Board & Governance

As a cooperative business, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation exists to benefit our members and we strive to operate in their best interests.

In this section, you'll find important information about your Board of Directors: fellow members you elect to represent you. You'll also find governance documents, policies and other information that helps fairly and responsibly guide the cooperative. We encourage you to review these resources to help you learn more about how a cooperative is structured to benefit its members.

Your Board of Directors

Jeff Joines

PRESIDENT
JEFF JOINES

CALDWELL DISTRICT

John F. Wishon Jr. (Johnny)

VICE PRESIDENT
JOHN F. WISHON JR. (JOHNNY)

ALLEGHANY DISTRICT

Kelly Melton

SECRETARY-TREASURER
KELLY MELTON

CALDWELL DISTRICT

James Burl (J.B.) Lawrence

ASSISTANT SECRETARY-TREASURER
JAMES BURL (J.B.) LAWRENCE

WATAUGA DISTRICT

Representation by District:

Alleghany District

Bryan Lee Edwards

DIRECTOR
BRYAN LEE EDWARDS

Mitch Franklin

DIRECTOR
MITCH FRANKLIN

John F. Wishon Jr. (Johnny)

DIRECTOR
JOHN F. WISHON JR. (JOHNNY)

Ashe District

David Boone

DIRECTOR
DAVID BOONE

Cindy Price

DIRECTOR
CINDY PRICE

James Young

DIRECTOR
JAMES YOUNG

Caldwell District

David Eggers

DIRECTOR
DAVID EGGERS

Jeff Joines

DIRECTOR
JEFF JOINES

 

Kelly Melton

DIRECTOR
KELLY MELTON

 

Watauga District

James Burl (J.B.) Lawrence

DIRECTOR
JAMES BURL (J.B.) LAWRENCE

Angie Miller

DIRECTOR
ANGIE MILLER

Thomas E. Trexler (Tom)

DIRECTOR
THOMAS E. TREXLER (TOM)

More Information:

Elections and Voting

WAYS TO VOTE FOR YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

VOTE ELECTRONICALLY:

Members have the convenience of voting online to elect their board of directors.

While members may still attend and vote for directors at the Annual Membership Meeting or by mailed proxy, the electronic voting option is designed to provide a more convenient opportunity for members to be involved in their cooperative. With a service area stretching from the foothills into the mountains and across seven counties combined with busy family schedules, this option enables members who can’t attend the annual meeting to vote for their board of directors.

Members who chose to vote electronically will receive the Notice of Annual Meeting along with instructions relating to online voting in May of each year.

Director Election Kit Sign Up

 

VOTE BY MAIL:

Members have the convenience of voting by mail to elect their board of directors.

Each year in May, the Notice of Annual Meeting and director election materials are mailed to all members, including information on candidates and a proxy form for members to make their selections. To vote by mail, the form must be signed by the member and returned in the enclosed postage-paid envelope by the date specified in the packet. The proxy must be mailed; it cannot be given to an employee or accepted at any Blue Ridge office.

While members may still attend and vote for directors at the Annual Membership Meeting, the vote-by-mail option is designed to provide a more convenient opportunity for members to be involved in their cooperative. With a service area stretching from the foothills into the mountains and across seven counties combined with busy family schedules, this option enables members who can’t attend the annual meeting to vote for their board of directors.

Look for more information about the vote-by-mail option in the director election materials mailing to each member in early May. Prefer to vote online? Follow the information on the top right corner of your copy of the election proxy for steps on how to do so.

 

VOTE AT YOUR ANNUAL MEETING:

As always, members may vote in person at their cooperative’s Annual Membership Meeting held each year in June.

To ensure the integrity of the electronic process, a third-party election management firm was selected by the Credentials and Election Committee. Made up of members from across the cooperative’s service area, this committee is responsible for ensuring elections are properly conducted and certifying director election results.

One advantage of being served by a cooperative is the right to elect peers — other members — to serve on the board of directors to lead and guide their cooperative. The option to vote electronically, by mail, or in person at the annual meeting is designed to provide a better opportunity for more members to take part in this democratic process.

Corporate Documents


  Bylaws  / (updated 03/24/22)  /  Spanish version

  Service Rules and Regulations  / (updated 09/29/23)  /  Spanish version

​​​​​​ ​  Statement of Nondiscrimination

  Annual Report    Past issues

 

AUDITED FINANCIALS

  2021-2022 Blue Ridge EMC and Subsidiaries Consolidated Financial Statements
(Subsidiaries include: Blue Ridge Energies, LLC, and RidgeLink, LLC)

  2021-2022 Blue Ridge Electric Members Foundation, Inc. Financial Statements

  Conflict of Interest Policies

  Conflict of Interest Policies – Procurement and Contract Administration

  Codes of Conduct

  Cooperative Form 990               ​  Members Foundation Form 990 * 
*Historical forms can be found on Guidestar.com.

Cooperative Principles

Voluntary and Open Membership

Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership.

Democratic Member Control

Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership.

Members’ Economic Participation

Members contribute equally to, and democratically control the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative.

Autonomy and Independence

Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.

Education, Training and Information

Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation.

Cooperation Among Cooperatives

Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

Concern for Community

While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.

Our Guiding Purpose, Vision and Core Values

Guiding Purpose:
Making Life Better

Vision:
Be the Best

Core Values:
Honesty and Integrity
Exceptional Member Service
Commitment to Safety of All Employees/Environmental Stewardship
Excellent Reputation
Respect and Appreciation for Employees
Commitment to Community and Cooperative Principles

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Statement on Social Responsibility