Spring into action: Prep your AC unit now

Gibson Electric Membership Corporation recently welcomed several new employees.

Engineering Intern Josiah Tingley, Seventh-Period Apprentice Lineworkers Hayden French, and Jonathon Keeling, Apprentice Lineworker Baker Osborn and Technical Support Representative Jimmy Bailey joined the team in May.

Tingley is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at the University of Tennessee at Martin where he earned his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering. A native of Memphis, Tingley was a decorated football player at Evangelical Christian School in Cordova and has continued his playing career as an offensive lineman at UT Martin.

“Josiah is eager to learn, and we’re excited to see him contribute to our cooperative’s success,” said Gibson Electric Vice President of Technical Services Charles Phillips.

French is a native of Henry County with seven years of experience in the field. He most recently worked at Trenton Light & Water. He and his wife Shaelynn live in Milan with their three sons, ages 6, 3 and 5 months. He joins the Trenton member service team.

Keeling lives in Elbridge in Obion County and joins the Troy member service team. He also has seven years of experience as a lineworker, most recently at Cruse Power Line Construction, LLC. Keeling and his wife Amber have a son, 10, a daughter, 6, and three dogs.

Osbourn is from Tipton County and previously worked at Forked Deer Electric Cooperative for three years. His dad is a lineworker and inspired him to pursue the same career path. Osbourn lives in Halls and joins our Alamo member service team. He and his fiancée, Lexie, plan to marry this fall.

“We’re confident Hayden, Jonathon and Baker will be excellent additions to our teams in Trenton, Troy and Alamo and will help us continue delivering reliable service to our member-owners,” said Gibson Electric Vice President of Engineering and Operations Barry Smith. “Their experience strengthens our ability to respond efficiently, maintain our system and meet the needs of the communities we serve.”

Bailey is a Jackson native and graduate of Liberty Technology Magnet High School. He has a strong background in technical support and customer service, having worked as a Geek Squad field agent for Best Buy for three years. He and his wife Kacee live in Jackson.

“Jimmy’s knowledge, experience and personality make him a great addition to our team,” Phillips said. “He will provide excellent service to our subscribers.”

When outdoor temperatures rise, air conditioners work harder and run longer, causing a noticeable increase in electricity use. Add to that the fact that many people use electricity at the same times—mornings and early evenings—and the demand on our electric grid goes up even more.

At Gibson Electric Membership Corporation, we partner with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), our generation and transmission provider, to ensure you have reliable power every time you flip a switch. But our electric grid is part of a much larger system that extends beyond Gibson Electric and even TVA.

During the summer, when demand for electricity spikes across the country, especially during prolonged heat waves, it’s possible for demand to exceed supply. While rare, TVA may ask consumers to temporarily reduce energy use or implement rolling power outages to protect the grid. If that happens, Gibson Electric and TVA will keep you informed every step of the way.

We work proactively with TVA to strengthen our portion of the grid through regular maintenance, system upgrades and disaster response planning. But keeping the grid reliable takes all of us.

To help keep the air conditioner running for your family and neighbors, consider these tips during extreme heat:

Raise your thermostat to the highest comfortable setting. The closer it is to the outdoor temperature, the less energy your cooling system uses.

Use major appliances like dishwashers, ovens and dryers during off-peak hours.

Turn on ceiling fans to feel cooler—but turn them off when you leave the room.

Close blinds or curtains during the hottest part of the day to reduce indoor heat.

Cook with smaller appliances like air fryers, slow cookers or toaster ovens.

By making small changes during high-demand periods, you can lower your electric bill and help maintain a strong, reliable grid, keeping our communities cool, connected and prepared.

An intensive training program in Rutherford is giving youth the tools needed to pursue a career in firefighting while helping fire departments address dire staffing concerns.

Gathered to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Rutherford Junior Firefighter Program, 30 students stood shoulder-to-shoulder with leader Jessica Rudd, Rutherford Fire Department Recruiting and Retention Officer. “We could start our own fire department,” Rudd joked while proudly eyeing her cadets.

However, Rudd’s motivation to start the program was no joke. According to the National Fire Protection Association, America is facing a shortage of 222,000 volunteer firefighters while the population has increased 40% since 1984 and emergency calls have tripled. According to FEMA, which maintains the National Fire Department Registry, of the active firefighting personnel listed, 52% are volunteer firefighters. That number is 74% in Tennessee and 70% in Kentucky. Reporting to the registry is voluntary, but 91% of all U.S. fire departments are listed.

“When you’re having one of the worst days of your life, it will be a volunteer who will drop what they’re doing to come help you,” said Rutherford Fire Chief John Stafford.

Junior fire programs provide high school students with basic firefighting training to prepare them for jobs in the fire service once they turn 18. Rutherford started with 10 students. In just one year, five students have graduated, enrollment has tripled, and there is a waiting list with 20 students.

Classes include hose training, extrication training, search and rescue, agility course, hydrant/drafting training, fire tools/equipment training, one-minute drills, SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) training and more. Rudd works with other area fire departments to ensure students receive as much training as possible.

As they progress through the program, junior firefighters respond to firefighting calls and work on the scene. Rutherford junior firefighters are not allowed to fight interior attacks when a building is on fire. On exterior fires, they can hand over tools and hit hotspots after the fire has been extinguished.

“Going to fire calls is the best thing ever,” said Nathan Griggs, a junior at Gibson County High School.

Griggs’ experience in the program is common. The students’ passion has reignited Rudd’s love for the fire service.

“They make me want to be better,” she said. “They have the excitement and drive to be the best they can be and to help people. That’s what this job is all about.”

The junior firefighters can further their training to become emergency medical responders or emergency medical technicians. Gibson Electric Membership Corporation and CoBank provided matching funds to award the Rutherford Junior Firefighter Program with a $5,000 CoBank Sharing Success grant in October 2024 to help pay for a live burn training experience, EMR training, EMT school, equipment and t-shirts.

“Youth programs are important to our cooperative, and we’re thrilled to see what these young people are doing in Rutherford,” said Gibson Electric and Gibson Connect President and CEO Dan Rodamaker. “They’re not only setting themselves up for successful careers; they’re meeting a need in our communities. We’re grateful to Jessica, Chief Stafford and all the firefighters working with the program for passing on their knowledge and passion for service with the next generation.”

Gibson Electric Membership Corporation is proud to sponsor six local students on the annual Washington Youth Tour, an unforgettable expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., June 14-20.

Claire Evans, Crockett County; Brian Robertson, Gibson County; Catelyn Ripley, Lake County; Reese Ulen, Obion County; Sophia Harding, Kentucky; and Jaxon Vredingburgh, At-Large; will join peers from electric cooperatives across the country on a six-day trip organized by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and sponsored by Gibson Electric and the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association (TECA).

To be eligible for Washington Youth Tour, high school juniors submit a short story of 900 words or less explaining how co-ops are “Energizing Every Moment” by providing communities with energy, education, broadband, economic development and more.

Vredingburgh penned the winning story for Gibson Electric. His submission will be judged at the state level where the top three winners will receive scholarships of $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.

“Jaxon’s short story is required reading for anyone new to the cooperative model,” said Gibson Electric and Gibson Connect President and CEO Dan Rodamaker. “He does a great job explaining how electric co-ops energize our members and communities. We’re happy to have Jaxon, Claire, Brian, Catelyn, Reese and Sophia representing Gibson Electric on this year’s tour. They will come back home energized and eager to serve their communities.”

Every student who participates in the short story writing contest for Gibson Electric is entered into a drawing for five $500 scholarships. Names were drawn at the co-op’s annual meeting held in March, and winners are Cam Pankey, Crockett County; Chandler Milan, Gibson County; Paige Owens-Teague, Lake County; Julianna Northam, Obion County; and Emma Allen, At-Large.

For more information on Washington Youth Tour, visit https://www.tnelectric.org/youthtour/ or call Gibson Electric at 731-855-4660 ext. 1615.

You probably have a good reason for wanting to take on a do-it-yourself home project. From saving money to customizing specifications to your liking, it’s easy to see why homeowners are eager to roll up their sleeves and do the work themselves.

Gibson Electric Membership Corporation encourages homeowners to keep safety in mind when tackling these types of projects. Dangerous situations can easily arise without proper safety precautions and understanding of the work involved.

When it comes to home electrical projects, here are some safety reminders:

• Learn about your home electrical system so it’s easier to navigate and maintain it safely.
• Stay away from a project that is beyond your level of skill. You can help prevent tragedies by calling a professional.
• Be sure to turn off the power to the circuit you plan to work on by turning off the circuit breaker in your main service panel.
• Unplug any lamp or appliance before you start working on it.
• Test the wires before you touch them to ensure the power is turned off.
• Avoid touching plumbing or gas pipes when doing your electrical project.

“Many homeowners lack the real knowledge or experience to safely take on some projects around the house,” said Gibson Electric Safety Coordinator Jon Jones. “They should use extreme caution and thorough planning. If it feels like a project is beyond your skill or comfort level, leave it to a professional.”

By Jaxon Vredingburgh

Jaxon is a junior at Peabody High School. His short story is the overall winner in our 2025 Cooperative Writing Contest. Jaxon’s story has been submitted at the state level. This year’s theme is Energizing Every Moment.

In the heart of West Tennessee, two friends, Dean and Sam, set off on an adventure to uncover the story of electric cooperatives. It was a crisp January morning, and they’d heard about these cooperatives energizing their communities in ways far beyond just providing power. Curious and eager to learn, they ventured to a small rural town near Jackson, Tennessee.

“Alright, Sam,” Dean said, adjusting his jacket as they walked through a quiet street lined with old brick buildings. “I’ve been hearing a lot about electric co-ops around here. What’s the big deal? I mean, they’re just electric companies, right?”

Sam grinned. “Oh, they’re a lot more than that. These co-ops are different. They’re run by the people they serve, not shareholders. Every decision is made for the community, not a distant corporate office.”

Dean raised an eyebrow. “Sounds interesting. But how does that even work? How are these places different from, say, a regular utility?”

Sam led the way down a narrow road towards a building with a modest sign that read “Green River Electric Cooperative.” “Let me show you. This is where it all begins. You’ll see what makes these co-ops unique.”

Inside the cooperative, they met Jessica, a friendly employee who had worked there for years. She gave them a tour of the facility, explaining the core principles behind the electric co-ops. “One principle we take very seriously,” she said, “is autonomy and independence.” We make our own decisions, independent of big corporations. This allows us to focus on what’s best for our members here in West Tennessee.”

Jessica continues to explain, “Tennessee’s electric cooperatives provide power to more than 3 million Tennesseans. Unlike other businesses, electric cooperatives are owned by the consumers they serve and operate as not-for-profit businesses. This might not sound important, but it means that consumers are the priority. Rates are kept low because there are no stockholders to pay, and the co-op is responsive to members because they vote on co-op leadership.”

“I keep on seeing all of these “TECA” signs everywhere, what are they?” Dean asked.

Jessica replies, “TECA is the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. It is a trade association established to serve the needs of Tennessee’s electric cooperatives. The association represents 23 individual power distributors including Tennessee’s 22 electric cooperatives and one municipal system. TECA exists to provide leadership, advocacy and support to unify and empower Tennessee’s consumer-owned electric co-ops. The association empowers cooperatives to improve everyday life for their consumer-owners through the reliable delivery of safe and affordable energy and the advancement of Tennessee’s rural and suburban communities.”

Dean replies, “Doesn’t this also affect our rural communities throughout the world?”

“You’re correct, it does,” Jessica agrees. “Our modern education, healthcare and commerce all depend on access to the internet. When broadband is unavailable, too slow or too expensive, the impacts can be profound with jobs and capital investment located elsewhere, students falling behind their urban peers and existing businesses missing out on opportunities to sell their goods and services. To support the growing technology and communication needs of modern power grids, many co-ops already operate internal fiber optic networks that reach deep into rural Tennessee. Co-ops have a legacy of expanding critical infrastructure beyond the city limits. A generation ago, the issue was electricity. Today, it is broadband.”

“Wasn’t there a president associated with all of this?” Sam asked.

“Yes! On May 18th, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Tennessee Valley Authority Act which created a federal agency to provide river navigation, flood control, electric generation, fertilizer manufacturing, and economic development in the Tennessee Valley,” Jessica said. “He also created the Rural Electrification Administration, which made federal funds available to provide rural electric service. Existing power companies expressed little interest, so the leaders of farm organizations proposed the formation of nonprofit electric cooperatives.”

“What does all of this mean?” Dean asked.

“Well, the co-ops represent people all across Tennessee, but it’s not just about keeping the lights on. They advocate for policies that protect rural communities, run leadership programs for students and even offer grants for economic development,” Sam replied.

“That’s pretty cool. I figured they just handled the business side of electricity, but it sounds like they’re involved in supporting local communities,” Dean stated.

Each year, Gibson Electric Membership Corporation sponsors two Tennessee students on the Youth Leadership Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, and two Kentucky students on the Frankfort Youth Tour.

This year’s Tennessee delegates were juniors Seth LaRue, Dyer County High School, and Madee Arflack, Peabody High School, and the Kentucky delegates were juniors Sydney Todd and Ella Gilbert, Carlile County High School.

Youth Leadership Summit

During their stay in Nashville, LaRue, Arflack and 44 of their peers representing electric co-ops from across the state participated in leadership development activities and learned more about what co-ops do for their communities. Students visited the YMCA Outdoor Center at Camp Widjiwagan for team building and a scavenger hunt. While there, they also participated in electric safety demonstrations.

At the state Capitol, students met with their representatives, Secretary of State Tre Hargett and Gov. Bill Lee. The summit also included some Nashville classics like the Goo Goo Cluster Store and the Country Music Hall of Fame, and delegates attended an Andy Grammer concert at the historic Ryman.

“I was uncertain what I was getting into, but it genuinely was a great experience to get to learn about electric co-ops and hang out with people that have similar hobbies and aspirations as me,” LaRue said.

“It taught me so much about teamwork, connecting with others and leading with heart,” Arflack said. “I left feeling inspired to make a difference and to always support those around me.”

Frankfort Youth Tour

Nearly 100 students representing Kentucky’s electric co-ops participated in the Frankfort Youth Tour, a program that offers student leaders a personal understanding of American history, civic engagement and their role as citizens and members of electric co-ops.

Lt. Gov. Jacquline Coleman welcomed students to the Capitol and encouraged them to find their passion and get involved in their communities. After touring the Capitol, students observed the Senate and House chambers while they were in session. Later, East Kentucky Power Cooperative provided bucket truck and safety demonstrations.

During lunch hosted by the Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Youth Tour delegation and the Rural Electric Cooperative Caucus, students met with elected officials and co-op leaders. For the 10^th consecutive year, in conjunction with the Frankfort Youth Tour, Kentucky’s co-ops partnered with Secretary of State Michael Adams to launch the 2025 Co-ops Vote initiative, a nonpartisan effort to boost voter turnout in rural communities across the country.

“Getting to meet and hear the political figures was something I’ll never forget,” Gilbert said. “It opened my eyes to what really goes on in our government.”

“I enjoyed sitting in the House gallery and the tour,” Todd said. “I thought it was fascinating.”

Gibson Electric Member Services Specialist Sarah Williams chaperoned the students on both trips.

Three schools served by Gibson Electric Membership Corporation – Bells Elementary School, Dyer School and South Gibson County High School – have been awarded STEM grants from Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in March.

TVA, in partnership with Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc., a TVA retiree organization, provides grants to develop science, technology, engineering, and math education programs for students that will inspire interest in STEM-related fields. The organizations have awarded nearly $8 million in STEM grants since 2018.

Citing specific projects or programs they hoped to implement, educators from across TVA’s seven-state region applied for grants of up to $5,000. Bells Elementary and Dyer each received $5,000, and South Gibson County High School received $3,500.

“We are grateful for TVA and Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc. for their continued investment in STEM education,” said Gibson Electric and Gibson Connect President and CEO Dan Rodamaker. “We celebrate with Bells Elementary, Dyer School and South Gibson County High School because the impact of the grants will extend far beyond the classroom. We appreciate our teachers for exposing our students to the diverse career opportunities available in STEM.”

For information on how to apply for a future STEM grant, please contact Gibson Electric at 731-855-4660, ext.1611.

Building floats in a sand-bottom, barely standing pole barn led Gibson Electric Field Engineer Mitzie Privitt to her husband Jerry and their shared passion for service. Three decades and over 700 floats later, Privitt is honored to serve as the president of the 87^th West Tennessee Strawberry Festival, Tennessee’s largest and longest-running festival.

“It’s my year to put my spin on the festival, which is awesome,” Privitt said. “I never thought I’d find myself here because I’m the worker bee that stays behind the scenes.”

As a youngster, Privitt watched and studied her mom build parade floats for Brown Shoe Company and had a ball tackling the homecoming floats with her class at Peabody High School. In 1991 when her son Taylor participated in the Gibson County Fair, Privitt built a float for him to ride in several local parades, including the Strawberry Festival. Two years later, Privitt was hired as the festival’s float builder, with area businesses also asking for her services.

Toiling over a Wendy’s restaurant float that featured a maypole, Privitt was ready to call it quits. Jerry, who was little more than an acquaintance at the time, stayed with Privitt helping her complete the job.

“I was a hot mess when we met but he continued to keep a check on me in that old pole barn,” she joked. “It was one day before the parade and that Wendy’s float was barely even started. I was on the verge of tears and ready to throw in the towel.  If he hadn’t stayed all day and night into the wee hours of the morning helping me, I never would have gotten Wendy’s maypole to Main Street.”

Privitt would learn that Jerry was worried about her being alone at the barn at night. Known for his care and concern for others, Jerry is the co-founder and executive director of the Humboldt Area Rescue Squad (HARS), a team of highly trained rescue technicians and EMTs. They married in 1997 and welcomed daughter Allie in 1998. They are grandparents to Jude and Joseph, and Privitt is honorary “Mimi” to her niece’s children, Olivia and Oliver.

In 2001, long after the pole barn was demolished and several temporary workplaces later, the couple built a shop at their house. Every year from Jan. 1 to the first week in May, Privitt builds 26 to 34 floats. From baby strollers to golf carts to 20-ft trailers, Privitt designs each float from start to finish.

“Customers usually come to me with little to no idea of what they want,” Privitt said. She builds floats for businesses, churches, pageant royalty and families. “The first questions I ask them are the age range of the children riding on the float, the number of children on the float and what those children love.”

She starts with a sketch. Once the design is approved, Privitt uses anything at her disposal – wood, PVC, cardboard, wallpaper glue and more – to bring her vision to life.

“I never know what I’m going to use, but I love working with tissue paper,” she said. “That is the most traditional part of the build that hasn’t been forgotten.”

Privitt found her love for art at a young age and took art classes in high school. She attended Lambuth College on scholarships for art, academics and tennis. Unsure how to make a living with art, she studied drafting at a Tennessee technical school.

Privitt joined Gibson Electric as a dispatcher in 2007 and moved to GIS technician in 2019. She was recently promoted to field and compliance engineer where she is blending the skills she has learned at the cooperative with those honed in her workshop.

“Talking to members is the same as talking to float customers,” Privitt said. “It’s all about finding out what they want and presenting them with what we can do on their budget and finding the best way to hook into our electric and fiber grid.”

While she spends most of the year juggling the responsibilities of work, family and passion projects ranging from float building to supporting HARS, Privitt will dedicate May 4-10 to the Strawberry Festival and the 36 events and estimated 75,000 people that will flock to Humboldt, during the week. As president, she chose this year’s festival theme, “It’s a berry good life: When our community unites, the celebration ignites,” which honors the 100-plus Strawberry Festival volunteers. When the floats she has lovingly crafted move down Main Street to the delight of families from across the state, Privitt will take a moment to reflect on her 32-year journey.

“Who would have thought something I did just in my free time would turn into 32 years’ worth of work?” she said. “It’s like an artist seeing their artwork in a museum. I just get to see mine in a parade.”

Visit https://strawberryfestivaltn.com/ for more information on the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival.

The comfortable spring weather is more likely to nudge you to open your windows than to turn on the air conditioner, making it the perfect time to prep your system for the summer heat.

The best time to service your home’s air conditioning system is when you don’t need it. If you put it off until it’s 90 degrees outdoors, you could be dealing with some down time that can leave your home uncomfortable.

Annual service is important because your technician will lubricate and clean moving parts and check for—and repair—potential problems. That will make it more likely that your system will run smoothly all summer.

Choose a technician who is licensed by the state. Chances are the same tech can come back in the fall to tune up your heating system.

If you need to replace your central AC unit, you may quality for an EnergyRight rebate from the Tennessee Valley Authority. Find more details about residential rebate programs and qualified contractors at https://energyright.com/residential/rebates/.