When I last wrote to you, I was only three days into my role as the new CEO of Jasper County REMC. Now, having been on the ground with the cooperative for a month, I can say my time here has only deepened my respect for this organization, its history, and the communities we serve. Stepping into a new chapter naturally brings change. For any organization, transition can feel a bit scary or unsettling at first. It pushes us out of our comfort zones. But if we approach it together, change presents a tremendous opportunity for everyone involved to grow, improve, and build a stronger foundation for the future.

As your CEO, my leadership is anchored in a firm commitment to three vital groups: our membership, our cooperative, and our hard-working employees. True success isn’t about prioritizing one over the others; it’s about establishing a clear vision where all three are aligned. When we balance the needs of our members, the operational health of the co-op, and the well-being of our staff, everyone wins. This vision ensures we create an environment where our team thrives, our operation stays resilient, and you receive the best possible service. Achieving that balance is exactly what drove our latest decision. Moving forward, we are retiring the separate “Connect” broadband logo. From here on out, our electric and internet teams are completely uniting under a single banner: the Jasper County REMC logo.

Originally, maintaining two distinct brands created an unintended divide, both in the community and right here within our own walls. We have worked hard to bridge that gap, and thanks to our team’s dedication, those lines have nearly faded. Retiring the separate logo isn’t about looking backward; it is about fully closing that chapter and removing any lingering misconceptions. We are not two distinct entities operating under one roof. We are one team. Our tagline says it best: “One cooperative providing two essential services.” Whether we are restoring your power after a storm or keeping your household connected to high-speed internet, the same cooperative values and dedicated people drive the work.

Unifying our identity reminds our members that the trusted cooperative that has kept the lights on for decades is the same team delivering world-class broadband. Thank you for welcoming me so warmly into the Jasper County REMC family. Change sometimes requires us to adjust our sails, but with a shared vision and a unified team, our future is incredibly bright.