you'll learn: How utility crews responded to an unprecedented transmission line failure The decision-making process during emergency restoration efforts Working through challenging conditions to restore critical infrastructure The importance of resource allocation during major outages How extreme weather creates unexpected operational challenges Key Lesson: James shares an important leadership principle he learned that night: "Call too many people too soon, rather than too few, too late"—a philosophy that has shaped his approach to emergency response throughout his career. This episode offers insights into the challenges and decision-making that utility operators face during emergency situations. Whether you work in the utility industry or are interested in infrastructure and emergency response, this story provides a practical look at how electric cooperatives maintain reliable service for their communities.
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003: Surviving 2023: Tornadoes, Derechos, and a Global Crisis to Boot
06/24/2025
003: Surviving 2023: Tornadoes, Derechos, and a Global Crisis to Boot
2023 was supposed to be a manageable year for SCI-REMC. Instead, it became a masterclass in crisis management when two of the worst weather events in the co-op's history struck within three months of each other. In this episode, James Tanneberger walks us through the devastating tornado outbreak in late March that left 12,000 members without power, followed by an even more destructive derecho in June that knocked out service to over half their territory – 18,000 members – in just 10 minutes. But Mother Nature wasn't finished: the global energy crisis triggered by the Russia-Ukraine war simultaneously drove wholesale power costs through the roof, forcing rate increases after a decade of stable pricing. James shares the tactical details of managing 36 restoration crews simultaneously, the critical role of "bird dogs" and damage assessors, and why sometimes the fastest way to restore power is to resist the urge to rush into dangerous conditions. He reveals how $30 million in underground line investments paid dividends during the crisis and why the co-op now views these catastrophic events as proof they can handle anything. Beyond the operational lessons, this episode explores how extreme adversity can forge organizational resilience and why thinking "outside the box" isn't just a business strategy – it's survival for modern electric cooperatives facing an increasingly unpredictable world.
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002: Winnebago to the Rescue: When Electric Utilities Get Creative During a Crisis
06/24/2025
002: Winnebago to the Rescue: When Electric Utilities Get Creative During a Crisis
What happens when a hurricane threatens to flood your electric utility's control center and you have just 12 hours to evacuate? For James Tannenberger and his team during Hurricane Rita in 2005, the answer was a 1997 Winnebago converted into a mobile backup operations center. In this episode, James shares the harrowing story of their 32-hour journey from Houston to Fort Worth – a drive that should have taken 3.5 hours – as 1.5 million people fled Hurricane Rita's path simultaneously. Armed with a mechanically-questionable RV that had previously served as the company's marketing vehicle, James and his colleague faced overheating engines, mysteriously engaging parking brakes, and the challenge of staying awake during stop-and-go traffic that barely reached 20 mph. Beyond the adventure story, this episode reveals the dedication and "expedition mindset" that drives electric utility workers during crisis situations. James discusses the culture of mutual support that allows utility employees to handle personal responsibilities during normal times while knowing they'll drop everything when the grid needs them.
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001: Beyond the Bunny Hop: SCI-REMC's Path to Improving Member Satisfaction
06/24/2025
001: Beyond the Bunny Hop: SCI-REMC's Path to Improving Member Satisfaction
When James Tanneberger became CEO of SCI-REMC, his co-op ranked 17th out of 18 electric cooperatives in Southern Indiana for member satisfaction, with a score of just 68 out of 100. Eight years later, that score has climbed to 74 and continues rising. In this episode, James shares the innovative strategies that transformed his co-op's relationship with its members, from deploying fiber-to-the-home technology that enables remote outage management to ditching expensive annual meetings in favor of connecting with members at county fairs complete with deep-fried Twinkies and "bunny hop" electrical safety demonstrations.
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000: Co-Op Heroes: Introduction
06/24/2025
000: Co-Op Heroes: Introduction
Welcome to the show! Hosts James Tanneberger and Pablo Fuentes give a quick overview of the show. We will share stories and interviews with utility operators, highlighting the trials and triumphs of the people who bring power to our homes and businesses.
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