Dan Rodamaker announces retirement

Data centers may feel like a big-city phenomenon, but more of them are showing up in rural communities like ours for good reason. Rural areas offer what data centers need most: affordable land, room to grow and access to transmission lines that can move large amounts of power.

What makes data centers different from other large businesses is their appetite for electricity. These facilities run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Servers must stay online constantly, which means power has to be reliable every minute of every day.

Powering data centers creates both opportunities and challenges. On the plus side, data centers have the potential to bring steady, long-term load growth that helps support investments in the local grid. With proper planning and policy support, those upgrades could benefit all Gibson Electric members and help keep electric rates steady.

Providing power to data centers presents challenges too. These large facilities can be constructed and operating in as little as one year, but ensuring the necessary infrastructure, equipment and electricity requires longer lead times and significant financial investment.

While Gibson Electric does not currently serve any data centers, co-ops nationwide are fielding requests and inquiries from tech companies, and we could receive similar requests. As a member-owned cooperative, our responsibility is twofold: to listen to the communities we serve and to provide reliable, affordable electric service to all Gibson Electric members.

No matter what the future holds, our priority is to ensure all decisions reflect our member-owners’ best interests.

After a late-night storm settles and most folks head to bed, Gibson Electric Membership Corporation crews are just getting started.

Gibson Electric lineworkers and Gibson Connect fiber technicians work in all weather, day and night, to restore power and keep communities connected.

At the roadside, they set cones, position bucket trucks and service vans and get to work. Whether they’re troubleshooting a downed power line or diagnosing a damaged fiber drop, the tasks are complex and demand full concentration. Passing vehicles that speed, drift close or fail to move over can kick up gravel and break focus, putting everyone at risk.

Minutes or hours later, service is restored. Those moments are quiet but meaningful: Lights return, connections come back, and families wake up to a normal morning. Our crews take pride in their work, the Gibson logos on their hard hats and vehicles and the people they serve.

“Rain or shine, day or night, our lineworkers and fiber technicians are here for you,” said Gibson Electric Safety Coordinator Jon Jones. “Every safe decision behind the wheel helps them get home to the people who love them.”

How you can help:

• Slow down near bucket trucks, service vans, and flashing lights or any crew in reflective vests.
• Move over. On a four‑lane road, when safety and traffic conditions allow, move into the lane farthest from the work area. If changing lanes isn’t possible on a two‑lane road, reduce speed and give extra space.
• Watch for cones, cables and flaggers. Proceed through work zones with caution.
• Stay off your phone and avoid other distractions. Keep your eyes on the road.
• Be patient. Crews may stop or reposition without warning.

“‘Move Over’ isn’t just the law; it’s what gets our people home,” Jones said. “A little care behind the wheel goes a long way in protecting their safety and yours.”

What can 900 words do? More than you think.

They can open doors to unforgettable experiences, lifelong friendships and even thousands of dollars in scholarships. They can take you from your hometown to the steps of the U.S. Capitol. All it takes is one short story and your imagination.

The Electric Cooperative Creative Writing Contest invites high school juniors to write a 900-word story showing how electric cooperatives are “Energizing Every Moment.” Co-ops power communities through reliable energy, broadband expansion, education, economic development and more. Your story should creatively capture that impact while entertaining and informing readers.

What makes a winning story?

Judges are looking for appropriate treatment of theme and knowledge of subject, originality, creativity, grammar and composition. To stand out:

• Develop interesting characters, a clear setting and time frame of the story.
• Include at least three specific examples of how co-ops connect their communities.
• Incorporate at least one of the seven cooperative principles.
• Make it memorable. Your words should spark curiosity and connection.

900 life-changing words

Andrew Runions remembers exploring the Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., with two new friends in June 2017.

“It’s the day I remember best,” Runions, a Crockett County native, said. “We went and explored the museums and really built our friendships on the fly. The Washington Your Tour is great for building social skills.”

Runions graduated from Crockett County High School in 2018, headed for Middle Tennessee State University and a future career in medicine. In his first semester, he changed his major from biology to political science.

“The Washington Youth Tour had something to do with that,” Runions said. “Spending time at the Capitol, I grew a love for that environment. It inspired me to change my career path.”

After graduating from MTSU in 2021, Runions earned his law degree from Belmont University in 2025. Today, he’s clerking for Judge Timothy Easter in the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals in Nashville.

He encourages high school juniors to take the leap and write the story.

“It’s important as a citizen to understand and learn about our history,” he said. “The Washington Youth Tour is a great first step to get immersed in that environment and an amazing trip you’ll remember for the rest of your life.”

Your story could be the first step toward an incredible journey. For details and inspiration, visit tnelectric.org or gibsoncoops.com. For entry details, call your local member service center or 731-855-4660 ext. 1615.

If there’s one word chilling the blood of politicians across the aisle today, it’s affordability. From housing to healthcare, education and energy, costs are rising everywhere — and no one is happy about it.

This time of year can be especially hard. Severe winter weather drives up heating costs. There are many reasons for increasing costs in the energy sector, from increased electrification to spiking infrastructure costs and regulatory pressures.

Understanding these conditions is important to make sense of how we got here. It’s also important to understand how co-ops fit into the picture — and that we are on your side.

Here at Gibson Electric Membership Corporation, we’re not just an energy company, and you’re not just a customer. Electric cooperatives are different from every other kind of utility because we are owned by the people we serve. As a member-owner, you’re a part-owner of the company that purchases and distributes power to you. This is a responsibility we take seriously.

We are speaking up for you in Nashville, Frankfort and in Washington, D.C., to advocate for commonsense energy policies that protect affordability along with the reliability and safety of our energy supply. Too many interest groups are willing to accept policies that increase costs for everyone in service of their own agendas. Co-ops are the voice of reason on your behalf.

We also look out for you by providing regular and reliable information about our cooperative, issues affecting the energy supply, programs and services to help you reduce energy use and tips to stay safe around electricity in all weather conditions. Knowledge is power, and it’s essential to rely on information you can trust. 

And as demand on the grid grows every day, we are also planning for the future with you in mind. We understand that economic growth is critical, but we also know that it can’t come at the expense of our members. This attitude is no accident. It’s built into the way we operate. Because we’re a cooperative, we are accountable to you, first and last.

Thank you for allowing us to serve you.

Gibson Electric Membership Corporation is more than a utility; we’re neighbors working together to power and connect our communities. Our Annual Members’ Meeting on Thursday, March 26, at Crockett County High School in Alamo is your chance to come together, catch up with friends and help guide the future of your cooperative.

Here’s what makes the evening special:

Registration begins at 6 p.m.
Every member will receive a gift and a ticket for a chance to win one of ten $100 bill credits and other door prizes.
Kids can enter to win one of three $50 gift cards because we love celebrating our youngest members too!

Enjoy a free meal and fellowship.
We’ll serve barbecue sandwiches or hot dogs, chips, dessert and your choice of a soft drink or bottled water.

Family-friendly entertainment starts at 6:15 p.m.
Local youth from Kincaid Gooch Studio will share their talent with members. Founded in 1963 and located in Alamo, Kincaid Gooch is one of the largest private vocal studios in the nation. Attracting students from across West Tennessee and North Mississippi, Kincaid Gooch is known for its unique take on coaching and training for pop vocal performance.

Business meeting starts at 7 p.m.
Hear updates on how your cooperative is serving you today and planning for tomorrow. Cooperative leaders will share highlights from the past year and what’s ahead.

“As a member-owned cooperative, connecting with the people we serve is vital to our operations,” Rodamaker said. “Making it a fun evening for our member-owners and employees is icing on the cake. We hope you’ll join us!”

Need special accommodations?
Please call your local member service center and ask for ext. 1611 by Monday, March 9, so we can assist you.

Play this quick guessing game to find out who’s strengthening our communities:

I’m about the width of a human hair.
I can carry a heavy load — fast.
I help connect communities and bridge the digital divide.
I am faster and more reliable than my competition.
I enable smart grid technology for better power management.
I help improve Gibson Electric Membership Corporation’s services.

Did you guess fiber lines?
Fiber-optic lines are thin strands of glass that transmit data using light instead of electricity. Each strand is tiny but powerful, carrying massive amounts of information at lightning speed — far faster and more reliable than copper or coaxial cables. These lines are the backbone of high-speed internet and other communication services like phone and streaming.

Just like power lines, fiber lines require care. Here are a few safety tips:

• Call before you dig. Dial 811 before digging to avoid damaging underground fiber lines.
• Don’t shoot near fiber lines. During hunting season — especially dove season — never aim toward utility poles or lines. A single shot can damage fiber and disrupt communication for entire communities.
• Stay clear of lines. If fiber is attached to poles, keep away when trimming trees or using ladders. Treat all downed wires as if they are energized.
• Report damage immediately. If you see a broken or exposed line, call Gibson Electric. Never try to fix it yourself.

If you have questions about our Gibson Connect fiber internet or are ready to sign up, visit gibsoncoops.com, call 731-562-6000 or contact your local member service center.

Please note: Gibson Electric is not involved in the application process or in distributing LIHEAP funds. All applications and decisions are handled directly by the appropriate state and local agencies.

Applications for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are being accepted in Tennessee and Kentucky. This federally funded grant program aims to assist low-income households in meeting their immediate energy needs.

In Tennessee, LIHEAP is administered through a network of 19 local agencies that reach all 95 counties. It is one-time assistance offered to help defray heating and cooling expenses, as long as funding is available. The LIHEAP assistance amount will range from $174 to $750 depending on household energy burden.

Applications and all necessary forms must be submitted via SmartSimple. If you need assistance, the agency serving your county can help you with your application. Gibson Electric members who live in Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Lake or Obion counties should contact the Northwest Tennessee Economic Development Council at (731) 364-3228.

Gibson Electric members who live in Haywood and Madison counties should contact the Southwest HRA at (731) 989-5111.

Gibson Electric members who live in Lauderdale County should contact the Delta Human Resources Agency at (901) 476-5226.

Tennesseans can visit https://thda.org/help-for-homeowners/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap/ for more information.

In Kentucky, LIHEAP is administered through local Community Action Agencies and is available in all 120 counties. Winter Crisis applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis through March 27, 2026. Applications are submitted through local Community Action Agencies. Gibson Electric members who live in Kentucky should call 800-456-3452 or visit www.capky.org/network to locate their local office.

Ready to make your winter one to remember? TVA EnergyRight is giving you the chance to win big just for taking smart steps toward energy savings.

Complete your free DIY Home Energy Assessment by March 8, 2026, and you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win our Winter Wonder List prize pack (worth $600):

Gourmet Pizza Oven

North Face Gloves

Fujifilm Instax Mini 41

7qt Crockpot

Kindle Basic

Smokeless Fire Pit

You’ll also fetch a free energy-saving kit and a $10 gift card just for completing your assessment.

It’s fun, fast and the perfect way to check energy savings off your Winter Wonder List while making your home more efficient for the season ahead. Enter to win at https://energyright.com/winterwonderlist/

When outdoor temperatures drop, electricity use naturally rises.

Colder weather drives us indoors, where we rely more heavily on home heating systems and more lighting. Heating systems run longer and more frequently to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. Combine that with the fact that most people use electricity at the same times — typically in the mornings and early evenings — and the result is significant pressure on our electric grid.

Gibson Electric Membership Corporation works closely with the Tennessee Valley Authority, our generation and transmission company, to plan for these seasonal weather patterns and changes. This partnership involves detailed resource and infrastructure planning to make certain electricity is available whenever you need it. However, it’s important to remember that our local system is part of a much larger regional and national electric grid.

During the winter months, when homes and businesses across the country are using more electricity simultaneously, overall demand can approach or occasionally exceed available supply. This is especially true during severe weather events such as ice storms or sudden temperature drops. In rare cases when demand threatens to outpace supply, TVA might call for controlled outages (rolling blackouts) to prevent broader system failures. If such a situation arises, Gibson Electric will provide you with timely updates.

Help us maintain a reliable grid by taking simple actions during periods of high electricity use, especially on the coldest days of winter:

• Lower your thermostat slightly. Even reducing the temperature by a few degrees can help.

• Delay using large appliances during peak hours, which are typically 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. Run dishwashers, washing machines and dryers during off-peak hours.

• Adjust your water heater. Setting it to 120 degrees and spacing out showers helps conserve both energy and hot water.

• Unplug unnecessary devices. Power used for lighting and electronics adds up and accounts for a significant portion of home energy use. Disconnect unused items to reduce energy waste.

By practicing these energy conservation habits at home, you save money on your monthly bill and help strengthen the resiliency of the grid that powers our communities. Thank you for helping us ensure our local grid continues to serve us reliably throughout the season.

After 22 years of service, Gibson Electric and Gibson Connect President and CEO Dan Rodamaker has announced his retirement effective May 1, 2026.

Rodamaker joined Gibson Electric Membership Corporation in August of 2003.

“It has been my honor and privilege to serve the members, employees and the board of trustees of Gibson Electric Membership Corporation,” Rodamaker said.

Notably, Rodamaker led Gibson Electric to form its broadband subsidiary in 2017. Since that time, Gibson Connect has provided high-speed internet access to the cooperative’s member-owners.

“We are happy we can deliver this essential service and bridge the rural divide for our Northwest Tennessee and Western Kentucky members,” Rodamaker said. “I’ve truly been blessed by the relationships with those who work in the cooperative family.”

Rodamaker and his wife, Kim, make their home in Trenton. They have three children and 11 grandchildren. The Gibson Electric and Gibson Connect Board of Trustees is in the process of selecting the next president and CEO.