The utility industry has changed significantly over the years and so has Morgan County REA. Our grid is as complex as it’s ever been, with the addition of new technologies and improved equipment. Both the system itself and our day-to-day operations look different than they did 60, 30, or even just 15 years ago.
When I started working here at MCREA as an apprentice lineman in the late 1980s, we were guided by paper maps and hand-drawn staking sheets. At times, it could take hours to locate the cause of an outage, making restoration times much longer. And MCREA meter readers physically inspected and reported usage for each single meter across our entire service area every month.
Now, meters are read instantaneously, GPS has radically improved work in the field, and we have better equipment to build, maintain, and restore our lines. A computer-based monitoring system helps us identify and troubleshoot issues more quickly, improving overall service to our members.
These and other changes have certainly helped us in our mission to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity. Likewise, the knowledge and skills required to operate a modern electric cooperative have evolved as well.
Today, our employees use technology, extensive data, routine inspections, engineering analysis, and high-level training to make informed decisions and proactively maintain our electric system.
Specialized roles like that of a data analyst and field inspection technician have been added — examples of how the cooperative is adapting to meet the changing needs of our industry and membership. Combined with the experience and dedication of our operations, engineering, office services, member services, and administrative staff, they help ensure MCREA remains well-positioned for the future.
One of the greatest strengths of this cooperative is its people. As experienced employees share their knowledge and newer employees develop their skills, we continue to build an organization prepared to meet tomorrow’s challenges while staying focused on serving our members.
Our employees are the best investment we can make for the future. Technology, equipment, and infrastructure are important, but it is our people who keep the lights on, solve problems, serve our members, and carry the cooperative forward. Investing in their development, training, and growth helps ensure MCREA remains strong for generations to come.
I’m proud of our employees and the work they do for this cooperative. Changes will come and the industry will continue to evolve, but our employees’ steadfast dedication to MCREA members will remain the same.
Thank you for your continued support of your electric cooperative.
Dave Frick is the general manager of Morgan County Rural Electric Association, a rural electric distribution cooperative based in Fort Morgan, Colorado.
