(NEW ORLEANS, La.) —Robert T. “Tom” Jones, former CEO of Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association in Tempe, Arizona, has won the Clyde T. Ellis Award from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).
Jones served for 23 years as chief executive officer of the Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association. During his tenure as CEO of the statewide association, Tom was the face of rural electrification throughout the state of Arizona.
“Under Tom Jones’ leadership as CEO of the Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative, the co-op association instituted safety and loss control training and engaged with state and federal regulatory agencies on policies affecting co-ops. Jones’ efforts exemplify dedicated service to the rural electrification program,” said NRECA Interim CEO Jeffrey Connor.
In addition to chairing NRECA’s Rural Electric Statewide Managers Association, Jones also served on the Touchstone Energy board of directors.
The Clyde T. Ellis Award memorializes NRECA’s first general manager (CEO). NRECA Board of Directors confers the award to honor individuals for exemplary contributions that promote the principles and progress of rural electrification and the development and use of national resources.
More than 6,000 representatives from electric co-ops across the nation are attending NRECA’s Annual Meeting, Feb. 14-17 to set NRECA’s legislative and organizational agenda for 2016. Delegates will also hear from NRECA officials, key public figures and business experts about issues affecting electric cooperatives and their consumer members.
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national service organization that represents the nation’s more than 900 private, not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide service to 42 million people in 47 states.