The Power of Connections

CHAPTER FIVE

DRIVEN BY INNOVATION

Electric cooperatives offer state-of-the-art technology to better serve members with cutting edge programs. They help co-ops forge relationships with business members through educational events, web conferences, and ongoing communications. O n a blustery day in January 1989, Keith Stone hopped into a used Chevy Citation to begin his new job as a meter reader at Cuivre River Electric. The position required him to drive from house to house logging the monthly electric use of individual co-op members. “We had a terrible snowstorm that day and I got stuck numerous times, so I had to call servicemen to pull me out,” recalls Stone, who now serves as the vice president of economic development & corporate services. “I think I only got 12 meters read the first day. I thought for sure I was going to get fired.” neighborhoods. “In the early days, members would go out and read their meter, write it down, use a chart to calculate their use, and send in a check,” recalls former general manager/CEO Dan L. Brown. “Then a group of us started reading meters for members and we hired part-time meter readers. At one time, I think we had as many as 55 people who read meters from two to four days a month.” When the cooperative began employing full-time meter readers, the new role provided Stone and other enterprising individuals with a foot in the door that led to future career development opportunities. “You started as a meter reader hoping you’d get an apprentice lineman position and work your way up through the co-op. Being scared of heights, that wasn’t a real good career path for me, so I was shooting for a member services marketing gig instead,” says Stone, who has a background in journalism and marketing. Stone served as part of an eight-person, full-time, meter-reading team that covered the entire four-county service area. Before 1972, CREC relied on members to read their meters as well as a small group of members who functioned as part-time meter readers within their

Keith Stone has been with CREC since 1989, and, as of 2021, serves as the vice president of economic development & corporate services. Photo from Lyle Whitworth Photography

52 Cuivre River Electric Cooperative