Intercounty Electric Cooperative’s new general manager Aaron J. Bradshaw will begin his duties March 15.
Bradshaw is not new to the cooperative world. For more than 12 years, he has worked for Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative Inc. (CHELCO), an electric distribution cooperative serving the panhandle of Florida. It serves 43,000 residents and businesses over a four-county area. As a vice president for the organization, he has overseen Member Service (including six area offices) the Customer Care Center (call center, credit and collections), Marketing, Communications, Economic Development, Human Resources, Employee Development and Safety. Before joining CHELCO, Bradshaw worked as vice president of marketing for a trade show and event marketing firm in Chicago, Ill.
A graduate of University of Mississippi, Bradshaw received a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He has also completed the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Management Internship Program. He also holds a Certified Energy Manager designation from the Association of Energy Engineers.
Bradshaw has been a valuable contributor to his electric cooperative, Intercounty said. His experience and education have provided him with extensive expertise in several areas including: Employee development, strategic planning, marketing, advertising, event management, organizational management, emergency management/disaster planning, managerial accounting, energy efficiency and renewable energy.
As Bradshaw reflects on his respect for electricity and the role it plays in our daily lives, he adds, “People expect a higher standard of service when they rely on something for so much, and that’s what makes co-ops great. They connect us not just with wires, but as members with a say in how the service is provided. It tends to make co-op employees focused on how to best serve the members. I know that Intercounty Electric Cooperative Association has a very good reputation for dedication in service to their membership and that is a tradition I hope to continue.
I believe that the purpose of an electric cooperative is not just to distribute electricity, but also to bring value to the lives of its members, employees and those in the communities it serves. Through community involvement and support, a cooperative should always strive to make life better for its members.
The underlying goal of any cooperative should be to maximize its members’ overall satisfaction by best balancing reliability, cost and service. For me, this is a reflection of what members actually want. In my opinion, it boils down to three basic things. They want the lights to come on when they flip the switch, they want their bills to be reasonable (a good value for what they receive), and they want to be able to talk to a friendly person who cares about helping them when they have a problem.”
The Bradshaws, Aaron and his wife, Donna, (a teacher) and 9-month-old daughter, Harper, look forward to moving back to an area where they can enjoy the full four seasons. Aaron spent many summers growing up in Springfield so the move will bring him closer to family and friends. In his spare time, Aaron enjoys fishing, reading, writing and spending time with family. He adds, “In a way, this feels very much like coming home. I am very much looking forward to becoming a part of the IECA family as well.”
On Bradshaw’s arrival, Jack Rinne, who has filled in as interim general manager since the departure of Dwayne Cartwright last October, will step down and continue with his duties as the manager of operations and maintenance. Intercounty says it appreciated Jack stepping up to the task to carry the co-op on seamlessly. His leadership, and hard work, is reflective of his dedication to his cooperative and its members, it says.