As we settle into the new year, we pause and recognize three longtime employees whose retirements mark the end of distinguished careers at Pioneer Electric.
In January, we wished the very best to Engineering Coordinator Rachael Disney, who retired after 30 years of service; IT Manager Dennis Scofield, who retired after 18 years of service; and Construction Crew Foreman Louis Ulmer, who retired after 41 years of service. Each of them helped shape our cooperative through dedication, hard work and a deep commitment to our members.
On behalf of the Board and their coworkers, we thank them for the legacies they leave behind and wish them health and happiness in retirement.
Moments like these are both celebratory and reflective. They remind us that experience matters and that preparing for the future is just as important as honoring the past. That is where succession planning and talent development come into focus.
At an electric cooperative, many of the most critical skills are not learned overnight or solely in a classroom. They are developed over time, through hands-on experience, mentoring and repetition.
A good example is our line crews. It takes years of training, coursework and on-the-job learning for a lineman to progress to journeyman status. That time investment ensures not only technical competence, but also safety, sound judgment and confidence when working in challenging conditions.
The same principle applies across the cooperative. Whether it is operations, engineering, member services, information technology or administration, much of what makes someone effective in their role is learned on the job. Systems, procedures, local knowledge and problem-solving skills are often passed down from one employee to another. That transfer of knowledge does not happen by accident.
Succession planning is about being intentional. It means identifying future needs, developing employees who show potential and giving them opportunities to learn, grow and take on greater responsibility. It also means encouraging seasoned employees to share what they know and helping newer employees understand that mastery takes time.
As we thank Rachael, Dennis and Louis for their service, we also recommit to building the next generation of cooperative professionals. Investing in people through training, mentorship and experience is one of the most important responsibilities we have. It is how we honor those who came before us and ensure Pioneer Electric remains strong, reliable and member-focused for years to come.
To our retirees: thank you for a job well done. To our employees and future leaders: your growth today is what powers our cooperative tomorrow.