Department of Labor Recognizes Blue Ridge Electric and Blue Ridge Energies for Safety

For Immediate Release 

Contact: Renee R. Whitener, Director of Corporate Communications, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, Phone: (828) 758-2383, Pager 800-471-1323, or E-mail:  Renee Whitener

Lenoir, North Carolina (July 11, 2003) – Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation and its subsidiary, Blue Ridge Energies, were recognized for an outstanding safety record during North Carolina Department of Labor’s 46th Annual Western North Carolina Safety Awards Banquet held Tuesday evening in Morganton.

Cherie Killian Berry, Commissioner of Labor, presented Blue Ridge Electric and Blue Ridge Energies with several awards from the Department of Labor during its annual recognition of state public agencies and private firms that maintain excellent safety records for the preceding year.

Employee teams lead the safety program at Blue Ridge Electric and Blue Ridge Energies with oversight and coordination of safety programs and training provided by Ronnie Jewell, safety and training manager. Blue Ridge Electric and Blue Ridge Energies employ nearly 250 people across its service territory in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, Alexander and Catawba counties.

Accepting awards on behalf of Blue Ridge Electric’s offices that were recognized for safety records were: Cornelia Cornell, safety committee member representing the corporate office in Lenoir; Ronnie Barker, safety committee member for Ashe district office, Kenny Teague, safety committee member for Ashe district office; and Matthew Lawson for Alleghany district office. Larry Wagoner accepted the award on behalf of Tim Story, safety committee member representing Blue Ridge Electric’s Caldwell district office.

Accepting safety awards for Blue Ridge Energies were: Mark Parsons, representing the Watauga office; John Miller, who accepted the award on behalf of Martha Shell, safety committee member for the Lenoir office; and Ronnie Jewell, who received awards for the Ashe and Catawba offices on behalf of safety committee members Steve Harless, of Ashe County, and Eugene Church, of Catawba County.

Blue Ridge Electric is a not-for-profit cooperative providing electric service to some 65,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes and Alexander counties. Its subsidiary, Blue Ridge Energies, serves residents and businesses with propane, home heating fuels, and commercial gasoline from offices in Lenoir, Boone, West Jefferson, and Hickory. For more information visit www.BlueRidgeEMC.com and www.BlueRidgeENergies.com. 



News Room Main