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NREDA "Weathers" Storm and Hosts the 20th Successful Annual Conference
By Rick Nelsen, CEcD, NREDA First Vice-President
Not even the threat of Tropical Storm Ida and a downturn in the economy could dampen the spirits of the attendees at the 2010 NREDA Annual Conference. From start to finish the event lived up to its theme "Positioning Rural America for Success!" with an enthusiastic line up of speakers and ample networking opportunities.
As you will read elsewhere in this newsletter and in future editions, the top notch presenters provided insight and information that we can use to "position" our organizations and communities. The conference kicked off with the answer to the question, "Can Small Towns Be Cool?" — (the answer is a resounding YES!) and ended with "The Importance of Being Enthusiastic and How It Can Benefit You". Over the course of the two days, conference attendees were given ideas and tools to put into practice at home. Other topics covered during the conference included "Asset Mapping Techniques," "Developing a Community-Wide Brand", "Defining Broadband and How to Get It Done in Your Community", "Social Networking", "Economic Development Through Diversification", "Entrepreneurship Strategies" and "A Look Behind The Board Room Door During the Site Selection Process". The breakfast address by USDA Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager was another conference highlight.
 HENRY FISCHER, MINGYAR & TIM MOOD – ED LEADERSHIP AWARD  HENRY & MARY LOGAN WOLF – PRESIDENTS AWARD |
Tim Mood, VP of Economic Development, Electric Power Associations of Mississippi, was awarded the 2009 Rural Economic Development Leadership Award by Awards Chairman Dennis Mingyar (Buckeye Power, OH). Long–time newsletter editor Mary Logan Wolf was recognized with the President,s Award from NREDA President Henry Fischer (St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership, MN).
2010 NREDA Board of Directors & Officers
The 2010 Officers and elected Directors were recognized at the conference by Nominating Committee Chair Pat Merritt (Georgia Electric Membership Corp, GA). The slate included President Rick Nelsen (Nebraska Public Power District, NE), 1st Vice President Eric Phillips (Union County Economic Development Partnership, OH), 2nd Vice President Tom Lambrecht (Great River Energy, MN) and Secretary-Treasurer Dana Baker (GVNW Consulting, CO). Re-elected to the board was Hondo Powell (Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, TX). Merritt announced newly elected directors Jim Vermeer (Corn Belt Power Cooperative, IA) and Randall Jones (Lumbee River Electric Cooperative, NC). Chad Lowder (Tri-County Electric Cooperative, SC) was introduced as a presidential appointment to the board to fulfill the term of Fred Baughman who had to leave the board due to a job change. President Fischer also thanked outgoing board members Pat Merritt and Mark Gaddy (Berkeley Electric Cooperative, SC) for their years of service to the organization.
Conference Evaluation
2009 Annual Conference Chair, Rick Nelsen, stated after the conference, "Based on comments I have heard from attendees, NREDA hit the mark again with our annual conference! Professional development and networking are two things valued by our members and the conference committee strived to provide that again this year." Nelsen went on to say, "We couldn,t have done it without our sponsors, the conference committee and AML staffers, Lynn Harkin and Sharyn Baudler. A firm belief in rural America and teamwork is what made this conference a success."
Mark Your Calendar
Members are encouraged to mark their calendars for the 2010 Conference titled, "Sustainable Development in Rural America", to be held in Portland, Oregon on July 10-13. Watch future newsletters and the NREDA website for details.