When Richard BeDen started his career in accounting, he was equipped with a luggable computer he carried from audit to audit.

“It had two floppy disk drives and a small, green screen,” he recalled. “It was packed in what looked like a small suitcase on wheels, and we ‘lugged’ it around with us.”

The earliest models weighed 28 pounds and had no battery.

By the time BeDen retired from Gibson Electric Membership Corporation on Jan. 9, 2026, the weight and portability of laptop computers and iPads made the technology needed to do his job far easier to carry.

“Technology has been the biggest change over my career,” he said.

BeDen was raised primarily around Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Clemson University and was a student there when the Tigers won their first football national championship in 1981.

After years as an auditor in the private sector, BeDen spent one year at Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation before joining Gibson Electric in March 2010. His title would later change from vice president of accounting and finance to chief financial officer.

He found the not-for-profit model of the cooperatives to be a good fit.

“The service attitude versus hitting the bottom line is so much better,” he said.

As CFO, BeDen was ultimately responsible for ensuring the cooperative was a good steward of its finances. While largely behind the scenes, BeDen’s contributions to the leadership team and co-op in general helped strengthen Gibson Electric’s financial foundation for years to come.

He enjoyed the people he worked with and their shared commitment to serving members.

“We were all heading for the same goal,” he said. “Our ideas for how we got there might be different, but the result was always good. We put our members first.”

What’s next

BeDen lined up a full slate of volunteerism and fun to fill his days in retirement. He looks forward to working with RIFA in Jackson and the Samaritan’s Purse and Eight Days of Hope disaster relief and homebuilding teams. He also has some projects to do around the house and plans to be a regular at the Jackson Senior Activity Center.

Spending more time with family is also on his to-do list. Richard and his wife of 26 years, Kendra, have three children, Kelsey Powers, Kaley Dunavant and Kameron BeDen, and five grandchildren, Liam, Lydia and Crew Powers and Charlotte and Caroline Dunavant. The couple attends West Jackson Baptist Church, where they are involved in their Sunday school group.

“Richard is one of those people you just enjoy being around,” said Gibson Electric and Gibson Connect President and CEO Dan Rodamaker. “He was quick with a smile and a laugh and always provided sound financial guidance. We miss him, but we’re happy for him to enjoy this next chapter of life.”

Prior to BeDen’s retirement, Julie Grogan was promoted to succeed him.