Delta-Montrose Electric Association

DMEA/Elevate is pleased to announce the permanent appointments of Bob Farmer as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Jay Suckey as Chief Information Officer (CIO). Both individuals have demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise in their interim roles, earning their official appointments to these key positions, effective immediately. ? Bob Farmer, joined DMEA in 2022 as Chief Information Officer and has served most recently as Interim CFO.?Bob has provided outstanding financial oversight and strategic guidance, and along with his extensive leadership experiences he will continue to strengthen DMEA/Elevate’s fiscal stability and support sustainable growth in his role as CFO. ? Jay Suckey, previously serving as Interim CIO, has played a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s IT initiatives and enhancing digital infrastructure. As CIO, Jay will lead technological innovation and operational efficiency efforts, ensuring robust systems and processes to support the cooperative’s long-term objectives. ? “These appointments reflect the hard work, dedication, and talent that Bob and Jay bring to our leadership team,” said Jack Johnston, CEO of DMEA/Elevate. “Both have earned these permanent roles through exemplary service, and we are confident they will continue to drive our organization forward.” ? DMEA/Elevate congratulates Bob Farmer and Jay Suckey on their well-deserved new roles and career milestones.

Friday Night Lights for the Win Bringing Members Together for National Cooperative Month A new tradition has taken root in the heart of Montrose and Delta counties, bringing communities across our service area together through exciting competition. Sponsored by DMEA and?Elevate Internet, Friday Night Lights transformed four high school football games and one high school volleyball game into vibrant celebrations of local pride and spirit. DMEA and Elevate covered the cost of admission for each game, donated $2,000 to each school's technology department, and handed out school-specific swag, creating a unique and spirited experience for the whole community. https://lnkd.in/gC5mbTti

DMEA announced the appointment of Sarah Abbott as its first-ever in-house General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer. In this role, she will oversee the company’s legal affairs, compliance strategies, human resources, and records management. She began her position on September 16, 2024. Since last year, Sarah served as external General Counsel through the Ireland & Stapleton law firm. Her extensive experience and dedication have proven invaluable, and DMEA is excited to bring her on board in a full-time capacity. “I’m excited to officially welcome Sarah as our first-ever in-house General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer,” said Jack Johnston, Chief Executive Officer of DMEA. “Her experience and deep understanding of our business will be crucial in driving our commitment to excellence as we serve our growing community.” Additionally, effective October 1, Kent Blackwell, serving previously as Chief Technology Officer, assumed the role of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). In this new position, he will oversee a broad range of critical functions, including Elevate operations, grants, marketing and communications, member engagement, customer service, legislative affairs, warehouse and facilities management, and fleet operations. This strategic leadership transition is designed to enhance organizational efficiency and align resources to better serve members and the community. “Appointing Kent as Chief Administrative Officer reflects a commitment to streamlining operations and enhancing member engagement,” said Johnston.?“Kent’s leadership and expertise will be instrumental in driving our continued growth and success as we expand our services and deepen our impact on the community.”

?? DMEA Celebrates Groundbreaking for Garnet Mesa Solar Yesterday, Tuesday, July 23, marked the much-anticipated groundbreaking for Garnet Mesa Solar, an 80-megawatt agrivoltaic solar facility located just a few miles southeast of Delta. DMEA, along with Alluvial Power and the Delta County Commissioners, commemorated the occasion, highlighting the benefits of local affordable energy production. “Our goal is to provide safe, reliable, and affordable power, in that order. And Garnet Mesa Solar enhances all of them. It is our hope to bring forth other such initiatives in the future,” stated Johnston during his welcome remarks. Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/g4Ku_fGe

The JOLT Northwest Colorado Energy Summit brought together new and familiar faces. On day one of the conference, speaker Robin Lunt, Guzman's Chief Commercial Officer, shared insights on community-driven energy transition, focusing on effective strategies and regulatory challenges. Mateusz Pena, Chief Engineering & Energy Resources Officer at Delta-Montrose Electric Association, also spoke. Mateusz gave an overview of the cooperative's energy transition, including planned solar arrays and existing hydropower resources, all while delivering stable power rates for their member owners! Attendees were also able to engage with DMEA leadership and board members including Kent Blackwell, Ryan S., Jock Fleming, Steve Metheny, and Kevin Williams. Guzman Energy is proud to serve as wholesale power provider for DMEA! Thank you, JOLT organizers, for a fantastic event. See you next year!

$10K Elevate Internet Foundations for the Future Grant Now Open 2024 program targets organizations that support senior citizens June 21, 2024 – Elevate Internet has announced its 2024 Foundations for the Future Grant cycle, which provides one $10,000 grant to a local non-profit organization that directly improves the quality of life for senior citizens. Elevate is accepting applications online through Sunday, June 30 at https://lnkd.in/gcnBFFip. The 2024 recipient will be announced in August. “Our Foundations for the Future grant is extra special for us because it embodies our employees’ commitment to serve and uplift the local communities. We are grateful for the opportunity to support other organizations that share that same dedication,” said Jack Johnston, DMEA/Elevate Chief Executive Officer. Read the full Press release here: https://lnkd.in/gb8dywzW

Another Big Win for Local Solar Energy: DMEA Secures $72M in USDA Funds JUNE 17, 2024 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA) was one of two Colorado recipients of its Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program. DMEA was selected to receive a partially forgivable $72 million loan to fund the construction of a 20-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic array with an additional 80 megawatt hours (MWh) of battery storage. “This is a monumental win for DMEA and our members. This investment not only enables us to produce affordable energy, further stabilizing member rates, but it also improves local grid reliability. The energy we generate right here at home can be efficiently delivered to our members, bypassing the reliance on distant power plants and extensive transmission lines,” said Jack Johnston, DMEA Chief Executive Officer. Read full press release here: https://lnkd.in/g558UEg8

DMEA Lineworker Helps Electrify Guatemala In December 2023, DMEA had the privilege of participating in NRECA International, a volunteer initiative that works to improve the quality of life around the world by providing millions of people with access to safe, reliable, and affordable electricity. Larry Donathan, DMEA Equipment Technician Foreman, spent 12 days working in the rural mountainous villages of Guatemala, helping bring electricity and light to almost 200 different homes and families. Read his full story: https://lnkd.in/gzzUiAaj #DMEA #NRECA #Guatemala

On November 10, 2023, DMEA’s Board of Directors appointed Steve Metheny as the District 2 board representative. No stranger to DMEA, Steve spent 38 years as a cooperative employee playing a significant role in energy efficiency, engineering, hydroelectric generation, and the creation of Elevate Internet, DMEA’s fiber internet subsidiary. Steve retired from DMEA in 2018, but it didn’t last long, and he now currently serves as the Director of the Montrose Campus for Colorado Mesa University. Welcome, Steve! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gffSvdW2

DMEA Equipment Technician Foreman, Larry Donathan (pictured left), is part of a team bringing electricity to 197 people in 38 villages in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. Joined by an electrician from Holy Cross Energy and others from Arkansas and Oklahoma, the crew, part of a collaborative project between Colorado Rural Electric Association, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, and Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, left on December 3 for a two-week mission. This initiative, supported by NRECA International and Heifer International, aims to electrify rural areas lacking basic amenities like running water and electric appliances, a mission aligning with the electric cooperatives' history of illuminating rural America. The project also raised over $10,000 for school and hygiene supplies for these households. We are immensely proud to support this impactful initiative and extend our heartfelt admiration to Larry for his dedication and hard work in bringing essential electricity to these communities in Guatemala. #DMEA #CREA #RuralElectrification #PowerForAll