As part of the 75th Anniversary celebration during 2011, we are writing a series of articles about individuals who have been involved with Clarke-Washington EMC over the years. Last month we presented an article about the Cooperative from the perspective of former Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, Joe C. McCorquodale, Jr. 

His father was one of the pioneers who started the Cooperative and served as the first president. This month we are featuring Jim Howell, a long time employee who has been retired for eleven years. We have several more feature articles which will be in upcoming magazines. Some of those to be featured in coming months are Jimmy Hudson, Betty Joyce Etheredge, Virginia Greene, Bobby Farish and others.

I hope you will enjoy reading these future articles concerning the history of the Cooperative and how it may have changed over the year. The greatest improvement has probably been better equipment to work with. One thing that hasn’t changed is the Cooperatives concern for the membership. 

We work for you and try to provide you with the best service possible and I think that has been a goal of the Cooperative through the years.

For over forty years Clarke-Washington EMC has sponsored students from our area to attend the National Rural Electric Association’s annual Washington, D.C., Youth Tour. We are continually impressed by the students who are chosen to participate in this opportunity.

Marlee Moore of Thomasville High School and Faith Moss of Washington County High School were selected in February to spend a week this June in Washington D.C., learning more about rural electric cooperatives, community and leadership. There were eighteen high school juniors who vied for the spots. (More information about these students can be found on page 8.)

I want to thank you for your support and cooperation over the years. I hope you enjoy the monthly features.

Thank you! 

Stan Wilson, General Manager/CEO 
Clarke-Washington Electric Membership Corporation