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Indiana’s electric cooperatives urged Congress to provide full funding for broadband to meet the growing demand for high-speed internet service. Congress is expected to take up a sweeping infrastructure bill this year that will include broadband expansion to rural communities and underserved urban areas for decades to come. While the telecommunications industry and stakeholders broadly agree broadband access and affordability are critically important, there isn’t always agreement on how to make that happen. Some segments of the industry, including large telephone, fixed wireless and satellite companies, advocate for any new broadband infrastructure programs to fund networks at much lower speeds than cooperatives and others are striving to build. Cooperatives want their consumer-members to have access to broadband that will be reliable and affordable, and meet their speed needs now and for years to come. That is why electric cooperatives advocate that any new federal programs must fund broadband infrastructure capable of: • Enabling businesses to meet the needs of consumers • Empowering businesses to relocate to any community • Providing opportunities for teleworkers and students at the same level regardless of geography • Enabling anchor institutions to fully provide for their entire communities • Making precision agriculture capabilities possible so agriculture producers can improve efficiencies. Source: https://www.electric.coop/nreca-to-congress-be-bold-in-funding-broadband-that-meets-future-demand Electric Co-ops and Indiana’s Leaders Work Together to Bridge Broadband Divide We serve as a partner and knowledge source for Indiana’s leaders, including Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. Crouch’s staff asked Indiana Electric Cooperatives to arrange meetings with some of the REMCs and community partners who are actively solving the internet crisis. In July, Crouch attended the first in a series of roundtables at South Central Indiana REMC in Martinsville. The meeting included representatives from five REMCs and two community partners. During the roundtable, Crouch asked the REMCs how broadband connectivity efforts were going in their communities. They also discussed the broadband grant program administered by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. “It's encouraging to know we have partners here in Indiana electric co-ops who are invested in connecting Hoosiers and want to help expand broadband throughout Indiana,” Crouch said. New Study: Cooperative Membership Helps Economic and Social Well-Being Worldwide: Benefits of cooperative membership exceed prioritized broadband access and extend past U.S. borders. A new report by the International Cooperative Research Group, the research arm of the U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council, reveals members of cooperatives in countries spanning four continents are more likely to have above-average incomes, a better sense of overall well-being, and improved access to social support systems. This report shows co-ops improve the quality of people’s lives in communities around the world. They provide unique economic opportunities for the members they serve. Cooperatives help members increase their prosperity directly through access to credit and higher earnings, and indirectly by helping to provide access to financial education, mentors and training. The combined result is that members are better prepared to serve as effective business owners and leaders in their communities. The report also said cooperatives offer a socially conscious business model, inherently concerned with community well-being. This translates to cooperative members having stronger overall trust in their communities. The data shows valued cooperative benefits extend beyond the impacts on income and include social and community advancements. Source: https://www.electric.coop/new-study-co-op-membership-helps-economic-and-social-well-being-worldwide

Three ways your co-op is working for you “By working together, pooling our resources and building on our strengths, we can accomplish great things.” ~ Ronald Reagan SEIREMC understands the importance of working together to accomplish great things. Here are some of the ways we have recently been working with others on behalf of our members. Working with Legislators Senator Chris Garten visited Southeastern Indiana REMC’s headquarters on Tuesday, July 27th to talk about issues affecting the quality of life in southeast Indiana. During his visit, he toured the headquarters facilities, currently under construction, and participated in an informative Q & A session about important issues affecting the cooperative and its members. Here are a few of the topics that were discussed. SEIREMC’s diligent efforts to reclaim right-of-way (ROW) to improve system reliability and line-loss. The importance of state and federal funding to help make rural broadband projects possible. The unique partnership that SEIREMC has in its joint venture with SEI Communications to provide a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) project to the members of Southeastern Indiana REMC. The financial impact of recent legislative action regarding pole attachments on rural electric cooperatives. On Thursday, July 29th, SEIREMC and SEI Communications were invited to attend a broadband roundtable meeting with Lieutenant Governor, Suzanne Crouch, and several other Indiana cooperatives. The purpose of the meeting was to: Provide feedback about broadband initiatives in rural Indiana. Discuss challenges and opportunities associated with obtaining funding for these projects. Discuss the crucial need for accurate data regarding internet speeds and availability from the unserved and underserved residents of rural Indiana. Working with Other Co-op’s Cooperation among cooperatives is one of our core principles. In addition to giving and receiving help during extensive storm restoration efforts, co-op’s come together to develop programs and services that benefit our members in a number of ways. Here are some examples. Broadband programs to help breakdown the rural/urban digital divide. Grassroots initiatives to amplify the political voice of rural Indiana residents. Residential and commercial rebate programs to help our members use energy efficiently and save money. Working with Community Organizations Commitment to community is also one of our core principles. In the past few months your REMC has been very active in community activities across our seven-county service area. We love being actively involved in our communities and helping to support the work of other groups and organizations to help improve the quality of life in southeast Indiana. Here are some of the ways we have recently been involved. 4-H Fairs Event Sponsorships Operation Round Up Program Working effectively together is crucial to building a strong community and improving the quality of life for all. It is an ongoing effort that will require teamwork, tenacity, and a desire for continual growth and improvement. Southeastern Indiana REMC demonstrates its commitment to these things every day and will continue to do so, in keeping with our mission to safely provide reliable electricity and diversified services to the members and communities we serve.

Operation Round Up funds totaling $47,430 have been awarded to 23 recipients from the REMC’s seven-county service territory. This grant money is made possible through the generosity of the REMC membership by rounding up their monthly electric bill to the nearest dollar amount. Projects that will benefit from this round of Operation Round Up grants include: Dearborn County: $5,204 Aurora Emergency Rescue Unit – Lockable Filing Cabinet CARE Team of Dillsboro/Food Pantry – Griddle, Grill, Banner, Casters, and Storage Cabinet First Baptist Church of Dillsboro – Back to School Bash School Supplies Franklin County: $2,000 St. Michel School – Playground Equipment Jefferson County: $12,610 Milton Township Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. – Firefighting Gear Replacement Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Southeast Indiana – Laptops and Software Friends of Ohio Theatre, Inc. – 3D Printer Shawe Jr/Sr High School Theatre Department – Stage Lighting and Audio Equipment Ivy Tech Community College-Madison – AED(s) Big Oaks Conservation Society – Author Kevin Lovegreen Visit and Presentations Jennings County: $4,270 Jennings County Council on Domestic Violence – All-in-One Office Copier Senior Resource of Jennings County, Inc. – Food Ohio County: $5,000 Rising Sun SAY Soccer – Uniforms, Balls, Pennies, Field Paint, Etc. Rising Sun volunteer Fire Department – Auto Extrication Tools Ripley County: $14,060 Milan Volunteer Fire Department – Build SCBA Air Tank Stock Holton-Otter Creek Volunteer Fire Department – Flashlights and Flagpole Town of Osgood – Stand-alone Emergency Generator Ripley County Humane Society – Furnace Shelby Christian Church – Travel Expenses to Perform Skits Safe Passage – Support Pet Crates, Carriers, and Supplies New Marion Fire Department – AED, Pagers, and Batteries Switzerland County: $4,286 Ohio Valley Youth Boxing Club – Boxing Equipment Switzerland County Emergency Response (SCER) – Computer Tablets The Operation Roundup Board of Trustees meets twice a year to review grant applications and select the recipients. The nine-member board of trustees is appointed by the REMC board of directors and consists of one representative from each of the seven counties in the REMC’s service territory and two REMC representatives. The next opportunity to receive an Operation Roundup grant is January 2022. Applications will be accepted in December 2021. For more information about the Operation Round Up program visit www.seiremc.com.

Have you ever noticed your lights blink during a thunderstorm? Or perhaps you’ve noticed a blinking microwave clock when you arrive home. When this happens, you’ve likely experienced a brief disruption to your electric service which could result from a power surge or blink. While the symptoms of surges and blinks can appear similar, what’s happening behind the scenes can be quite different. What is a power surge? Power surges are brief overvoltage spikes or disturbances of a power waveform that can damage, degrade or destroy electronic equipment within your home or business. Most electronics are designed to handle small variations in voltage; however, power surges can reach amplitudes of tens of thousands of volts — this can be extremely damaging to your electronic equipment. Surges can be caused by internal sources, like HVAC systems with variable frequency drives, or external sources, like lightning and damage to power lines and transformers. Southeastern Indiana REMC encourages all members to install surge protective devices (such as surge protector power strips) to safeguard your sensitive electronics. If you’re experiencing frequent surges in your home or business and you believe the cause is internal, contact a qualified electrician to inspect your electrical system. What’s a power blink? Power blinks are also brief service interruptions, but they’re typically caused by a fault (short circuit) on a power line or a protective device that’s working in reaction to the fault. Faults can occur through a variety of instances, like squirrels, birds or other small animals contacting an energized power line; tree branches touching a power line; or lightning and other similar events. In fact, when it comes to power disruptions caused by critters, squirrels reign supreme. In 2019 alone, squirrels were responsible for more than 1,200 outages. Any of the events noted above can cause your power to blink, but you may also experience a brief interruption when protective devices that act like circuit breakers are working to detect the fault. Believe it or not, these brief power blinks caused by protective devices are actually good because that means the equipment is working as it should to prevent a prolonged outage. Regardless of the cause, Southeastern Indiana REMC crews will be on their way to inspect the damage and make necessary repairs after a power outage. And you can help too! Any time you experience repeated disruptions to your electric service, please let us know by calling 800-737-4111 or through the SmartHub app.

Most adults have a vague memory of a time when “checking for messages” meant listening to an answering machine. We carried on with our days without relying on cell phones and managed just fine. But today, we are more connected than ever through our smart phones and other devices. Our phones are so much more now––from cameras to calendars to social media connections––and truly disconnecting from them can be tough. But it’s even harder for our kids to unplug because they only know life with these tiny screens. It’s difficult for them to imagine life without computers, gaming devices, tablets or cell phones. But there’s great value in unplugging for children and adults, even if it’s for just a short period of time. For kids, time away from the screen to be outside with other children allows them to connect with nature and others in a way that a virtual experience simply does not allow. They are able to experience life in the moment and allow their creativity and energy to break free. Fortunately, we have access to great community programs and organizations that provide children with a safe place to play, learn and grow, while cultivating new skills and interests. These types of clubs and programs offer kids an opportunity to explore activities and interests outside of school academics. Children can investigate areas they might not otherwise have access to and discover new interests and passions. They often learn new skills and strengthen existing ones. It’s no secret that the broader the range of experiences and activities children are exposed to, the more likely they are to find their own path and possibly a career. Community programs also foster important leadership development and public speaking skills. Through guided and informal play and activities, children learn problem-solving and interpersonal skills that enable them to resolve conflicts peacefully and improve interpersonal relationships. Adults can also find meaningful opportunities to spend time with the kids when we all unplug. From board games to craft projects to playing in the park, there are many ways we can unplug for some family fun. While you and your children are disconnecting, take a moment to identify potential energy savings. Unplug electronics that are not in use to avoid “vampire” energy loss. This is the energy that is drained from technology and electronics even when they are not in use. For example, although it is turned off, your TV is waiting to receive a signal from the remote and your DVR is waiting to record the next show or perform an update. Let’s encourage youngsters to step away from the screens and join in. To play and be part of an organization that helps them connect with others and find meaningful interactions and explore new activities and interests. When you do plug back in, Southeastern Indiana REMC is here to help you save money and energy by connecting you with our energy saving programs and services. While we’d love to see you in person, we’re also just a call or click away.

Interested in transitioning to an electric vehicle? Electric cooperatives are investing in EV programs to help you reach your goal. It’s another way they’re working for you. Many co-ops have implemented educational outreach programs and instituted EV and home charger rebate programs. Some provide home installation services. Plus, tailored electric rates can be offered for off-peak EV charging. Though public charging presents new challenges for managing the grid, it also provides opportunities. That’s why electric co-ops must be early partners in the evolving EV environment to ensure new public and fleet vehicle charging stations in co-op communities don’t jeopardize the delivery of the safe, affordable and reliable power on which you depend. Look for the electric utility industry to be a major player in transforming economic sectors like transportation and agriculture as the need for more electricity grows. According to a National Academies of Science study, the transportation sector alone will require a 170% increase in electricity generation by 2050 — plus a three-fold expansion of the transmission grid. With electric vehicle use increasing, the successful buildout of robust EV charging infrastructure in rural America is critical. As more and more EVs begin traveling highways and byways, expect more creative partnerships between electric co-ops, the federal government, and other stakeholders. How the postage increase is affecting your electric co-op Electric cooperatives serve some of the most remote and economically disadvantaged communities in the state. This comes with certain challenges. The latest: postal rate increases well above inflation. The new rates — which took effect on Aug. 29 — will impact the bottom lines of electric co-ops, which use the U.S. Postal Service for critical functions like billing, distributing director election materials and meeting notices, and mailing other important communication to members. Some state laws require mailed notices for certain communication, and a lack of adequate internet service in many rural areas means moving billing and other outreach to online-only is not always a viable option. The Postal Service increased rates for nonprofit marketing mail by an average of 7.8%. Until recently, the agency had been required by law to tie increases to inflation, which has been about 1.5% to 2% in recent years. But a new Postal Regulatory Commission ruling allowed the USPS to deploy a new pricing formula that is far more onerous to nonprofit groups, according to a report by the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers (ANM). Increases included 5.7% for first class letters, 10.4% for flats (including magazines and newsletters) and 8.6% for parcels. It’s vital that communication remains affordable for millions of electric cooperative consumers, but the USPS appears to be targeting rural areas with unprecedented increases well beyond anything we’ve seen in the past. Maintaining Cyber, Physical Security are High Co-op Priorities Protecting the nation’s electric power grid and ensuring an affordable, reliable, and secure supply of electricity are top priorities for electric cooperatives like Southeastern Indiana REMC. The North American power system is incredibly complicated. System owners and operators, who have the greatest expertise in responding to and mitigating potential threats and vulnerabilities, are working together across the industry and with government agencies to prepare for existing and potential threats to the electric grid’s reliability and security. The electric sector uses a defense-in-depth strategy to protect critical assets. Through this approach, a variety of hazards to electric grid operations, including severe earth and space weather, cyber incidents, vandalism and other natural and manmade events can be addressed. The electric power sector continuously monitors the bulk electric system. If an event impacts consumers, this strategy, combined with experience from decades of lessons learned maintaining and supplying power to the country, has resulted in more efficient restoration of power. Electric cooperatives work closely with government agencies on critical infrastructure protection matters, including sharing needed information about potential threats and vulnerabilities to the bulk electric system. Sources: https://www.cooperative.com/programs-services/government-relations/Documents/Legislative%20Issues/20210416%20EV%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf https://www.electric.coop/unprecedented-mail-rate-hike-could-hit-co-ops-and-statewides-hard https://www.cooperative.com/programs-services/government-relations/Documents/Legislative%20Issues/Grid%20Security%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

Operations Coordinator Carroll White REMC From both sides now Diana Martinez used to be a “face” of Carroll White REMC as the member services representative working closely with consumers who had billing issues and questions. Now, she’s made a 180-degree shift. As operations coordinator, she literally and figuratively has gone from front to back: from the front offices to the back operations; from helping individual consumers on their side of the meter to helping bring that electricity to all the meters. In the operations position she’s finding more responsibility working closely with the line superintendent, dispatching a service crew or crews when there are outages, processing work orders, working with mapping and staking engineers. She still gets talk to consumers, she noted, mostly by phone. “There are a lot more calls to answer — especially after a storm. But the job duties definitely changed.” When the previous operations coordinator announced her retirement in 2018, Diana applied. “I wanted to learn more about the other side of the REMC. Being a member services representative in the front, I helped members. But I wanted to see what happens out in the field with a line crew and get that background, as well.” She quickly familiarized herself with the technical ins and outs of electric operations. “There are a lot of things that now make sense when I answer the calls about blinking lights or why this or that happened. When someone calls in about a line down, now I know not just what to ask but why I’m asking it. Before, I didn't really have a whole lot of knowledge with that. But you could ask me anything about payments, and I could tell you,” she noted with a wink at the defensiveness. “I definitely do like knowing both sides now.” Diana said one of the great things about working at her hometown REMC is the opportunity to find new professional challenges without leaving town or even changing employers. “There's always room for growth. You can reach other goals you would like to achieve,” she said. “I absolutely love that because then you already have a relationship with all the employees, you know the different departments and what they do and how they all interact with each other. REMCs are great places to work, very family oriented, and there are always opportunities to grow.” CAREER SUMMARY Diana Martinez’s cooperative career began in the front office, working with consumers paying for their electrical service. But she jumped at the chance to shift gears to the back of the building and delve into the operations keeping that service flowing. TIMELINE 2011 — Hired at Carroll County REMC (now Carroll White REMC) as member services representative. Responsibilities included working with consumers paying bills; processing payments and revenue; handling fees; working with and organizing financial documents. 2018 — Moved to operations coordinator of the cooperative. Responsibilities include answering outage calls; dispatching line crews; processing work orders; maintaining equipment inventory; working closely with line superintendent, mapping and staking.

Take care when charging your electric vehicle Do you recall all the safety rules you were taught about refueling when you first learned to drive: Shut off the engine; don’t smoke; don’t leave the pump unattended; don’t overfill? If you are among the growing number of drivers sliding in behind the wheel of an electric vehicle, different “refueling” considerations apply. The most basic electrical safety lesson is that electricity and water don’t mix. However, EVs and their charging stations are designed to handle whatever Mother Nature throws your way, be it dust or rain. However, there are precautions to think about when charging an EV whether you are in your garage or at a public charging station. “You might not have to worry about spilling gasoline or setting off an explosion at the pump,” said John Gasstrom, CEO at Indiana Electric Cooperatives. “But, just as when you use anything electric, there are a few things to keep in mind.” Using a level 1 charger plugged into your garage’s 120-volt/15-amp outlet is the easiest way to charge your vehicle, though it is the slowest. Always use the charger provided by the vehicle’s manufacturer. Before you plug into any electrical outlet, have a qualified electrician inspect and verify the electrical system (outlet, wiring, junctions and protection devices) for heavy duty service according to your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Check the electrical outlet and plug while charging and discontinue use if the electrical outlet or plug is hot, then have the electrical outlet serviced by a qualified electrician. In addition, when charging always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. Some of the most common are: Do not use extension cords, multi-outlet power strips, surge protection strips or similar devices. Do not use an electrical outlet that is worn or damaged, or one that will not hold the plug firmly in place. Do not use an electrical outlet that is on a circuit with other electrical loads. The level 2 electric vehicle equipment utilizes 240 volts and 20 to 40 amps. These will recharge the car more quickly. You will probably need to have a qualified electrician install the charger and a separate service and plug at your home, similar to the 240 service for an electric range, water heater or clothes dryer. Before using a public charger, always inspect it first to make sure it doesn’t appear damaged. EV charging stations are designed so the cable remains de-energized until it’s connected to the port on the vehicle. Once connected, the vehicle starts communication with the device, conducting measurements to determine everything is safe and working properly, and only then will it begin the flow of energy.

Electric cooperatives do more than provide electric service; they serve your communities, too. It is fundamentally important for electric cooperatives to improve the overall economic health, vitality and quality of life in the communities they serve. Cooperatives are community focused and work to improve the sustainability and well-being of their local and surrounding communities. Co-ops are invested in the communities they serve, giving their time, money and expertise to build local economies. While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for community development through policies accepted by their members. That’s why they host a yearly Community Day, when they work collectively to make a positive impact on our state. Each year on the second Friday of October, each of Indiana’s electric cooperatives determines a need within its service area. Then, employees work as a team to complete the project. The day provides an opportunity to focus on the good work electric cooperatives do in their communities and it also gives your cooperative a chance to give back to the community it serves. Working side-by-side, Indiana’s electric cooperatives demonstrate one of the core cooperative principles: concern for community. More than 40 unique service projects are typically completed in a single day every year. Co-ops also do things for the community like spearhead “fill the backpack” programs to help underprivileged kids going back to school and sponsor scholarships for high school seniors. The statewide Youth Power and Hope Awards annually honor community-minded middle school students in the state. Electric cooperatives support their communities because it is fundamentally important to them. Why Tax Incentives are Key for Energy Innovation Electric cooperatives work hard to meet today’s energy needs and future development plans. But they are often handcuffed by a restrictive tax code and high costs associated with implementing new technologies. Developing clean energy resources and innovative technologies carries significant capital expense. As not-for-profit businesses, electric co-ops pay state and local taxes, but most are tax exempt for federal income tax purposes. Because of this, electric cooperatives do not have access to the same federal tax incentives as for-profit businesses and are disadvantaged when implementing innovative technologies. All costs incurred by the co-op are passed on to you, its consumer-members. This includes constructing and maintaining electric generating facilities, and transmission and distribution systems. Electric co-ops are making significant regionally specific investments that are transforming their energy supply. But co-ops’ investments in emerging energy technologies could be enhanced if they received comparable incentives and could access direct pay options in lieu of tax credits. Currently, to access these funds, cooperatives are forced to enter into complex and expensive contractual agreements with third-party developers, who, in return, claim these credits. As not-for-profits we receive only a small portion of the tax incentives, as a majority goes to the investors or developers. Our goal is to push Congress to allow for rural electric cooperatives to benefit from the savings of direct payment of energy tax credits. The more capital spent in our local communities ensures more local jobs, local control of projects and further cooperative investment in the communities we serve. Federal policies should incentivize innovative and sustainable energy technologies, so co-ops’ consumer-members aren’t left holding the bag. What Happens to a House Divided? The Indiana House of Representatives and Indiana State Senate are controlled by whichever political party has a simple majority of members. Since 2011, both the House and Senate have been controlled by Republicans, although control has flipped between parties throughout the General Assembly’s history. But there is one unique instance where control of a chamber has been shared by both parties. In 1988, House Republicans and Democrats each won 50 seats in the chamber, creating an even split for the first time in the Legislature’s then-172-year history. Both parties came to an agreement they would split leadership, with Republican Rep. Paul Mannweiler and Democratic Rep. Michael Phillips serving as co-speakers in what the New York Times called the “Speaker du jour” plan. The House would again be split 50/50 in 1996. But, but due to a law passed the previous year, Democratic Rep. John Gregg would assume control of the chamber as sole speaker. A plaque hanging in the House commemorates both sessions of “divided” governance, although only one instance can be noted as a true split. Source: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1988/11/25/756488.html?pageNumber=20

Vice President of Member Services Northeastern REMC A legacy of support Jaime Walker came out of college 12 years ago as a bit of a crusader with an altruistic goal. “This is gonna sound really, really cheesy,” she said, “but I feel as if I was put on this earth to help people.” Since then, she’s pressed her degree in communications, culture and journalism into a career that’s stayed true to her goals within Indiana’s electric cooperative family. Walker grew up a city kid with no knowledge of what an REMC even was, until she applied for the member service director job open at Steuben County REMC, headquartered in Angola, Indiana. "When I saw the job description, it fit a lot of my skill sets and what I wanted to do,” she said. “Truly, what drew me in was the charter of the electric co-op. The reason we exist, the reason we do the things we do is because we're taking care of our members.” At Steuben, as at most co-ops, the “member services” position was a bit of a jack-of-all trades position that evolved with technology over the decades and the changing electric utility industry. Walker took the position into new directions that included more marketing programs, social media and web design. “I didn't build the line, and I didn't bill the electricity. I did everything in between” is how she described the position. She also had the opportunity to participate in many of the leadership and employee development programs cooperatives offer, which sets them apart from so many other types of businesses. In 2019, she became the vice president of member services at Northeastern REMC headquartered in Columbia City, just west of Fort Wayne. The consumer base of Northeastern REMC differs in that it serves a more suburban membership. “I wanted to take on a new challenge, something I hadn't done before.” At Northeastern, she now oversees the billing department and supervising a department that’s had up to nine employees. “That was the part that scared me the most,” she said. “I knew I could learn how the system operates. I knew I could learn the differences in policies and rates and things like that. By the time I retire, I probably won't know everything about billing, but if I can retire from here and have inspired them to do the best they can, or for their personal growth, then that's all I really care about.” “People can have a legacy with cooperatives. They can make a difference. And they can really improve the lives of our membership. It's not just a job, it's more of a calling.” CAREER SUMMARY Jaime Walker came out of college wanting to help people and improve lives. She found that opportunity working for electric cooperatives. TIMELINE 2011 — Hired at Steuben County REMC as director of member services where she handled marketing, communication, the website, social media, events, community relations, grassroots, patronage capital, youth programs, Operation Round Up and more. She also supervised the energy advisor. August 2019 — Hired at Northeastern REMC as vice president of member services. Her responsibilities include managing member service representatives, key accounts, overseeing billing procedures, patronage capital, customer service, and more.

Director of Fiber Operations JCREMC/JCFiber When Nick Stainbrook joined JCREMC in 2001, he came in as a 19-year-old local kid waiting his turn to become a lineman. But he had to wait in line for an apprentice position to become available. So, for the first year and a half, his position meant taking care of the JCREMC building, cleaning, mowing grass, pulling weeds. Twenty years later, Stainbrook is now heading up the engineering and operations for JCFiber, the electric cooperative’s young fiber subsidiary. He supervises six engineers and techs as the Franklin-based cooperative joins others across the state on the “splicing” edge of bringing high-speed internet to rural Hoosiers. “I love the challenge,” said Stainbrook, now 40. “When I first took it on, it was definitely mind boggling how fiber optics work and how you handle them vs. the electric. It’s definitely a different animal than what I was used to.” Stainbrook worked nine years for JCREMC as a journeyman lineman after graduating from the four-year lineman apprenticeship program. Then, in 2015, he accepted a staking engineer position which began his introduction to fiber. The cooperative had installed fiber to tie its substations together as the electric utility industry became increasingly driven by information and reliant on real-time analytics. The employee who handled the fiber for the cooperative announced his plan to retire, which allowed him to mentor his successor. Stainbrook stepped up. “At that point, we had no real idea of what it was going to turn into,” he said. “We were connecting equipment and connecting substations, but we weren’t really selling it a whole lot to customers. I just raised my hand and said ‘I’ll do it,’ and didn’t really realize what I was getting into.” By 2018, JCREMC’s new CEO saw a need for high-speed fiber internet for residential and commercial consumers in the electric cooperative’s service area. Pilot programs were put in place and marketed, and Stainbrook was named director of fiber operations for the cooperative’s new JCFiber subsidiary. JCFiber now serves over 700 residential and 120 commercial customers. A multi-phase plan announced at the end of 2020 should bring service to an additional 5,000 JCREMC members over the next four years. Looking back, Stainbrook shakes his head while pondering the unbelievable changes within JCREMC and within himself in 20 years. Now, with a bachelor’s degree under his belt he’s managing a new side of the business that is helping bring a better experience to his community. “To land where I’ve landed — in such a good job with a cooperative — and then having the versatility to go into the fiber industry and, pretty much, lead the charge … most people don’t get those kind of opportunities. It’s been a blessing,” he said. “When I first started here at 19, I barely understood what the cooperative did. It was one of those things where you put in for a job and got it. And it turned into a career.” CAREER SUMMARY Nick Stainbrook joined Johnson County REMC as an entry-level building maintenance worker and then became a lineman. Now, he oversees a team of six engineers as the cooperative’s fiber subsidiary builds high-speed fiber internet service throughout its territory. TIMELINE 2001 — Hired at JCREMC as a utility man while waiting for an apprentice lineman position to open; handled building maintenance, custodial duties, mowing, pulling weeds, etc. 2002 — Promoted to apprentice lineman; began a four-year apprenticeship program. 2006 — Graduated as journeyman/lineman; joined line crew building, maintaining and repairing power lines. 2015 — Became a staking engineer; worked with engineers and homeowners to locate and relocate service lines; worked on smaller line rebuilding projects. Began learning about fiber “ring” installed at the co-op’s substations. 2018 — Promoted to fiber project supervisor; began marketing JCREMC’s new fiber installations and working with commercial fiber customers and on a residential fiber pilot project. 2019 — Promoted to director of fiber operations; oversees new JCFiber subsidiary installing fiber in JCREMC’s service territory and serving its growing commercial and residential fiber customers; supervises six engineers.

Locally owned businesses are the backbone of our community. With summer in full swing, now is the perfect time to make sure your building is equipped for maximum energy savings. LED lighting for your business allows you to maintain your preferred brightness levels while keeping energy costs low. And don’t forget about your outdoor lighting options as well as timers for automatic, overnight shutoff. Check any refrigeration to ensure it is running optimally and keeping items cool without setting the thermostat lower than necessary. Keep up with regular maintenance and freon refills to ensure safe and longer-lasting inventory. Electric motor-driven systems account for about 25% of all commercial energy use. For larger operations, variable speed drives may be necessary to optimize your energy consumption. Unplug all unnecessary or unused appliances and electronic equipment. Many of these devices continue to draw power even when they are turned off. Advanced power strips are a smart, low-cost upgrade. Make sure your HVAC system is sized correctly for your business space. If it is not, this could lead to inefficient operation or insufficient cooling. Southeastern Indiana REMC’s energy advisors can help you evaluate your existing system. These tips can help you lower your energy use while keeping your operations humming. Southeastern Indiana REMC knows that your bottom line is important when making these business operations decisions. If these or other energy-saving adjustments require purchases, be sure to check out our rebates section about ways to save. As your local electric cooperative, we would be happy to come to your office, warehouse, or storefront to conduct a comprehensive energy audit to make sure you’re maximizing every dollar. Contact us at 800-737-4111 to set up your energy audit today.